Evers vetoes 'Second Amendment sanctuary' bill and measure to delay redistricting local election maps

MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers vetoed two bills Friday that would have allowed local governments to delay drawing new district lines and attempted to prevent federal gun laws from being enforced in Wisconsin. 

Evers vetoed a bill that would have allowed city councils and county boards to delay drawing new district lines until after the spring 2022 election. Supporters of the measure pointed to delays in U.S. Census Bureau data that local governments use to draw new districts. 

Democrats feared that the bill could set a precedent that would allow delays in redistricting for the state Legislature and Congress — where the political stakes are higher. 

In his veto message, Evers objected to the way Republicans sought to address the issue of delayed data. He said delays would result in "malapportioned maps" that would violate the one person, one vote principle. 

Evers also vetoed a constitutionally questionable measure that would have exempted Wisconsin gun owners from federal firearms laws and required gun manufacturers in the state to include a "Made in Wisconsin" stamp.

Similar measures have been found unconstitutional in other states because state laws cannot override federal ones.

Evers, who has supported stricter gun laws, questioned the bill's legal standing and called for "constructive conversations" on gun safety.