Madison Newspapers Won't Stop Accepting Gun Ads

WAVE: Classifieds For Assault Rifles, Handguns Are Common

Posted: 10:09 a.m. CST February 17, 2003Updated: 9:55 p.m. CST February 19, 2003

MADISON, Wis. -- Guns could get into the hands of felons, young people and the mentally ill. The source? Your local newspaper.

Madison's two daily newspapers are among 20 in Wisconsin that accept classified ads for guns, reports News 3's Toni Morrissey. But now there is a renewed effort to get newspapers to stop accepting classified ads for guns.

The Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort is asking the newspapers to change their policy.

WAVE officials say it's not unusual to see classifieds for assault rifles and handguns.

The group says unlike licensed gun dealers, unlicensed individuals don't do criminal background checks, and they're not required to check the age of the person who wants to buy a gun.

The group is making a personal appeal to all of Wisconsin newspapers because lawmakers have refused to close the loophole, Morrissey reported.

"Clearly it would be better if Congress or the Wisconsin Legislature closed the loopholes in the Brady Law," said Jeri Bonavia, WAVE executive director. "We should be regulating the secondary gun market by requiring that all firearms sales be conducted thru federally licensed firearm dealers."

A gun classified showed up in a Madison newspapers last week -- in the section shared by both newspapers that are managed by Madison Newspapers.

Madison Newspapers officials defended the policy saying, "We have an obligation to all of our customers to accept advertising for products and services that can be lawfully sold ... including firearms."

The company says it works with local police to make sure none of the firearms advertised are illegal.

Madison Newspapers told News 3 it has no plans to change its policy.