Parks committee approves proposal to allow gun shows at Milwaukee County Sports Complex

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The County Board's Parks, Energy, and Environment Committee on Tuesday, March 16, approved a resolution that would allow gun shows to be held at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex. 

The resolution is sponsored by Supervisors Patti Logsdon, Felesia A. Martin and Sylvia Ortiz-Velez.

“I would like to thank my colleagues on the Parks Committee, particularly Chairman Wasserman, for supporting the continuation of gun shows at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex,” said Supervisor Logsdon. “I would also like to thank our Office of Corporation Counsel for their assistance addressing legal concerns around this issue. Gun shows can be a great place for people to come together around shared interests and learn about responsible gun ownership. They are also a revenue driver for the County at a time when revenue is desperately needed.”

According to a news release, the Milwaukee County Sports Complex had for years hosted a biannual gun show organized by the Wisconsin-based nonprofit Take a Kid Hunting Foundation, which benefits youth and disabled veterans. In early 2020, the Parks Department advised the event organizers that the gun show could no longer be held at the complex because it violated Milwaukee County’s code of ordinances.

Supervisor Logsdon proposed the ordinance change to allow gun shows at the complex in March 2020. The proposal had been laid over, referred back to committee and referred to the Office of Corporation Counsel for a legal opinion before being recommended for adoption at today’s Parks Committee meeting.

The resolution is expected to come before the Milwaukee County Board Thursday, March 25.