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Wisconsin gun shop on trial over illegal sale of weapon used to shoot police Wisconsin gun shop on trial over illegal sale of weapon used to shoot police
(35 minutes later)
A Wisconsin jury was in its second day of deliberations on Tuesday, in a rare case in which a gun dealer was accused of the illegal sale of a weapon that was then used to shoot two police officers.A Wisconsin jury was in its second day of deliberations on Tuesday, in a rare case in which a gun dealer was accused of the illegal sale of a weapon that was then used to shoot two police officers.
Badger Guns, a seller on the outskirts of Milwaukee, “failed miserably” to protect the public when it allowed a 21-year-old to buy a gun on behalf of a friend who was underage and had accompanied him to the store, the jury heard in closing arguments on Monday. The common manoeuvre is known as a straw purchase.Badger Guns, a seller on the outskirts of Milwaukee, “failed miserably” to protect the public when it allowed a 21-year-old to buy a gun on behalf of a friend who was underage and had accompanied him to the store, the jury heard in closing arguments on Monday. The common manoeuvre is known as a straw purchase.
Related: Scott Walker signs two bills making access to firearms easier in WisconsinRelated: Scott Walker signs two bills making access to firearms easier in Wisconsin
The outcome of the civil trial could influence future legal actions against gun dealers or manufacturers after shootings, whether street murders, attacks on police or the kind of school or college massacre that dominates headlines in the US all too regularly.The outcome of the civil trial could influence future legal actions against gun dealers or manufacturers after shootings, whether street murders, attacks on police or the kind of school or college massacre that dominates headlines in the US all too regularly.
A federal law passed in 2005 to protect the firearms industry against being sued by shooting victims, amid strong lobbying by the National Rifle Association, means lawsuits against gun companies usually struggle to get far.A federal law passed in 2005 to protect the firearms industry against being sued by shooting victims, amid strong lobbying by the National Rifle Association, means lawsuits against gun companies usually struggle to get far.
The lawsuit in Wisconsin is believed to be only the second such case to reach a jury in 10 years, following a case in Alaska in the summer which found in favour of the gun shop.The lawsuit in Wisconsin is believed to be only the second such case to reach a jury in 10 years, following a case in Alaska in the summer which found in favour of the gun shop.
In June 2009, Milwaukee police officers Bryan Norberg and Graham Kunisch were both shot in the face when they stopped 18-year-old Julius Burton for riding a bicycle on the sidewalk. The two officers survived, and were in court.In June 2009, Milwaukee police officers Bryan Norberg and Graham Kunisch were both shot in the face when they stopped 18-year-old Julius Burton for riding a bicycle on the sidewalk. The two officers survived, and were in court.
Burton shot the officers with a handgun he had acquired from Badger Guns. He was recorded on surveillance video pointing to a semi-automatic pistol in a display case and saying, “That’s the one I want”, Milwaukee county circuit court heard during the three-week trial. Burton shot the officers with a handgun he had acquired from Badger Guns. He was recorded on surveillance video pointing to a semi-automatic pistol in a display case and saying, “That’s the one I want,” Milwaukee county circuit court heard during the three-week trial.
He then helped Jacob Collins, whom he had paid $40 to make the straw purchase, to fill out paperwork. Burton corrected mistakes on the form, the court heard. The storekeeper helped.He then helped Jacob Collins, whom he had paid $40 to make the straw purchase, to fill out paperwork. Burton corrected mistakes on the form, the court heard. The storekeeper helped.
Both were convicted. Collins ended up serving two years in prison for the illegal purchase. Burton is serving 80 years for the shootings. Both Collins and Burton were convicted. Collins ended up serving two years in prison for the illegal purchase. Burton is serving 80 years for the shootings.
Norberg was shot through the mouth, and Kunisch lost an eye and suffered brain damage. Both officers still suffer from the physical and psychological effects of the incident, the court had heard.Norberg was shot through the mouth, and Kunisch lost an eye and suffered brain damage. Both officers still suffer from the physical and psychological effects of the incident, the court had heard.
Their lawsuit against Badger Guns has taken since 2010 to come to trial and is claiming $10m for the shop’s alleged part in causing the officers’ injuries.Their lawsuit against Badger Guns has taken since 2010 to come to trial and is claiming $10m for the shop’s alleged part in causing the officers’ injuries.
Patrick Dunphy, the officers’ attorney, told the court in closing arguments on Monday that Badger Guns had “failed miserably” to protect the public and that store clerk Donald Flora and shop owner Adam Allan had made a sale that “frankly reeked with doubt”.Patrick Dunphy, the officers’ attorney, told the court in closing arguments on Monday that Badger Guns had “failed miserably” to protect the public and that store clerk Donald Flora and shop owner Adam Allan had made a sale that “frankly reeked with doubt”.
“A gun dealer can’t wash his hands, walk away from his job and turn a blind eye. The risk to the public is too great,” Dunphy said.“A gun dealer can’t wash his hands, walk away from his job and turn a blind eye. The risk to the public is too great,” Dunphy said.
Allan’s lawyer, James Vogts, argued that the store was fully aware of what a straw purchase was and had no reason to believe Collins was illegally buying the gun for someone else.Allan’s lawyer, James Vogts, argued that the store was fully aware of what a straw purchase was and had no reason to believe Collins was illegally buying the gun for someone else.
Burton testified from prison that “everyone” knew Badger Guns was the place to go if you wanted to buy a gun illegally.Burton testified from prison that “everyone” knew Badger Guns was the place to go if you wanted to buy a gun illegally.
The shop had a long history of being involved in sales of guns that ended up being used in crimes, according to an investigation by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.The shop had a long history of being involved in sales of guns that ended up being used in crimes, according to an investigation by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Such crimes included the shooting of several Milwaukee police officers, the newspaper reported, but secrecy laws protected the shop’s identity and a change of ownership within the same family and a tweak of its title to Badger Outdoors helped wipe out previous law violations.Such crimes included the shooting of several Milwaukee police officers, the newspaper reported, but secrecy laws protected the shop’s identity and a change of ownership within the same family and a tweak of its title to Badger Outdoors helped wipe out previous law violations.
The subject of gun safety is almost certain to be raised in the first Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday night, in the wake of the Oregon college shooting earlier in October.The subject of gun safety is almost certain to be raised in the first Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday night, in the wake of the Oregon college shooting earlier in October.