Bill
Bill > AB489
summary
Introduced
10/09/2025
10/09/2025
In Committee
10/09/2025
10/09/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Department of Justice to allow individuals to prohibit themselves from purchasing a handgun. Under the bill, DOJ must maintain a database of individuals who voluntarily prohibit themselves from purchasing a handgun. An individual may request inclusion in the database by submitting a request to DOJ. The request must include a method of contacting the individual so that DOJ may verify that the individual made the request. The request must also indicate the length of the prohibition the individual is requesting: a one-year, irrevocable prohibition; a five-year prohibition, the first year being irrevocable; or a 20-year prohibition, the first year being irrevocable. During a revocable period, an individual may remove the prohibition by submitting to DOJ a request for removal. Upon receiving a request for removal, DOJ may not remove the individual from the database until after 48 hours lapse since receipt of the request. The bill also requires DOJ, when responding to a request for a background check from a licensed firearm dealer regarding an individual who is in the database, to indicate that the individual is prohibited from purchasing a handgun. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill creates a voluntary self-prohibition system for handgun purchases managed by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ). Individuals can request to be added to a database prohibiting themselves from purchasing handguns for one of three terms: a one-year irrevocable period, a five-year period with the first year being irrevocable, or a 20-year period with the first year being irrevocable. When submitting a request, individuals must provide contact information so the DOJ can verify their intent. During the revocable portion of the prohibition period, individuals can request removal from the database, but the DOJ must wait 48 hours after receiving such a request before processing it. When a licensed firearms dealer conducts a background check, the DOJ will indicate if the individual is in the database and prohibited from purchasing a handgun. Before removing an individual from the database, the DOJ will also check if the person is otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. The bill includes an appropriation to support administering this new program and will take effect on the first day of the 19th month after publication.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (38)
Clint Anderson (D)*,
Deb Andraca (D)*,
Margaret Arney (D)*,
Mike Bare (D)*,
Brienne Brown (D)*,
Ryan Clancy (D)*,
Ben DeSmidt (D)*,
Jodene Emerson (D)*,
Joan Fitzgerald (D)*,
Kalan Haywood (D)*,
Francesca Hong (D)*,
Alex Joers (D)*,
Tara Johnson (D)*,
Darrin Madison (D)*,
Renuka Mayadev (D)*,
Maureen McCarville (D)*,
Supreme Moore Omokunde (D)*,
Greta Neubauer (D)*,
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D)*,
Lori Palmeri (D)*,
Christian Phelps (D)*,
Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D)*,
Ann Roe (D)*,
Christine Sinicki (D)*,
Lee Snodgrass (D)*,
Angela Stroud (D)*,
Shelia Stubbs (D)*,
Lisa Subeck (D)*,
Angelito Tenorio (D)*,
Randy Udell (D)*,
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D),
Jodi Habush Sinykin (D),
Dianne Hesselbein (D),
Sarah Keyeski (D),
Chris Larson (D),
Melissa Ratcliff (D),
Kelda Roys (D),
Mark Spreitzer (D),
Last Action
Representative J. Jacobson added as a coauthor (on 02/09/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab489 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB489.pdf |
Loading...