Politics

Wisconsin Guns Ain't Cheap

Mike Paulus |

Wisconson’s gun-buying consumers might feel part of the state’s economic burden if Governor Doyle’s current budget proposal is accepted. The proposal is, um, drawing fire from state congressmen and other parties who are now, um, hunting to, ahem, blow holes in the plan. From the Chippewa.com

  • [Doyle’s] spending plan would increase background check fees from $8 to $30, a move that could affect tens of thousands of gun buyers. Republicans pounced on the idea. Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, branded it “outrageous.’’
  • “Gun owners should not be unfairly taxed when legally purchasing a firearm to help Governor Doyle balance his budget,’’ Suder said in a statement.
  • Doyle’s budget director, Dave Schmiedicke, said the increase would help offset shortfalls in the background check program and other law enforcement programs funded through offender surcharges.

Even National Rifle Association spokeswoman Rachel Parsons is up in arms, calling the fee “a tax on the constitutional right to own and bear arms.” Man, lately Doyle’s been pissing off everyone – from actors to gun-owners. Nope, it’s not a fun time to be the governor.