Milwaukee gun show brings controversy amid violent summer
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- For the first time in five years a gun show is taking place in the City of Milwaukee -- this amid a violent summer with a rising number of shootings.
The show, taking place at Serb Hall on Milwaukee's south side, runs Saturday, September 7th to Sunday the 8th.
"I think it's something that Milwaukee was looking to do," said show promoter Tom Hein.
Those attending the show will have an opportunity to look at and purchase guns, as well as learn hunter safety.
"I can see that there's a lot of people who don't have hunter safety and if we can get kids to sponsor hunter safety, that's when you need to plant the seed and get them educated for something later on in life that they enjoy doing," said Hein.
With the high rate of shooting crimes in Milwaukee this summer, State Representative Evan Goyke says he isn't sure this is the time or place for such a show.
"It's ironic, it's sad. We have this major event to celebrate guns and gun ownership and then, at the same time, Milwaukee's been plagued by gun violence this summer," said Goyke.
Goyke says he's not opposed to the show itself, but with what the shows allow in Wisconsin.
"You can walk into a gun show, you or I -- it doesn't matter what our background is -- we can walk in, walk out with a gun, and there'd never be a background check," explained Goyke.
While Goyke and Hein disagree on the law regarding gun shows, they do agree on the problem of violence that is facing Milwaukee.
"I just think there should be something to prevent people with violent tendencies or violent criminal histories from buying guns at a gun show, and currently we don't have those safeguards," said Goyke.
"The crime is very, very bad," said Hein. "But you don't punish the positive part of it by what the negative does."
Hein will be holding additional Milwaukee gun shows in October, November, and January.
Rep. Goyke is hoping legislation gets passed requiring background checks during gun shows in the state.