Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. raised some eyebrows earlier this year when he gave residents some advice that was Sgt. Major Basil Plumley approved.

Clarke made the news again over the weekend, appearing in support of a concealed carry class being held at Andy Kochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall.

Yeah, you heard that right. Beer Hall. Kochanski was working there when he took Clarke’s advice to heart and killed one of three armed robbers a week and a half ago in what has been deemed a clear case of self defense that likely saved his life and that of two customers.

Despite being cleared by the local district attorney, Kochanski hasn’t received his gun back, something Sheriff Clarke would like to see changed.

People who shoot someone in self defense should be able to get their guns back within 48 hours of being cleared of criminal charges, Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. told a crowd of more than 100 people who on Sunday had packed Kochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall on Milwaukee’s south side.

The crowd had gathered to attend a concealed carry class at Kochanski’s, the tavern where owner Andy Kochanski shot and killed a man who tried to rob the business at gunpoint a week and a half ago.

Prosecutors announced last week that they would not charge Kochanski because he acted in defense of himself and two customers, but Kochanski has not yet received his gun back, Clarke said.

Clarke added that he intends to lobby some legislators to mandate expedited return of such weapons.

“They’re taking his freedom away to possibly have to act again tonight,” Clarke said.

I’m trying to recall the last time that a sheriff came out to support a concealed carry class being held in a bar.

Other than that geographical curiosity (and no, Kochanski wasn’t serving alcohol during class), Clarke’s push to return handguns to those who have been forced to defend themselves with all due speed is a good cause to support. It seems that all that has stopped Kochanski from retrieving his handgun is institutional lethargy. As friends and family members of deceased criminals have been known to go after law-abiding citizens who have defended themselves, the faster citizens are returned their firearms, the better off society is as a whole.