'Hundreds of Guns' Police Surround Gun Dealers During Foolhardy Deal

OAK CREEK -- Two gun dealers minding their own business exchanging hundreds of guns in a motel parking lot in broad daylight should have known they were going to attract unwanted attention in a suburban Milwaukee community.

On Nov. 14, Oak Creek police set up a perimeter around a motel after a passer-by witnessed two parties exchanging hundreds of guns in a nearby parking lot.

As it turns out, the exchange was foolhardy - yet perfectly legal.

Oak Creek police responded to the parking lot near the Value Inn, 9420 S. 20th St. just before 1 p.m. on Nov. 14 on a report that four white male individuals were exchanging several guns from out of a dark-colored Suburban and a U-Haul Truck.

According to the report, the first officer on scene reported that he parked his vehicle a short distance away and approach on foot with his squad rifle.

The report states that the officer observed the individuals exchanging a large amount of handguns and rifles out of the back of the U-Haul truck and in the back of a pick-up truck.

Oak Creek police set up a perimeter with other responding officers.

An Oak Creek Police sergeant then made verbal contact with the four suspicious males and began a felony stop by ordering all four people away from their respective vehicles.

All four men cooperated and stated they were Federal Firearm Licensed dealers from a gun action company and stated they had set up this transaction with the ATF.

The men produced the proper paperwork verifying the transaction, and observed several hundred firearms in the back of the U-Haul truck as well as the pick-up truck.

According to the report, the Milwaukee ATF office approved the transaction, and instructed the men to conduct the transaction outside the city of Milwaukee where it was safer, and suggested contacting local police prior to making the exchange.

According to Oak Creek police, the four men did not follow the ATF instructions, and decided to conduct the massive gun transaction in the truck parking lot near the Value Inn where a passer-by observed the firearms changing hands and called police.

According to the report, the ATF agent would be following-up with the gun auction company and the four men to discuss their poor decisions in this matter.

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