A new bill making its way through the Wisconsin legislature, SB12, aims to offer a tax break for those purchasing a gun safe. If passed into law, the bill would provide a sales and use tax exemption on gun-safe purchases. The goal is to encourage gun owners to invest in safes, promoting responsible firearm storage and enhancing overall safety.
Mike Shea, the owner of the Family Shooting Academy in Bellevue, supports the bill, stating that it promotes gun safety. “Nobody can argue that having a gun safe for a gun owner is not a good thing, so I see this as a very positive step,” Shea said. He believes that incentivizing safe gun storage is a step in the right direction and could lead to a decrease in accidental firearm-related incidents.
The bill, introduced by Republican Senator Van Wanggaard from Racine, has bipartisan support. Four of the 10 senators who helped introduce it are Democrats. Wanggaard described the measure as “common sense” in a statement last month. He emphasized that this initiative is about safety rather than gun control, aiming to encourage responsible behaviour rather than impose new restrictions.
Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim, a Democrat representing Appleton, echoed the sentiment that the public wants action on gun safety. “This is a piece of what was part of legislation last session that never got a hearing. I think this piece makes sense.
It’s a small step forward, but to entice people to use safer products and have gun safes to keep our guns locked up, I think it’s a valid thing to do, so I’m happy to work in a bipartisan way to support it,” she said. Dassler-Alfheim believes that while more comprehensive measures may be necessary, small legislative steps like this can create meaningful change.
Dassler-Alfheim acknowledged that more work remains in ensuring gun safety, but she believes this bill is a step in the right direction. “Anything we can do to deter guns from getting in the hands of the wrong people is a good choice. There’s plenty of evidence to support that,” she added. She pointed out that secure storage could help prevent theft, unauthorized use, and tragic accidents involving children or vulnerable individuals.
Arlyn Bradley, the owner of Bradley Gun Sales in Denmark, agrees that encouraging gun-safe purchases is a good idea. “Gun safes are kind of expensive, and this would encourage people to buy them a little more,” he said.
While he believes most gun buyers have already decided whether they will purchase a safe, he sees the bill as a positive gesture toward responsible gun ownership. The financial incentive, he suggests, might sway undecided buyers to prioritize a safe along with their firearm purchase.
“Even if it saves a few people from getting shot, it would definitely help. It’s not a cure-all for everything, but it’s a step in the right direction,” Bradley added. He noted that many responsible gun owners already secure their firearms, but reducing the financial barrier could help bring more people on board with best practices for storage.
The bill will undergo a public hearing before legislators decide whether to proceed, but supporters believe it should face little opposition. Given its bipartisan backing and the broad agreement on the benefits of secure storage, lawmakers are optimistic about its chances of passing.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has already expressed his support for the bill. “We do it. We do it in a nanosecond. See, that’s a good example,” said Evers in January. “There are things out there that aren’t a threat to the Second Amendment. So, let’s do it.” His remarks reflect a broader effort to find common ground on gun-related legislation without infringing on constitutional rights.
Supporters hope this measure will encourage more gun owners to invest in safes, ultimately making Wisconsin communities safer by preventing unauthorized access to firearms. Research has shown that safe storage can reduce gun-related suicides, unintentional shootings, and thefts, making it an important public safety consideration.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), a firearm industry trade association, has also backed initiatives promoting responsible gun ownership. They argue that secure storage is a crucial aspect of gun safety and have supported similar measures in other states. If Wisconsin’s bill passes, it could set a precedent for other states to adopt similar tax incentives for firearm storage solutions.
Few critics of the bill argue that a tax exemption may not be a strong enough incentive to change behaviour. They suggest that more comprehensive measures, such as mandatory safe storage laws, could be more effective. However, proponents counter that any effort to promote safer gun storage should be welcomed and that this bill provides a voluntary, incentive-based approach rather than a regulatory mandate.
As the public hearing approaches, lawmakers and stakeholders will continue to debate the potential impacts of SB12. Advocates remain hopeful that it will pass, emphasizing that even small steps can make a difference in preventing gun-related accidents and ensuring responsible firearm ownership.
If the bill is approved, it could be implemented within the year, allowing Wisconsin gun owners to take advantage of the tax break soon. Many believe this is a step in the right direction for gun safety in the state, and the bipartisan support behind it signals a willingness to find common ground on firearm-related issues.
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