MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Latest on Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers‘ gun control bills (all times local):

11:10 a.m.

The Legislature’s top two Republicans say Democratic Gov. Tony Evers wants to take people’s guns away.

Evers said during a news conference Thursday that he would consider mandatory buybacks for assault weapons. Democratic presidential candidate and former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke has been pushing the idea in the wake of mass shootings in his hometown of El Paso and in Ohio last month.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos issued a joint statement following Evers‘ news conference saying Evers revealed Democrats’ real agenda: taking away guns that are lawfully owned. They called the idea unacceptable and said it shows how radical Democrats have become.

Republicans have long insisted that restricting access to guns won’t solve mass shootings. They say the answer lies in better mental health care.

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10:40 a.m.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers says he would consider mandatory buybacks for assault weapons.

Democratic presidential candidate and former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke has been pushing for mandatory buybacks on the campaign trail. Republicans have balked at the idea.

Asked if he supports mandatory buybacks during a news conference Thursday to introduce a red flag bill, Evers said he would consider the idea. He didn’t elaborate, saying he was focused on trying to get the red flag bill and a universal background check bill that Democrats introduced last month passed.

The measures come in the wake of mass shootings in Texas and Ohio. The proposals have virtually no chance of passing the Republican-controlled Legislature. The Wisconsin GOP has said restricting gun access won’t stop mass shootings and attention should instead focus on mental health.

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9:05 a.m.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Democratic lawmakers are introducing a “red flag” bill that would allow judges to seize guns from someone determined to be a threat.

Evers unveiled the proposal Thursday. It comes after the governor and fellow Democrats introduced a universal background check bill in August. The proposals come in the wake of several mass shootings across the country.

The bills have virtually no chance of clearing the Republican-controlled Legislature. The GOP has long insisted that restricting access to guns won’t stop mass shootings and would infringe on Second Amendment rights. They say the answer is focusing on mental health.

Evers has floated calling a special session on the bills but the move would be mostly symbolic. He can’t force Republicans to take up the proposals.

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