There was nothing to “fix” about anything Brad was doing. The law which authorizes him to openly carry a gun has only been on the books for 137 years.

Who cares what others thing about your lawful exercise of your liberty? You think anyone can appease those who would wrongfully deny you your rights under color of law? The cops still have his gun and refuse to return it. How’s that for living in the land of the free?

When a cop sees me armed in my yard, they may stop and we’ll talk about crime, the weather or guns and ammo. It’s a friendly conversation between two lawful citizens.

I don’t happen to live in West Allis, but the police there need to recieve better tactical training and interpersonal skills when meeting armed citizens.

But based upon a phone call from a neighbor and assurance that the guy in the yard lived (and belonged) there that got the cops informed, wouldn’t just sending over an officer in a marked car and having him ask in a pleasant and unassuming manner why the gent was armed in his own yard could have resolved the concern with nobody being offended or weapons being drawn?

I know this isn’t Mayberry any longer, (anywhere), but a simple conversation could have fixed this, maybe generated some public goodwill and laid everyone’s fears to rest. Overblown doesn’t begin to describe the action of the cops in this case.

BUT. Any course of action you take that will bring cops to your house with guns drawn is not usually gonna turn out well for you.