Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett have a meeting scheduled Tuesday to discuss the recent surge in gun deaths and injuries in Milwaukee.
Barrett said he hopes the attorney general will be an engaged partner, helping, for example, to stop suburban gun dealers from letting criminals get weapons through so-called straw buyers.
“Because so many of the guns are purchased outside of Milwaukee County, our ability to reach those dealers — in particular if they are selling them to straw purchasers — that’s what we’re concerned about,” said Barrett.
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The state Department of Justice confirmed that Schimel has agreed to the meeting. During last year’s election campaign, the Republican said little about restricting gun sales, and instead urged Milwaukee County prosecutors to pursue charges for more illegal gun possession crimes.
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