State lawmaker wants immediate action taken to address Milwaukee's violence

 MADISON -- After another night filled with gunfire in Milwaukee, one state lawmaker says there's no more time or lives to waste. State Representative Mandela Barnes (D-Milwaukee) said during an interview with CBS 58 Tuesday morning in Madison, he wants Governor Scott Walker (R-Wisconsin) to call a special session so legislators can pass laws that help get guns off Milwaukee’s streets.


\"It shouldn't even wait until we get back into session, we can call a special session about anything.\", Barnes said.


Barnes represents some of Milwaukee’s most violent areas, and says he's done waiting and wants to do something to stop shootings and murders in the city.


\"It's appalling. You have the chief of police, you have the mayor of the largest city in this state calling for action. Yet the people working in this building [State Capitol] are ignoring that issue.\" said Barnes.


He says the bills are already drafted, and were last session.


He says those bills would make universal background checks mandatory for anyone buying a gun, and make it a felony to buy a gun for someone who isn't legally allowed to own one.


\"We're not asking to take away guns, that's not what we want, that's not the issue. The issue is safer streets and the legislature can play a significant role in making that happen.\" Barnes said.


In response to Barnes saying he wants a special session, a spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Burlington) said the speaker's only comment is \"When the laws are fully enforced, then it may be considered.\"


Vos' spokesperson said no other context would be given surrounding that statement.

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