Bulletproof Guards May Be Unarmed When They Return To The Penokees

Bulletproof Securities will return to patrol the Penokee Hills for Gogebic Taconite (GTAC), but this time they may be unarmed.

The Arizona-based security firm made headlines with guards dressed in desert camouflage and carrying semi-automatic weapons. It is alleged to have violated state law by operating without a license.

Bulletproof, GTAC and the landowners are all liable to be fined. But Iron County District Attorney Marty Lipske says he’ll forego charging anyone if GTAC agrees to have Bulletproof guards patrol without guns.

“I’m going beyond simply not filing them,” he says. “I want some more concessions so that hopefully we don’t have to have high-intensity security people like Bulletproof here, acting in a high-intensive manner like being armed.”

Lipske met with GTAC officials this week. He says if GTAC agrees – and he thinks they will – he won’t press charges. He says he’s waiting for a written agreement from GTAC before he makes a final decision.

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services investigated complaints against Bulletproof for operating without a license, but this week issued a license to the company and closed the case after dismissing the complaints.