Groundbreaking Verdict against Gun Shop in Milwaukee - Mark P. Loftus

A groundbreaking verdict was returned in a Wisconsin courtroom yesterday and gun shop owners had better take note. In the summer of 2009, Julius Burton paid Jacob Collins $40 to purchase a .40 caliber handgun from Badger Guns[“Badger” – pictured above] a gun shop located in suburban Milwaukee. Video of the purchase shows Burton pointing out the gun he wanted to Collins. Additionally, when Collins, the alleged purchaser, was filling out certain paperwork, he checked “No” to a question that inquired if he was the actual buyer. Donald Flora, the clerk working at Badger Guns, told him to change his response to “Yes”. The gun was purchased and promptly turned over to Burton. A month later, Milwaukee Police Officers Bryan Noberg and Graham Kunisch spotted Burton riding his bicycle on the sidewalk. The officers, while still in their squad car, instructed Burton to stop doing so, as riding a bicycle on a sidewalk is prohibited by a Milwaukee ordinance. Burton ignored them and continued riding on the sidewalk. The officers then exited their car and pursued Burton. He aggressively resisted, then pulled out the handgun and started shooting. Both officers were shot in the face. Officer Nordberg lost multiple teeth as a bullet crashed through his mouth and lodged in his shoulder. Officers Kunisch was shot multiple times. He lost an eye, and part of the frontal lobe of his brain. His wounds forced him to retire. The officers sued Badger, alleging that the store personnel were aware, or should have been aware that the gun was clearly being purchased illegally for someone who could not legally purchase the weapon. Badger’s attorneys argued that the clerk who oversaw the sale didn’t intentionally commit any crime. The jury found for the officers and awarded $1.5 million to Norberg and $3.6 milion to Kunisch. Additionally, the jury awarded punitive damages of $730,000. The verdict is believed to be the first of its kind for shooting victims. A 2005 law provides substantial immunities to gun dealers for these kinds of injuries. At least one presidential candidate – Hilary Clinton – has vowed to repeal that law if elected. Defense attorneys have vowed to appeal the verdict, and will likely be well funded by gun interests Milwaukee atuthorities claim that between 2006 and 2009 more than 1,800 guns purchased from Badger were used in crimes. Burton is currently serving an 80 year sentence. The link below shows video of portions of the purchase and confrontation prior to the shooting.

http://fox6now.com/2015/10/13/breaking-verdict-reached-in-badger-guns-civil-trial-jury-due-in-court-around-5-p-m/#ooid=QxZG82eDqyYkW1fyt5–MWc38BdeQu9P