WEST MILWAUKEE - After the fourth shooting of a Milwaukee police officer this year, getting guns off the streets has become a top priority for lawmakers.
It's not clear where the gun from Wednesday's shooting came from, but city and state officials have Badger Guns in West Milwaukee in their sights. Most of the guns used in gun crimes in the city come from Badger Guns.
Authorities say it happens hundreds of times a year in Milwaukee. Someone with a clean record buys a gun and gives it to a felon. It's called a "straw purchase," and it's already a federal crime and a misdemeanor in Wisconsin.
After Wednesday's shooting, many say it's time to get tougher.
"Our police officers are putting their lives at stake each and every day. There are guns that are being bought in our community that are being fired at them," said Senator Spencer Coggs (D Milwaukee).
Two different bills are in the works to make straw purchases felonies instead of misdemeanors. Lawmakers say they're cracking down on gun buyers because they can't crack down on Badger Guns.
"There's no action to take against that business. There is a process that they have to follow, federal and state law," said Rep. Scott Gunderson (R Waterford).
The owner of Badger Guns declined to comment for this story.
Sen. Coggs also aims to close a loophole which allows straw buyers to claim they lost their gun or had it stolen. He is proposing another bill in which anyone whose gun is lost or stolen will be required to report it within 48 hours.
On Thursday, Gunderson and Coggs also took shots at each other, each claiming his bill would better address the straw purchasing problem.
