BY JOHN CRAEMER/KRIS LEONHARDT
PRESS TIMES STAFF
GREEN BAY – Brown County Law enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers are partnering on a campaign to help prevent the illegal purchases of firearms.
“We want to make sure that people understand that if you do make an illegal gun purchase and that gun is used in criminal activity or violent [activity], the reality, you’re putting yourself at the scene as if you’re pulling the trigger,” said Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers Program Coordinator Hans Lux.
The mats are available at no cost to Brown County firearm dealers and pawn shops to place at their gun counters, with the verbage: “REMEMBER – Buying a firearm for someone who can’t is illegal! This can result in… 15 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine! There’s a reason that the person who is asking can’t buy a firearm themselves! Should you trust them with your future?”
“Seventy-five mats were produced and they will be distributed to dealers that are wanting to be part of the program. I really don’t think we’re going to have anybody be not part of the program,” Lux added.
Participating Brown County law enforcement agencies including Ashwaubenon Public Safety, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, De Pere Police Department, Green Bay Police Department, Hobart-Lawrence Police Department, Oneida Police Department, Pulaski Police Department, UW-Green Bay Police and Wrightstown Police Department.
The mats are by Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers.
“We know that one of the most common ways guns get into the wrong hands is through people purchasing them for others who can’t lawfully possess them. We have found illegally obtained firearms to be used in shootings and exchanged for drugs in our communities. This effort is intended to put people on notice of the serious consequences of straw-purchasing firearms for others,” said Green Bay Police Chief Chris Davis.
“Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers is proud to partner with our local 04 body co… 04 body co… law enforcement agencies to stop illegal gun sales. Illegal gun purchases have the potential to be used in violent crimes and criminal activity. We need to make those purchasers aware of the criminal consequences of participating in these illegal activities,” added Lux.