As 2014 State Gun Homicide Tally Reaches 46, Milwaukee Police Chief Demands Action

Editor’s Note: This article is part of a Wisconsin Public Radio year-long series tracking all gun-related homicides in Wisconsin.

As the state’s gun homicide total for the year reaches 46, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn is asking Gov. Scott Walker to show courage on the idea of additional penalties for illegally carrying a firearm.

Over the last seven days, police in Watertown have revealed that the killing of Heather Stewart, a 28-year-old white woman, late last month was a shooting.

The Milwaukee Police Department also said two black men, 21-year-old Raymond Harris and 20-year-old Johnny Winston, Jr., were also shot to death.

Flynn Thursday again asked Walker and Republican legislators to stand up to the gun lobby and make it more than a misdemeanor to illegally carry a gun.

“The challenge, I think, for elected leaders is to show some courage here,” said Flynn. “There are strong lobbyists out there who are immune to facts because all they care about is their ideology or selling their product. We need elected officials who and looking out for community safety and open to facts.”

Flynn referred to a book written by John F. Kennedy.

“Let’s see some profiles in courage,” he said. “I remember there was a book written by that name once long ago. I haven’t seen a profile in courage in some time,” he said.

Walker said he told Flynn in April that he remains open to the additional penalties, but not before the fall election.

“I’m more than happy to work with members of both parties to do that,” said Walker. “ When the next legislative session comes up, I’d imagine we’ll do just that.”

Flynn said he’s worried about another potential spike in gun violence this summer.