MADISON - The head of the state Senate said Tuesday he planned to quickly end a special session on gun legislation, likely without holding hearings.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau said he would likely gavel out of the session called by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers within moments of convening it.

“It's not going to happen,” he said of holding up-or-down votes on the legislation. “It's just not going to happen.”

Evers called Fitzgerald's plans unacceptable.

"I think that’s an abysmal response," Evers said at a stop in Green Bay. "He has the responsibility to let his Senate vote on this. ... To stand up and say we’re going to gavel in and gavel out, that is not what the people of Wisconsin expect out of their legislative leaders."

Evers on Monday called the special session for next month because Republicans have so far ignored legislation that would require background checks for nearly all gun purchases and establish a red-flag law that would allow police to temporarily take guns away from people who were deemed to be dangerous.

While Evers can force lawmakers to hold a session on his legislation, Republican leaders can end it almost instantly. Fitzgerald signaled that's what they would do, though he noted Republican senators would develop their plans in a private meeting this week.

"You weigh it and then call it into session, and then simply adjourn it," he said of how Republicans could end the session instantly.

Fitzgerald, who is running to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner in Wisconsin's Fifth Congressional District, has said he views Evers' proposals as violations of the Second Amendment right to bear arms.

Polling has shown the ideas are popular — a point Evers emphasized when he called the special session.

"How many times can you go against 80% of the people of the state of Wisconsin ... essentially telling them to go to hell and expect to be re-elected?" Evers said Monday. "It doesn’t make sense to me.”

Fitzgerald said Republicans weren't telling voters to "go to hell" and had legitimate concerns about gun legislation. He said he saw no need for hearings on the bills.

“I don't know what purpose that would serve," he said of holding hearings.

Fitzgerald said there was not other gun legislation that he wants to pursue, but noted lawmakers could consider bills any time between now and the spring if they decide to take up the issue.

"I don't know that there's any bill (on guns) moving through the Legislature right now," he said. "Maybe there is that we would take under consideration, but I'm unaware of it as we speak right now."

In Green Bay, Evers said Fitzgerald should hold a vote so the public knows what legislators think.

"Every Wisconsinite needs to know where their legislator stands on these issues and not hide behind leadership," Evers said.

On Twitter, Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling called Fitzgerald's plans unacceptable.

"It is unacceptable for Republicans in the Legislature to refuse to do their job," wrote Shilling, a Democrat from La Crosse. "How many more sons, daughters, mothers and fathers need to be lost to senseless gun violence before this Legislature will act?”

Also Tuesday, GOP Assembly Speaker Robin Vos of Rochester said on WISN-AM (1130) that Evers was starting an argument with Republican lawmakers “that he’s never going to win” by calling the special session.

Vos told conservative host Dan O'Donnell he would rather work with Evers on legislation meant to help prevent suicide.

A task force Vos convened this year has recommended providing guidance for firearm dealers and range owners on how to avoid selling firearms to people who are contemplating suicide.

Vos dismissed Marquette University Law School polling showing broad support for universal background checks and red-flag laws. Vos said the survey questions were misleading.

“We’re not going to sacrifice people’s constitutional rights because one politician in Madison listening to his very liberal constituency wants us to do that,” Vos said.

In a poll released last month, Marquette used this phrasing for its questions on background checks: "Do you support or oppose making private gun sales and sales at gun shows subject to background checks?"

For its question on red-flag laws, it asked, "Would you support or oppose a law allowing the police to take guns away from people who have been found by a judge to be a danger to themselves or others?"

Charles Franklin, the poll's director, said his survey speaks for itself.

Molly Beck of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report from report and Haley BeMiller of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin contributed to this report from Green Bay.

Contact Patrick Marley at patrick.marley@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @patrickdmarley.