More Constitutional Law news More news in Wisconsin Find Constitutional Law lawyers in Wisconsin
On June 12, 2026, the Wisconsin Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling on a controversial state gun control law, declaring it unconstitutional in a 5-2 decision. The law in question, which was passed by the state legislature in 2024, imposed strict regulations on the purchase and ownership of firearms, including mandatory background checks, waiting periods, and limits on magazine capacity.The court's majority opinion, written by Chief Justice Rebecca Bradley, held that the law violated the Second Amendment rights of Wisconsin residents. Justice Bradley argued that the law placed an undue burden on law-abiding citizens seeking to exercise their right to bear arms for self-defense and other lawful purposes. She also noted that the law failed to provide a compelling government interest to justify the infringement on constitutional rights.The ruling was met with mixed reactions from the public, with gun rights advocates celebrating the decision as a victory for individual liberty, while proponents of stricter gun control laws expressed disappointment and concern about the implications of the court's decision. Governor Tony Evers, a vocal supporter of the now-overturned law, issued a statement expressing his disappointment with the ruling and pledging to work with lawmakers to craft new legislation that would pass constitutional muster.In response to the ruling, several advocacy groups on both sides of the gun control debate announced plans to lobby the state legislature to enact new legislation addressing the regulation of firearms in Wisconsin. The debate over gun control is expected to continue to be a contentious issue in the state, with both sides gearing up for a renewed battle in the wake of the court's decision.The Wisconsin Supreme Court's ruling on the state gun control law marks a significant development in the ongoing legal and political battles over Second Amendment rights in the state. The decision is likely to have far-reaching implications for gun policy in Wisconsin and could serve as a bellwether for future challenges to state gun control laws across the country.