Wisconsin Senate to consider eliminating 48-hour gun waiting period

MADISON (AP) — The state Senate is set to take up a Republican bill that would eliminate Wisconsin's decades-old 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases.

The waiting period was enacted in the mid-1970s. The bill's chief sponsor, Sen. Van Wanggaard, a Racine Republican, says the waiting period was meant to allow time for background checks but the checks now can be done far more quickly with computers and law-abiding citizens shouldn't have to wait for their guns.

Minority Democrats say eliminating the waiting period would allow angry people to get their hands on guns quickly.

The Senate is set to take up the measure during a floor session Tuesday. Approval would send the proposal to the state Assembly. Republican Gov. Scott Walker, a likely 2016 presidential candidate, supports the bill.