Barnes served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly before he was chosen as the running mate to now-Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. In 2013, during his time as a state legislator, Barnes joined two other Wisconsin Democrats in drafting legislation to ban hollow-point bullets and so-called "assault" rifles, as well as require concealed carry permit applicants to undergo a psychiatric exam.
The bill would have effectively banned deer hunting in Wisconsin, as deer hunting without the use of "non-expanding bullets" is outlawed in the state.
