Republicans control the Wisconsin state legislature and they don't want to do anything about guns, so Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is planning to use whatever leverage he has to press them on it. Evers can’t force Republicans to take up gun bills, but he can call a special session of the legislature at which they’ll have to blatantly and publicly refuse to consider the bills.
Evers has called a special session to convene on Nov. 7, pressing for a universal background checks bill and a “red flag” bill that would allow courts to take guns from people determined to be dangerous. Both bills are supported by 80% of Wisconsin voters. But the Republicans who control the state legislature remain fiercely opposed, so … the bills won’t even get a vote.
That doesn’t mean Evers is giving up, though. He’s not just calling the Nov. 7 special session, he’’s threatening “serial special sessions.” That means if Republicans keep refusing to take action, he’ll keep using what power he has to force them to confront the issue, if only by actively refusing to take action, out in public where everyone can see.