What if the Democrats had the governorship, and both houses of Wisconsin’s legislature:
Shortly after election, the governor announces a bill banning handguns, conceal and carry, and enacting every other gun regulation that could possibly be constitutional. Wisconsin would have the tightest, most restrictive gun laws in the country.
The bill is set up to pass in less than one week, with only cursory public hearings, and no negotiation. “The safety of the public cannot be negotiated away,” says the governor.
The newly elected governor did not campaign on restricting gun laws.
The “gun safety repair” bill also includes provisions to allow the governor complete administrative control over the budgets of state family planning agencies. “Studies have shown that crime rates dropped when abortion was made safe and legal,” says the governor, citing Steven Levitt’s book, Freakonomics.
I contend that this scenario is roughly equivalent to what the Republicans are doing with collective bargaining.
Would there be protests? Of course.
Would the minority, Republicans in this case, leave the state to prevent a quorum on the legislation? Of course.
Never mind that passing tough gun control laws and enforcing them would make this a much safer, saner country.
We’re talking about rights. Rights cannot and should not be quickly or easily taken away.