Wisconsin Senate Bill SB819

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/19/23
• Refer: 12/19/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Firearm transfers and possession that are prohibited under federal law. (FE)

Impact

If enacted, SB819 would amend existing state laws to ensure that when a person engages in violent behavior that qualifies as disorderly conduct, this will be explicitly noted as a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence if the conduct relates to a domestic relationship. This change would potentially impact many current and future firearm ownership cases by affecting the criteria that the Department of Justice must review when determining eligibility for firearm purchases and concealed carry licenses in Wisconsin.

Summary

Senate Bill 819 seeks to clarify and reorganize the definitions and regulations surrounding firearm possession in relation to certain misdemeanor crimes, particularly those involving domestic violence. It aims to align state law more closely with federal law regarding prohibitions on firearm possession for individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors. By reorganizing statutes related to disorderly conduct and domestic abuse, the bill intends to make clear distinctions in the court records about what constitutes a violent crime under state law.

Contention

Notable points of contention around SB819 might emerge from how the bill reorganizes definitions, which could result in individuals being classified differently under state law as compared to federal law. Opponents may argue that these changes could unfairly penalize individuals for minor offenses by classifying them under more severe definitions while supporters may advocate for the clarity and detailed recording of violent conduct related to domestic situations. The implications of this bill could lead to a heated discussion on the intersection of rights, domestic abuse, and gun ownership rights.