Badger Guns - a Milwaukee policeman's opinion. (Updated 10/22/09)

Many of my readers know that a cousin and good friend of mine is a Milwaukee policeman.  He has been for many years.  He has also done two tours of duty in Iraq and had plans to go back for a third - but his family voiced their dismay at his wishes.  I am not sure at this time if he will indeed return for a third tour of duty.  

Given his vast knowledge from his experiences and work background, I asked him if he would be willing to give me his views on Badger Guns.  I did an earlier post on that establishment - since they have been in the news lately due to the fact that many of the weapons sold at their store seem to end up in the wrong hands.  Click on:  Badger Guns:  A great example of how liberals deal with problems.  to view my original blog.  This write-up deals only with a policeman's views on Badger Guns and is not representative of the Milwaukee Police Department as a whole, nor is it in the same vein as my original post.  I just thought it might be an interesting read.

I will not identify my source of information by name.  (I would not want him subjected to the same love and goodwill my liberal readers send my way on a daily basis...)

Here goes. 

Badger Guns as viewed through the eyes of one Milwaukee policeman

"Badger Guns does a good business.  They do tend to attract scum, due to their location.  They are the closest gun store to the city of Milwaukee.  Actually, as I understand it,  the store itself is located in West Milwaukee, while the parking lot is in Milwaukee.  So they are right on the border of the city.  The store has a poor location.  The Shooter Shop - the next closest gun shop - requires buyers to venture further into strange territory.  Badger Guns is easy to access and is on the bus route - a bonus.

Badger Guns needs to filter it's clientèle better.  The guys who work there are fairly helpful, but they are not strict enough.  Straw buyers are hard to bust, but sometimes the straw buyers are very obvious.  One example is the girl who comes in with a guy - black, white, or whatever.  The girl is "buying the gun,"  but the guy looks like a thug, asks all the questions, handles the gun, but the girl buys it.  Big red flag.

It is my estimate that at least 60% of the guns recovered during violent crimes can be traced back to Badger.  The fact that the owner recently put out a sign in front saying that Milwaukee Police were racist for targeting his shop was just childish.  However, the fact is, police actions are hurting his bottom line. 

All these felons (my friend calls them "idiots") feel it is their right to own a gun.  Felons do not have a right to a gun.  One suggestion would be for a felon's parole/probation agent to make it part of their parole/probation plan that they not be allowed in a gun shop.  In some cases, this actually does happen - but is very difficult to enforce. 

Straw purchases are like prostitution.  An old practice - one that is hard to beat.  We need stricter prosecution with strict sentences. 

Badger should make an ID card for entrance.  They need to be more inquisitive.  Ask questions.  Make buyers prove that they are legit. Badger could also run prospective buyers through CCAP (Wisconsin Circuit Court Access) to see if they have a criminal history. 

Most gun shops do have stricter screening rules in place.  Badger needs to tighten up. 

The reality is, gun will always be available.  If a person really wants a gun - they will get one.  Burglary and robbery will always supply the thugs.  If thugs cannot get guns at Badger via straw buyers, they will steal them.  Other felons on the street can provide them.   For many felons, guns are easily accessible from relatives, friends, or fellow thugs.  Sometimes, in the course of investigating a crime, police will find guns that are left behind from dead relatives.  The family may not have even known about the gun, but thug jr. does.  People also forge contacts in prison (or "finishing school" as some like to call it), and know how to get a gun once out.  Many of the experienced criminals in jail or prison know what police can and cannot do about ensuring that felons cannot get firearms once back out on the street.

In summary, I feel that Badger Guns should have their license to sell firearms suspended until they show they will take the necessary steps needed in order to screen their clientèle better.  With the ownership of a gun store comes responsibility.  Selling guns that kill and/or injure police and/or the public requires responsibility.  In addition, a felon's parole/probation officer can address certain issues with the felons they see as part of their job.  Laws must be made to enforce this.  Membership cards are an excellent way to make a gun store more legit.  If a shooter can afford hundreds of dollars for a gun and ammo, he/she can afford a membership card for a few dollars.

-  a Milwaukee policeman, October 18, 2009

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Just recently, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn and the Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm voiced their opinions that allowing concealed carry for Wisconsinites could actually make things safer for everyone.  This about-face from Chief Flynn comes on the heels of dealing with Badger Guns.  Flynn and Chisholm are suggesting that there be stricter requirements for buying guns.  Background checks and eligibility requirements could help cut down on the number of illegal weapons sold.  Now that the Chief and District Attorney have decided to support concealed carry, maybe they can convince Mayor Tom Barrett to see the light.  Out of the fifty states, only Wisconsin and Illinois do not allow for concealed carry.  And both Wisconsin and Illinois have large cities where handgun violence is out of control.  Not by law-abiding citizens, of course, but by criminals - who shouldn't have guns in the first place.  The evidence from other states supports the facts that concealed carry does not turn states into "wild west shoot 'em ups" and indeed cuts down on crime.  Badger Guns may end up being the necessary catalyst which ensures that criminals lose their easy access to guns, and that law-abiding citizens are allowed their second amendment rights - the right to bear arms.  What a concept! 

UPDATE:  10/22/09:

One of my readers asked for my source's view on concealed carry.  I contacted him and here are his thoughts, as a Milwaukee policeman, on concealed carry:

"I feel a concealed carry is long overdue.  As Chief Flynn and DA Chisholm feel  that the concealed carry could make streets safer, I wholeheartedly agree.  My caveat to this is that the people who wish to conceal carry be qualified - like police officers.  Carrying a concealed weapon can lead to great bodily harm.  Better to CYA by having people pass appropriate tests, from psychological to qualification tests.  It is obvious that background checks must be done.  If you are a convicted felon, you have CHOSEN TO LOSE THE LEGAL RIGHT to carry a weapon.  Many, many states have some type of weapon carry law, but not the communist state of Wisconsin.  How long did it take the state of WI to recognize HR 218 - the ability for a former officer to carry a weapon?

The right to carry goes hand in hand with the operation of a gun shop.  If you chose to carry, you should be ready to submit to the appropriate tests.  This is not racism, just plain good ole enforcement.  Yes, I am Caucasian.  The best leader I have ever had was an African American.  No other leader I have fought under has led like this man.  With many law enforcement officers, race is not an issue.  Show me respect and realize that you did wrong, I will let you go, short of some violent crime which you need to be locked up for.

The Police Departments are short personnel, and I do not see cities, villages, and towns hiring more. 

Concealed carry will make thugs thing twice before committing a crime."