Return of guns to former cop shows system that needs fixing

The case of how Jason Mucha was able to have several firearms returned to him is troubling to me, and it should also be troubling to many others.

It was reported today that Mucha, who was granted duty disability retirement after he indicated he was paranoid, depressed and suicidal, and unable to fulfill his duties as a Milwaukee Police Department sergeant, had nine firearms returned to his possession after a court hearing.

The report indicates that Mucha had his guns confiscated for safekeeping during an emergency mental health detention last November under Chapter 51, Wisconsin’s mental health law.

In my opinion, the return of the firearms to Mucha indicates a glaring, serious loophole in our state law as it pertains to those suffering mental health issues. In a case such as Mucha’s, in my view we are shortsighted (and potentially dangerously so) to think of the firearms return as just a matter of “paperwork filing” and showing up at a hearing. This individual has indicated previously that he is paranoid and suicidal – I see two good reasons right there not to return his guns!

It is time to clean up our mental health law so that we not only protect our community from potentially dangerous and unstable individuals, but that we also protect these individuals from themselves.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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