Senate Bill 469 establishes a voluntary program allowing individuals in Wisconsin to prohibit themselves from purchasing handguns. The bill mandates the Department of Justice (DOJ) to create and maintain a database of individuals who opt for this prohibition. Individuals can request to be included in the database by submitting a form that includes their contact information and specifies the duration of the prohibition, which can be one year (irrevocable), five years (with the first year irrevocable), or twenty years (with the first year irrevocable). The DOJ is required to verify the request and will indicate to licensed firearm dealers that the individual is prohibited from purchasing a handgun when a background check is requested.

Additionally, the bill amends existing statutes to incorporate the new database into the firearms restrictions record search process. Specifically, it updates the definition of a firearms restrictions record search to include checks against the new database. The bill also outlines the conditions under which an individual’s information can be removed from the database, including immediate removal if the individual denies making the request or after the expiration of the prohibition term. The DOJ is restricted from disclosing the reasons for an individual's prohibition to firearms dealers.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 175.35(1)(at), 175.35