Bill > SB503

This bill establishes a Safe Firearm Disposal Incentive Grant Program administered by the Department of Justice, which will provide $200,000 in grants annually to counties or law enforcement agencies that implement safe firearm disposal programs. To be eligible, these agencies must create a plan to advertise the program, have law enforcement personnel administer it, securely store and ultimately destroy received firearms (or transfer historically significant firearms to the state historical society), and implement robust safeguards against fraud and unauthorized firearm transactions. Grant recipients must inspect firearms on-site using a licensed firearms dealer, ensure any payment is made via gift cards that cannot be used to purchase firearms or ammunition, and submit detailed reports about the firearms collected. The program includes legal protections for individuals turning in firearms, making them immune from prosecution for firearm possession violations while participating in the program. Additionally, the bill authorizes a 0.75 full-time equivalent position to manage the grant program, with $85,000 allocated for personnel costs in each of the fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. By July 1, 2028, the Department of Justice must submit a comprehensive report to the legislature detailing the program's implementation, outcomes, and recommendations for improvement.

Justice

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb503