Azana Spa victim's brother urges lawmakers to change gun laws
BROOKFIELD - Five months ago Thursday Zina Daniel and two others were shot and killed in the Azana Spa. Her brother was at the Capitol Thursday urging lawmakers to pass background check legislation.
"I truly believe in the bottom of my heart, had there been universal background check done back then, there's a pretty good chance my sister, Zina, would still be with us," Elvin Daniel.
Emotions are still raw for Elvin Daniel who is grieving his sister who was killed by her estranged husband, Radcliffe Haughton. He bought a gun from a private citizen to avoid a background check--a check he would not have passed.
"I urge our lawmakers, please pass a background check," Daniel said.
The proposal would force anyone selling a gun to do a background check on the buyer. The co-authors of the bill say private sellers could go through a licensed gun dealer to do the background check, and guns given to family members would be exempt.
Democratic lawmakers argue we've seen enough tragedies not to pass this legislation.
“How much longer do we consider dead 6 year-olds, domestic violence victims, and other innocent victims of gun violence on crimes to be acceptable losses? Just collateral damage sacrificed for easy access to guns," said Representative Terese Berceau.
Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn argues guns were used in 75 percent of the homicides in Milwaukee since he’s been chief.
Republicans argue they would rather enforce laws already on the books.
"I would rather go after people who commit crimes in a more vigorous way and make sure they are locked up," said Speaker of the House, Robin Vos.
A Marquette Law School poll just released says 81 percent of Wisconsin residents would support background check legislation.
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