Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

2 More Wounded Officers Sue Milwaukee Gun Shop

The new case, brought by Officer Jose Lopez and former officer Alejandro Arce, alleges that owners of Badger Guns negligently sold the gun used to wound them in 2007.

May 10, 2016
2 min to read


Just months after two wounded Milwaukee police officers won a landmark liability case against a Milwaukee gun dealer, a second trial against the same store is set to begin. This one involves two different injured officers.

Starting May 16, Badger Guns and its predecessor, Badger Outdoors, and their sales practices will again be under scrutiny in the fourth-floor courtroom of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge John DiMotto.

Ad Loading...

The new case, brought by Officer Jose Lopez and former officer Alejandro Arce, alleges that owners of Badger Guns negligently sold the gun used to wound them in 2007.

The trial is scheduled to last up to three weeks, the Journal-Sentinel reports.

In October, a jury ruled in favor of Officer Bryan Norberg and former officer Graham Kunisch, awarding them nearly $6 million in health care costs and lost wages, pain and suffering and punitive damages.

Shortly after the verdict, Kunisch and Norberg settled the case for $1 million, avoiding what likely would have been a yearslong appeal process.

Kunisch, Norberg, Arce and Lopez were among six police officers wounded over a 20-month period with guns sold by Badger Guns or its predecessor, Badger Outdoors. The other two officers did not sue.

Ad Loading...

In the case now heading for trial, Lopez and Arce were shot by Victor Veloz, then 15, in November 2007. Veloz was using a gun purchased and provided to him by 24-year-old Jose Fernandez. That gun and another were purchased by Fernandez just weeks earlier.

On Oct. 16, 2007, Fernandez bought a Masterpiece Arms 9mm rifle with a flash suppressor and two 30-round magazines. Eight days later, Fernandez returned to the store returned and bought a Taurus 9mm handgun.

Fernandez had been convicted of drug possession. It is against the law to sell a gun to a drug user. The complaint alleges that Badger Gun employees should have known that. It also says the sales just days apart should have been a red flag that it was a straw purchase.

More Patrol

Man in a blue blazer lifting his shirt to reveal a concealed handgun in a waistband holster while standing outdoors.
SponsoredMarch 2, 2026

Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty

What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.

Read More →
Woman kneeling with a Bloodhound in front of a white pickup truck.
PatrolMarch 1, 2026

K-9s Play a Critical Role in Finding Missing Persons

Real-world scenarios show that a tracking canine can detect and follow a human track several hours after it was made.

Read More →
Black background with image of police car light bar, logo for POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips, and headline What are the latest law enforcement boots from Garmont Tactical?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamFebruary 25, 2026

Garmont Tactical’s LE Boot Lineup

In this video, we get a look at the latest law enforcement boots from Garmont Tactical, both for men and women. Kyle Ferdyn, sales manager, showcases four of the latest boots.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Person in protective CMRN suit and breathing gear.
PatrolFebruary 18, 2026

Avon Protection Launches EXOSKIN-S2 High-Performance CBRN Protective Suit

With the commercial availability of Avon Protection’s EXOSKIN-S2, users now have increased options for their protective suit requirements across the spectrum of CBRN threat environments.

Read More →
Sky background with logos for Versatern and Aloft
PatrolFebruary 18, 2026

Versaterm Acquires Aloft to Unlock a New Era of Drones for Public Safety

Versaterm has acquired Aloft, an FAA-approved Unmanned Service Supplier (USS) that specializes in real-time airspace intelligence and flight authorizations.

Read More →
Clooudy sky background with a lot of blue, logo for DroneSense, and dates and location of an upcoming event.
PatrolFebruary 11, 2026

Versaterm Launches Innovation Summit for Public Safety Drone Operations

The two-day DroneSense Innovation Summit by Versaterm will bring together public safety and industry experts to define best practices for scaling drone operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips featuring a black background with police car lights and headline What Makes a Good LE Boot?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamFebruary 11, 2026

What Makes a Good LE Boot?

Learn what makes a boot good for police officers as POLICE visits with Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, who explains the features of boots and why each is needed in an LE boot.

Read More →
Red fabric background with blue and white Folds of Honor logo.
PatrolFebruary 4, 2026

Folds of Honor Opens Scholarship Application for Children and Spouses of Fallen or Disabled Service Members and First Responders

The application period for the Folds of Honor scholarship program is now open through the end of March. Scholarships support students from early education through postsecondary studies, easing the financial burden for families who have given so much in service to others.

Read More →
Closeup of hands reaching to pick up a ballistic helmet and a Team Wendy logo in a white box top center in the image.
PatrolFebruary 4, 2026

Team Wendy Now on GovX: Faster Verification and Discount Access for Eligible Professionals

With GovX verification now integrated directly into the Team Wendy checkout experience, eligible customers can confirm their status in just a few clicks and have the discount applied automatically.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
backgroudn image of desert with inset 5.11 logo and images of pant and boot.
PatrolJanuary 28, 2026

5.11 Debuts 2026 Footwear & Apparel at SHOT Show

5.11 showcased new apparel and footwear products during SHOT Show 2026, including new color options for the A/T Boa Lite Mid Boot and the Founder’s Jacket.

Read More →