Gun Control Bills Return: What It Means for Law-Abiding Gun Owners

Once again, the political class in Wisconsin has chosen to target law-abiding citizens instead of addressing the root causes of violent crime. In a calculated move right before summer, Wisconsin Democrats have reintroduced a series of bills as part of their so-called “Safe Summer Package.” If you value your Second Amendment rights—as we do at Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, South Carolina—this should raise serious red flags.

Understanding the “Safe Summer Package”

The revived legislative effort includes five gun control bills that Democrats claim are designed to make communities safer. In practice, however, they amount to nothing more than another round of misguided, unconstitutional restrictions on law-abiding citizens. The bills include:

• Mandatory background checks on all firearm sales, including private person-to-person sales.
• Mandatory waiting periods for all gun purchases.
• Safe storage laws requiring the locking up of firearms in private homes.
• Red flag laws allowing temporary firearm confiscation based on accusations, often without due process.
• A legal avenue to sue gun manufacturers and dealers for crimes committed with their products.

Let’s be clear—none of these measures focus on the real issue: criminals who disregard existing laws. Instead, they shift the burden onto responsible firearm owners.

Background Checks and Waiting Periods: A False Sense of Security

We at Fortress Firearms Training believe in responsible firearm ownership, including the use of background checks in commercial firearm sales. However, extending this to private, lawful transfers between individuals creates unnecessary hurdles and criminalizes basic freedom. You shouldn’t need to wait several days—or ask the government for permission—to exercise a constitutional right.

Democrats push the idea that more background checks and longer waiting periods reduce violence. Yet according to the Department of Justice and multiple studies by pro-2A organizations, these measures have minimal impact on actual crime rates. Criminals rarely obtain guns through legal channels, and instead turn to the black market or theft.

Safe Storage Laws: Overreach into Your Home

The so-called “safe storage” component reeks of government overreach. These laws mandate how guns must be stored in your own home, regardless of your personal circumstances or risk factors. While they claim to protect children, they also inadvertently empower home intruders and aggressors—delaying your ability to defend yourself in real-time.

At Fortress Firearms Training, we teach secure and responsible gun storage without needless government mandates. Responsible gun owners don’t need the state to tell them how to manage their own property inside their own homes.

The Red Flag Trap: Due Process Thrown to the Wind

Red flag laws are arguably the most concerning legislation in the entire package. Under these laws, guns can be seized based on an accusation—often without giving the accused an opportunity to defend themselves in court first. This turns the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” on its head and sets a dangerous precedent.

Red flag laws also place strain on local law enforcement, requiring them to play judge and jury while navigating murky legal waters. With such broad powers, this creates the real risk of abuse, whether from vindictive neighbors, disgruntled ex-partners, or political ideologues.

Suing Gun Manufacturers: Shifting Blame

The final proposal in Wisconsin’s package is an overt attack on the firearms industry. It allows civil lawsuits against gun manufacturers and dealers simply because someone used their products to commit crimes—an action that flies in the face of federal protections and basic logic.

Imagine trying to sue a car company because someone used one of their vehicles to commit a hit-and-run. The responsibility for crimes lies with the criminal, not with the tools they misuse. This effort is nothing more than a backdoor attempt to bankrupt and regulate gun companies out of existence.

Targeting the Wrong Audience

So who do these laws really affect? Contrary to the bill sponsors’ claims, the Safe Summer Package won’t be felt by hardened criminals. Instead, it punishes:

• First-time gun owners seeking protection amid rising crime rates.
• Veterans and hunters who enjoy shooting sports or rely on firearms for rural living.
• Parents looking to pass down firearms across generations.

In effect, the Wisconsin Democrats aren’t strengthening safety—they’re criminalizing constitutional freedoms.

Why It Matters in South Carolina—and Across America

While these proposals are in Wisconsin, make no mistake: they are part of a broader pattern. Similar bills routinely pop up in states like California, New York, and even here in South Carolina. Our legislators need to know that we stand ready to protect our gun rights and freedoms.

That’s why continued training, education, and preparedness are so important. At Fortress Firearms Training, we offer comprehensive firearms education, from concealed carry classes to tactical readiness. We equip our community with the knowledge to responsibly own and use firearms while staying ahead of senseless policies like those in the Safe Summer Package.

How You Can Push Back

We can’t sit quietly while our rights erode in the name of “safety.” If you’re concerned about the direction these laws are heading, here’s how you can make a difference:

• Stay informed. Understand what’s happening locally and nationally with gun legislation.
• Contact your lawmakers. Let them know that gun control doesn’t solve crime—it just hinders citizens.
• Train regularly. Knowledge and preparedness are the best defenses against misinformation and fear.
• Encourage others to take responsibility for their own protection through effective firearms training and education.

Preserve Your Rights Through Education

At a time when misguided legislators push for restrictive policies under the guise of safety, one of the strongest tools we have is proper education. Understanding your rights and how to exercise them legally and responsibly is essential.

Don’t wait for your freedoms to be taken before you stand up for them. Whether it’s Wisconsin or Washington, the battle for the Second Amendment is ongoing—and it’s one that we must take seriously.

Fortress Firearms Training is here to support you every step of the way. Our certified instructors, constitutional values, and real-world experience make us a trusted resource for new and experienced gun owners alike. Visit our homepage to learn more about how we can help you protect yourself, your family, and your freedom.

The fight for your rights doesn’t end at the ballot box—it continues through education and vigilance.