U.S. Senate Committee Hears Testimony On Domestic Abuse, Gun Violence In Wisconsin

Hearing Was For Federal Legislation That Would Enact Gun Control Measures

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The U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Photo: Nicolas Raymond (CC-BY).

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony about domestic abuse and gun violence in Wisconsin on Wednesday.

The hearing in Washington, D.C. addressed federal legislation that would block abusive partners and convicted stalkers from possessing guns, and require criminal background checks for gun sales by unlicensed sellers.

Elvin Daniel testified about the shooting death of his sister, Zina Haughton, and two others at a spa in Brookfield in 2012. Haughton was killed by her estranged husband.

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Daniel said he was at the hearing to speak for his sister, who could no longer speak for herself.

“It has been nearly two years since Zina was murdered, and it is heartbreaking to know that our weak gun laws continue to allow dangerous abusers to buy guns without a background check,” he said.

Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling also testified. At the hearing, Schmaling recounted a few of his experiences responding to domestic violence calls.

“Any cop will tell you that domestic violence calls are the most dangerous calls that law enforcement officers will respond to,” said Schmaling. “The last thing that the victim needs, and the last thing my deputies need, is a dangerous abuser armed with illegal weapons.”

Though Wisconsin passed three domestic violence prevention bills earlier this year, local advocates say there is more work to be done to strengthen the state’s gun laws.

“Here in Wisconsin, we do still have loopholes,” said Jeri Bonavia, the executive director of the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort. “The largest one is one that we’ve been working on for years, and that’s to close the loophole that allows people to buy guns without a background check.”

That loophole would be closed by the legislation discussed at Wednesday’s hearing. Both bills are still in committee.