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In the wake of dual mass shootings in Texas and Ohio over the weekend, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers called on Republicans to take up new gun control legislation imposing universal background checks and a so-called red flag law.

Evers on Monday joined Attorney General Josh Kaul in offering tepid support for red-flag laws, which permit police or family members to petition state courts to order the temporary removal of firearms from people who present a danger to others or themselves. He also called for background checks that would cover “every sale” of a weapon. Wisconsin currently does not require private sellers to conduct a background check when transferring a firearm. Gun dealers must contact the Wisconsin Department of Justice to conduct a background check to sell a handgun, and the FBI to sell a long gun.

As the governor admitted, any gun-related measures are almost certain to face stiff opposition in the Republican-controlled Assembly and Senate.

“The bottom line is our Legislature has avoided this issue totally,” Evers told reporters in Wauwatosa. “We need to know that the other side is going to take this issue seriously.”