Crime & Safety

Updated: Gun Safety Advocate Says Gun Discharge Was Not an Accident

The chairman of the non-profit organization says it was negligence. The off-duty officer was a police supervisor.

The chairman of Wisconsin Carry, Inc. says that accidental discharge of a gun by a Milwaukee Police officer in Southridge Mall was not accident, but negligence.

On Wednesday afternoon inside l while reaching into his pocket to retrieve money in front of on the second level of the mall.

It was only one day after the conceal and carry law went into effect that the gun was accidently discharged in a public area.

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Nik Clark, Chairman of Wisconsin Carry, Inc., said in a letter, "As an organization that promotes safe carry in the manner of a law-abiding citizens choosing, we find it concerning that both the Greendale Police Chief, and Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn refer to the incident as a “freak accident” and an “complete accident” respectively."

Clark said that the officer should have had his gun in a holster.

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"We are confident that as large numbers of Wisconsin residents apply for and begin to exercise their human and constitutional right to self-defense under Wisconsin’s new concealed carry law they will not follow the example set by this Milwaukee Police Officer and instead visit their local gun store to research the variety of holsters available for conceal or open carry which will prevent negligent discharges like this Milwaukee Police officer’s from happening," he said.

Milwaukee Police Ed Chief Flynn told Fox6Now, "He was not trying to take any action. He didn't engage in any tomfoolery.  He was examined and found fit for duty by two separate police agencies.  It's an accident and the investigation will continue."


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