Badger Guns of West Milwaukee is going to cease to sell firearms as of the end of the year. Badger has been a target of antigunners for a long time. The Brady Campaign has used it's deep pockets to destroy another gun dealer.
There had been two suicides using rental guns in their firing range within a period of couple of weeks. This happened a year or two ago and Badger responded by ceasing to rent guns. Even though it wasn't their fault that two nuts, the 2nd being a copycat, committed suicide there, they tried to do the right thing.
Badger's big problem was that guns that they sold were traced to a lot of crimes. Antigunners claim that Badger encouraged straw sales. This is BS, but I'll get to that later. 4 Milwaukee cops have civil lawsuits against Badger claiming that the officers were shot with guns that were straw purchased from Badger. I come from a family of NYPD officers, so I feel for these officers. That said, I think the cases are misguided.
Badger happens to be located in an area where a lot of inner city poor folks go to buy their guns. There is a criminal element in this population. Badger cannot help this. Do they turn someone down for a firearm purchase because of the way they look? That would be racial/age/etc discrimination. Unless Badger knowingly sold guns in straw purchases, I cannot blame them. They even prohibit cell phone use in the store in an effort to keep thugs out.
I know the owner, Adam pretty well. He is a good guy. He always goes out of his way to work with you on price. He is the only local dealer who will give you a good price on trade in and sales. I've personally seen him turn down suspected straw sales numerous times over the last 3 years. His dad and brother work there as well and would always give free range time to me. The other salesman was ex special forces and very very knowledgabe. The gunsmith was also very cool, fixing minor stuff for no charge. I was never lead astray or pressured into the wrong gun. In fact, The owner got me to try CZs, now my favorite semi auto gunmaker (S&W & Colt too).
This is a sickening day for us gun guys. It is also questionably an act of discrimination to pressure Badger to close it's doors, as Badger has a lot of African American customers. I am not someone who uses racism as a crutch (I am a white male). In fact I abhor the excuse and playing of the race card in a frivalent way. In this case, it is clearly true.
I wish Adam, Wally, Mike, Milan, and Butch well. God bless.
There had been two suicides using rental guns in their firing range within a period of couple of weeks. This happened a year or two ago and Badger responded by ceasing to rent guns. Even though it wasn't their fault that two nuts, the 2nd being a copycat, committed suicide there, they tried to do the right thing.
Badger's big problem was that guns that they sold were traced to a lot of crimes. Antigunners claim that Badger encouraged straw sales. This is BS, but I'll get to that later. 4 Milwaukee cops have civil lawsuits against Badger claiming that the officers were shot with guns that were straw purchased from Badger. I come from a family of NYPD officers, so I feel for these officers. That said, I think the cases are misguided.
Badger happens to be located in an area where a lot of inner city poor folks go to buy their guns. There is a criminal element in this population. Badger cannot help this. Do they turn someone down for a firearm purchase because of the way they look? That would be racial/age/etc discrimination. Unless Badger knowingly sold guns in straw purchases, I cannot blame them. They even prohibit cell phone use in the store in an effort to keep thugs out.
I know the owner, Adam pretty well. He is a good guy. He always goes out of his way to work with you on price. He is the only local dealer who will give you a good price on trade in and sales. I've personally seen him turn down suspected straw sales numerous times over the last 3 years. His dad and brother work there as well and would always give free range time to me. The other salesman was ex special forces and very very knowledgabe. The gunsmith was also very cool, fixing minor stuff for no charge. I was never lead astray or pressured into the wrong gun. In fact, The owner got me to try CZs, now my favorite semi auto gunmaker (S&W & Colt too).
This is a sickening day for us gun guys. It is also questionably an act of discrimination to pressure Badger to close it's doors, as Badger has a lot of African American customers. I am not someone who uses racism as a crutch (I am a white male). In fact I abhor the excuse and playing of the race card in a frivalent way. In this case, it is clearly true.
I wish Adam, Wally, Mike, Milan, and Butch well. God bless.
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