Woman's excuse for firing gun: Sheriff Clarke said it was OK
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/after-firing-gun-woman-tells-cop-that-sheriff-david-clarke-said-it-was-ok-er8inmv-188904701.html
A 36-year-old Milwaukee woman had a ready excuse when Milwaukee police approached her Saturday about firing a gun on the 2300 block of W. Burleigh St.
Makisha Cooper told police that Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. had said it was OK for her to arm herself, according to a criminal complaint accusing her of endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon while intoxicated and carrying a concealed weapon.
Clarke got heavy news coverage last week after airing a radio ad telling residents not to count on a rapid police response to 911 calls and instead to take a gun safety course "so you can defend yourself until we get there."
Cooper told police "that she knows her rights regarding having a firearm because she heard Sheriff Clarke on the radio stating that she could own a gun to protect herself," the complaint says. She showed police a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson semiautomatic handgun that one officer determined had been recently fired.
Cooper later told police she had gotten into a fight with her niece, then went to her car to retrieve the gun. She fired it once in front of a house, she told police.
She faces up to 18 months in jail and $20,000 in fines on the two misdemeanor counts.
Critics have said Clarke's radio message was irresponsible and encouraged "amped-up vigilantism." Supporters say Clarke should be commended for speaking the truth about the need for citizens to take an active role in protecting themselves and their families.
