Criminal Justice (Firearms)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1154: Relating to: firearm transfers and possession that are prohibited under federal law. (FE)

This bill amends Wisconsin statutes to clarify how firearm transfers and possession are prohibited under federal law, particularly in cases involving domestic abuse. It reorganizes and updates definitions of "domestic abuse" and "dating relationship" to include individuals with whom the actor has a dating relationship or resides, ensuring broader protection for victims. The legislation also adjusts related criminal statutes to align with these updated definitions, though it failed to pass in the 2026 session.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens domestic abuse protections by clarifying firearm prohibitions and expanding definitions, enhancing victim safety and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 948: Relating to: storage of a firearm in a house in which a resident is prohibited from possessing a firearm and providing a penalty.

SB 948 requires anyone living in a household with a person banned from owning firearms (due to certain criminal convictions) to store all firearms securely - either in a locked container or with a trigger lock engaged. This applies to all firearms owned by household members who are not prohibited from possessing them. Violating this rule is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class I felony for subsequent violations. The bill directly affects households where one resident is legally barred from firearm possession due to specific felony convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires secure firearm storage in households with prohibited owners, preventing gun violence and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of public safety and crime prevention.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1056: Relating to: firearm transfers and possession, law enforcement and prosecution, victims and witnesses, obstruction of justice, mental health and substance use services, hate crimes reporting portal, fraud, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 1056 is a comprehensive rewrite of Wisconsin's criminal justice laws that creates new funding streams for community policing ($10 million), officer recruitment/retention ($5 million), and violence prevention ($5 million). The bill reorganizes legal provisions related to firearm transfers, domestic violence, sexual assault, hate crimes reporting, and victim services, while establishing specific funding amounts for the address confidentiality program ($180,200). It modifies reimbursement processes for counties providing victim-witness services and creates new alternatives to prosecution for individuals with substance use disorders. The legislation directly affects law enforcement agencies, victims' services providers, and individuals seeking substance use treatment instead of traditional criminal prosecution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $10M community policing, $5M officer recruitment, $5M violence prevention, and $180,200 address confidentiality, explicitly increasing state appropriations for public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $20M for community policing, violence prevention, and officer retention while reorganizing domestic violence/sexual assault provisions to advance reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 952: Relating to: storage of a firearm in a house in which a resident is prohibited from possessing a firearm and providing a penalty.

AB 952 requires anyone living in a household with a person prohibited from possessing firearms (such as someone with certain felony convictions or domestic violence orders) to securely store their own firearms - either in a locked container, a locked location a reasonable person would consider secure, or with a trigger lock engaged. This law directly affects residents in households where one member has a legal restriction on firearm possession. Violating this storage requirement results in penalties: a first offense is a Class A misdemeanor, and repeat violations are classified as Class I felonies. The bill aims to prevent accidental or unauthorized access to firearms in homes where one resident cannot legally own them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires secure firearm storage in homes with prohibited owners, preventing potential gun violence and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 329: Relating to: extreme risk protection temporary restraining orders and injunctions, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 329 creates a $700,000 annual grant program to train law enforcement on filing extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), which temporarily restrict firearm access for individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others. The bill amends background check requirements to include searches for active ERPOs under Section 813.124, ensuring courts and law enforcement verify if applicants are subject to such orders before firearm purchases. It also clarifies court procedures for ERPO cases, including venue rules and extensions of temporary orders when judges are reassigned. This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies (through training grants), courts (via updated procedures), and individuals subject to ERPOs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $700,000 annually for ERPO law enforcement training, directly funding a state program under budgetary allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds ERPO training & background checks for firearm restrictions, advancing gun violence prevention reform within criminal justice system95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Courts Firearms Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 634: Relating to: release of audio and video footage following officer-involved deaths or other critical incidents involving a law enforcement officer. (FE)

AB 634 requires law enforcement agencies to publicly release bodycam, vehicle camera, and relevant audio/video footage within 15 days of specific incidents, including officer-involved deaths, critical incidents (like great bodily harm or death in custody), or firearm discharges by officers. This applies to footage showing actions leading to the incident, though agencies may redact sensitive information like victim identities, medical details, or confidential investigative strategies under defined exemptions. Affected parties, such as identified officers, victims, or families, must be notified 48 hours before release to review the footage. The bill aims to increase transparency while balancing privacy and investigative needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates public release of bodycam footage after officer incidents, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, a key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 487: Relating to: training requirements for a license to carry a concealed weapon.

SB 487 modifies training requirements for concealed carry license applicants and renewers in this state. It expands acceptable proof of training to include out-of-state licenses that document required training, and adds new mandatory training components like suicide prevention, de-escalation techniques, and firearm safety storage practices. The bill requires applicants to submit proof of continuing training (including specific topics like live-fire practice and de-escalation) when renewing licenses. These changes apply to all new applications or renewals submitted on the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds de-escalation and suicide prevention training, promoting safer firearm handling and reducing use-of-force incidents in concealed carry licensing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 330: Relating to: waiting period for purchase of handguns.

SB 330 extends the waiting period for handgun purchases from 48 hours to a maximum of 5 working days when a background check reveals uncertainty about a buyer's eligibility under state or federal law. It requires the Department of Justice to complete its verification within this 5-day window and notify the firearms dealer of the results. This change directly affects handgun buyers whose background checks initially show unclear eligibility and firearms dealers who must wait for the department's final determination. The bill modifies existing statutes to clarify the timeline for resolving ambiguous background check results.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens background checks for handgun purchases to verify eligibility, enhancing firearm safety and preventing potential illegal sales within criminal justice policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 319: Relating to: extreme risk protection temporary restraining orders and injunctions, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 319 creates a new grant program to fund law enforcement training on extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), allocating $700,000 annually for this purpose. It expands background check requirements for firearm purchases to include checks for temporary restraining orders or injunctions under Section 813.124. The bill amends statutes to clarify how courts and law enforcement must verify firearm prohibitions, including checking for ERPO-related orders during background checks. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, courts, and individuals seeking to purchase firearms in Wisconsin.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $700,000 annually for ERPO law enforcement training, directly funding a public safety program through state appropriation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds ERPO training and expands background checks for firearm prohibitions related to extreme risk orders, advancing gun violence prevention in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Firearms Law Enforcement

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signed · Wisconsin · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 5: Relating to: battery or threat to jurors and providing a penalty.

SB 5 amends Wisconsin statutes to improve background check procedures for certain jobs involving vulnerable populations. It requires agencies (like child welfare or healthcare providers) to verify the final disposition of any serious crime charge - specifically including battery or threat offenses under sections 940.20 and 940.202 - when background checks show a potential conviction within the last five years. If records are incomplete, agencies must contact courts to obtain criminal complaint and conviction details. This affects background checks for roles in childcare, healthcare, and other regulated fields, ensuring more accurate criminal history assessments. The bill does not create new penalties but refines verification processes for existing offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens background checks for vulnerable population jobs by requiring verification of serious crime dispositions (battery/threats), enhancing public safety within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms