Wisconsin Confiscation
The liberals are all up in arms over the “civil rights” lost to the Patriot Act. But you’ll never see a town in conservative America violate the 2nd and 4th Amendments so thorougly as liberal haven Oshkosh, Wisconsin. And the Left accuse us of using Gestapo tactics?
Oshkosh, Wis. — Following the shooting of an Oshkosh police officer Saturday night, area residents were forced from their homes, their lawful firearms being confiscated by police.
The Oshkosh Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics Unit responded to the area, with a K-9 police dog in pursuit of the perpetrator who was reported to have fled on foot.
Citizens’ guns were seized through searches of area homes. The police promised to return the firearms after forensic tests proved they were not involved in the crime. The injured officer’s name was withheld, but media reports indicate his condition is not life-threatening.
“The message is: Hand over your guns, now!” said Corey Graff, executive director of Wisconsin Gun Owners Inc. “This is a blatant case of guilty-until-proven-innocent and an abuse of police power.”
Still, residents in the area are furious about the home invasions by police and what they see as theft of their property. Although early reports are unclear, they indicate a search warrant was issued for two homes, yet additional home owners also had firearms confiscated.
“We want the perpetrator of this crime caught and brought to justice just like everyone else,” said Graff. “But that doesn’t mean the police should trample citizens’ 4th amendment protections, steal lawful private property and enter the home without reasonable suspicion or warrant.”
One homeowner in the area said his guns were taken by police, guns that hadn’t left his gun safe since last hunting season. Another victim of the police searches — an elderly women — reported waking up to officers’ searching her home in the early morning hours.
The Oshkosh Northwestern reported, “Residents were not being allowed to return to their homes by press time.”
After the outrage simmered a bit it appears the police thought it might be prudent to offer a half hearted apology. But not only does the department show little or no actual remose, they believe they acted legally!
“We’re getting into a lot of legal details if there’s evidence that can be seized. They (the firearms) could be,” Puestohl said. “As far as I know there was nothing inappropriate or illegal done.”