Change in ownership allowed controversial gun store to remain open

For two years, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter John Diedrich has been seeking documents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on a local gun store that has been the subject of controversy. Despite heavy redactions by the agency, and differing responses to various FOIA requests, Diedrich was able to confirm the ATF recommended revocation of the store’s firearms license after a 2006 inspection. The store remains open, however, after players in the operation took on new roles to gain a clean slate. Diedrich’s package included a sidebar that looks at a budget provision that severely limits public access to ATF information.