2-year-old Wisconsin open-carry case settled

This, just received from Wisconsin Carry, Inc. While this travesty of justice occurred two years ago, it finally got resolved in the gunowner's favor.

"On June 6th, 2009, Dave Bernson, a Wisconsin Carry member was unlawfully arrested in his home by a Milwaukee Police Officer after he had been legally carrying in the only manner allowed by Wisconsin law (open carry). Mr. Bernson's house and vehicle were searched without his consent and without a warrant. A legally owned handgun was seized by the police. 

"Mr. Bernson was then transported to a Milwaukee jail facility where he was later released without any charges being filed. After Mr. Berson applied for the return of his property from the Milwaukee Police Department over a month later, he was then issued a citation for unlawful transport of a firearm by the MPD. A Milwaukee circuit judge later dismissed that frivolous citation. 

"Despite there being no charges and no convictions of any crime or wrong-doing by Mr. Bernson his unlawfully seized firearm was not returned. On Jan. 10th, 2010, Wisconsin Carry, Inc filed a lawsuit against the City of Milwaukee and the arresting MPD officer on Mr. Bernson's behalf to seek damages for his unlawful arrest and seizure of his property. A copy of that lawsuit is available here: http://www.wisconsincarry.org/pdf/GFSZA_Legal_Documents/03_GFSZ_Complaint_A2.pdf 

"Wisconsin Carry is pleased to announce that a settlement in the amount of $6,500 has been reached with The City of Milwaukee to resolve this lawsuit and compensate Mr. Bernson for the violation of his civil rights. A copy of the settlement agreement is available here: http://www.wisconsincarry.org/pdf/GFSZA_Legal_Documents/Resolution-of-Settlement-Oct-2011-10-12-04.pdf 

"Wisconsin Carry, Inc. is a non-profit Wisconsin Corporation dedicated to the preservation and expansion of the human right of law-abiding Wisconsinites to self-defense, exercised by the right to carry in the manner of one's choosing (open or concealed). We will continue to utilize the civil court system to deter unlawful treatment of and seek monetary damages for, law-abiding citizens who have these fundamental state and federally protected rights violated by the few select municipalities and their police departments who operate outside their lawful authority."

The score? Gunowner 1, Milwaukee PD bully 0

If you go to Wisconsin, Open Carry is legal, and concealed carry becomes legal in November, I think. Check with law enforcement officials FIRST, to understand your rights and any limitations, such as places into which you cannot carry concealed. Find out if you must have a permit to carry concealed in Wisconsin, once the new law become effective. For more information, go to www.wisconsincarry.org


If you're on the state line, you might join Wisconsin Carry and use them as a resource for information.


In Illinois we have the Illinois State Rifle Assn. working hard on our behalf, and it deserves your $25/year support. Go to www.isra.org