Gifford Law Center Highlights Wisconsin’s C Grade on Gun Safety Laws

Gun Control Group Gives Wisconsin a 'C'

Monday’s shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison has one gun control group focused again on Wisconsin’s gun laws.

The Giffords Law Center on Tuesday said Wisconsin is in the middle of the pack when it comes to its gun safety laws.

“Yesterday, the Madison community experienced something no one should ever have to go through: a mass shooting at a school. Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and survivors of this horrible tragedy. Too many communities across Wisconsin have experienced the devastating pain of gun violence, but elected leaders can take action to prevent future shootings," Giffords Executive Director Emma Brown said.

Brown said Wisconsin gets a C grade.

Giffords ranks Wisconsin 22nd out of 50 states for Gun Law Strength, and 35th out of 50 for the state's Gun Death Rate. Overall, Giffords says Wisconsin has 12.7 gun deaths per 100,000 people. That is 8% below the national average.

Giffords says 741 people die from gun violence in Wisconsin each year.

The report card says Wisconsin saw "No significant gun legislation passed in 2024."

"Strong gun laws have been proven to save lives. The Annual Gun Law Scorecard provides a road map for elected leaders, activists, and concerned Americans to fight for a future where gun violence is a rarity rather than an everyday occurrence,” Brown added.

Madison Police say a 15-year-old student, identified as Natalie "Samantha" Rupnow, shot and killed a teacher and a student, and wounded six others before she took her own life Monday.

It’s not clear how Rupnow got the handgun she used in the crime.

It’s also unclear just what law the Giffords group would like to see Wisconsin adopt. It’s also not clear if any new law, short of a total ban on guns, would have stopped Rupnow’s shooting spree.

A number of Wisconsin’s elected Democrats on Monday called for new gun control laws, including Rep. Supreme Moore Omokund, D-Madison.

“I am deeply saddened that we have another one of these dark moments in our country involving our young people. It is our job as policymakers to make sure that we keep firearms out of the hands of people that should not have them," he said. "Of course we send our ‘thoughts and prayers’ to those impacted by this tragedy, but we are once again reminded that they simply aren’t enough. We must do more.”

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin added-on.

“We need gun violence prevention policies that live up to our values. In the shadow and grief of this day, Democratic Party of Wisconsin is grateful to the first responders who leapt to save lives, and we send our deepest condolences to the victims, the survivors, and their families,” the Party said in a statement.