Brown County partners with ATF and Crime Stoppers to deter illegal firearm purchases

GREEN BAY, WI – (WGBW) – Law enforcement departments across Brown County are partnering with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and with Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers to prevent crime related to the illegal purchase of firearms. They created tactical mats with a message that will be free to any firearm retailer or pawn shop in Brown County.

REMEMBER – Buying a firearm for someone who can’t is illegal! This can result in… 15 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine! There’s a reason that the person who is asking can’t buy a firearm themselves! Should you trust them with your future?

Quote from tactical mats being distributed by Brown County law enforcement, ATF and Crime Stoppers

Shopkeepers place mats like these on the counters of businesses as shopkeepers show guns to possible buyers. Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers funded the mats which were designed by Insight Creative of Green Bay.

Press Release:

Brown County Law Enforcement Partner with ATF and Crime Stoppers to Deter Illegal Firearms Purchases

GREEN BAY, WI – As an opportunity to prevent crime related to the illegal purchases of firearms, law enforcement across Brown County has partnered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers in creating tactical mats with a message.

The mats will be offered at no cost to firearm retailers and pawn shops in Brown County to be placed on their counters with the intent of being used to show guns to prospective buyers.

REMEMBER – Buying a firearm for someone who can’t is illegal! This can result in… 15 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine! There’s a reason that the person who is asking can’t buy a firearm themselves! Should you trust them with your future?

This initiative has the support of the ATF and the following Brown County agencies: Ashwaubenon Public Safety, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, De Pere Police Department, Green Bay Police Department, Hobart-Lawrence Police Department, Oneida Police Department, Pulaski Police Department, University of Wisconsin–Green Bay Police, and Wrightstown Police Department.

Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers is fully funding the mats that display each law enforcement logo and information on reporting crime tips to the non-profit organization.

“We know that one of the most common ways guns get into the wrong hands is through people purchasing them for others who can’t lawfully possess them. We have found illegally obtained firearms to be used in shootings and exchanged for drugs in our communities. This effort is intended to put people on notice of the serious consequences of straw-purchasing firearms for others,” said Chief Chris Davis, Green Bay Police Department.

“Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers is proud to partner with our local law enforcement agencies to stop illegal gun sales. Illegal gun purchases have the potential to be used in violent crimes and criminal activity. We need to make those purchasers aware of the criminal consequences of participating in these illegal activities,” said Hans Lux, Program Coordinator, Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers.

If you have information related to an illegal firearms purchase, please contact local law enforcement. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers at (920) 432-STOP (7867). You may also submit tips online at www.432stop.com, or utilize the “P3 Tips” app.

The participating Brown County law enforcement agencies would like to give additional recognition to Insight Creative, Inc. of the Green Bay area for volunteering their services in designing these mats.