Wisconsin Lawmakers Approve Bill Overturning 48-Hour Waiting Period for Handguns

Wisconsin's legislature voted this week to do away with the decades-long law of forcing customers to wait 48 hours before purchasing a handgun.

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Republicans and Democrats in the state legislature sparred over whether to lift the law that requires customers to wait 48 hours before purchasing a handgun.

Those in favor of the law argue that it allows people in fits of rage to calm down before purchasing a firearm, but those who oppose the bill argue that because background checks are performed so efficiently, the 48-hour waiting period has become an inconvenience for law-abiding citizens.

"The bill is being made out to be something more than it is," Rep. Romaine Quinn (R-Rice Lake) said in a statement. "You still have to pass the background check. You can't be a criminal. This allows law-abiding citizens to take a gun home the same day. We can't tell law-abiding citizens they can't do that."

Democrats argued during the Assembly floor that removing the 48-hour hold would allow people to commit crimes of passion.

"I don't know how many more women have to die," Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) argued. "I don't know how many more kids have to be murdered for us to do something about this."

Republicans shot back by arguing that women may need to immediately purchase a gun to protect them from domestic violence.

The bill that would remove the 48-hour waiting period will now go to Republican Gov. Scott Walker's desk for approval.