Grants given to enforce firearms laws

The Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance awarded $250,000 total to four counties to enforce surrender of firearms laws.

The money, which came from the federal recovery act, was split between three Northeast Wisconsin counties - Winnebago, Outagamie, Waushara - and Sauk County in south-central Wisconsin.

The grants will fund pilot programs in those counties that will ensure firearms are surrendered in civil and criminal cases of domestic violence and harassment. Guns will also be taken from people that have temporary restraining orders against them, but retain the guns when the restraining order expires.

The program comes after a 2008 survey of Wisconsin sheriff's departments showed 70 percent of respondents did not make sure offenders complied with court orders to hand over their firearms.

Tami Jackson of the Office of Justice Assistance said this is nothing new, it's just enforcing existing laws.

"We're not inventing new law here," she said. "We're just facilitating a process that makes implementation of that law easier for criminal justice professionals."

Winnebago County Sheriff Mike Brooks said the grant will help get guns out of the wrong hands.

"You don't get a TRO (temporary restraining order) easily," said Brooks. "There has to be a demonstrated concern by the person seeking that TRO."

Patrick Medo of the Twin City Rod and Gun Club says he wants to protect his second amendment rights, but thinks the enforcement of the law is needed

"The law enforcement agencies should take firearms out of those that shouldn't have them," said Medo.

The county boards still have to approve reception of the grant money.