STOCK PHOTO GUN POINTING CODE
Degan says the “88” references the Nebraska police code for “situation secure,” a code familiar to him as a former law enforcement officer and to others in the state. (“H” is the eighth letter of the alphabet.)ĭegan has regularly denied this accusation.
It noted that “ 88” is a code used by neo-Nazis for “Heil Hitler,” the Nazi salute. NAGV called 88 Tactical “a gun business with disturbing Nazi branding” in its press release about the swap. NAGV and local activists have also accused Tactical 88 of including Nazi messaging in its branding, something the company adamantly rejects. Bonacci did not respond by publication time. OPD spokesperson Lieutenant Neil Bonacci told Hatewatch the emails characterize a “strictly professional” relationship between OPD and 88 Tactical, “similar to many of our relationships with other businesses in our city.”īonacci also said he was unaware of any relationship between 88 Tactical and “any far-right or anti-Muslim groups or individuals.” He added, “If we were aware of said relationships, we would not do business with them.” Hatewatch sent Bonacci reports on 88 Tactical working with the Global Faith Institute. Thanks so much for the consideration, we appreciate everything 88Tactical has done for OPD SWAT. I see no reason why wouldn’t do this deal with you guys as it benefits everyone.Īs always, I appreciate you thinking of us, brother. OPD Lieutenant Jacob Ritonya emailed 88 Tactical founder Degan with details of the swap on May 18, 2022, at 12:40 p.m CDT. The emails between OPD and 88 Tactical detail the deal’s origin. Both are far-right politicians in Brazil who push anti-leftist conspiracies. Similarly, Guandolo has authored several books about the supposed threat to America posed by Sharia law and warning of a “Jihadi generation.”Ĩ8 Tactical has also hosted former President Donald Trump’s son, Donald Jr., and Carlos and Eduardo Bolsonaro, the sons of far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The Global Faith Institute is an organization that pushes unfounded conspiracy theories about the alleged threat Muslims pose to the U.S. Hatewatch first covered 88 Tactical in 2017, when it and the anti-Muslim Global Faith Institute invited anti-Muslim ex-FBI agent and author John Guandolo, who bills himself as a national security consultant, to Nebraska. Melody Vaccaro, executive director of grassroots nonprofit Nebraskans Against Gun Violence (NAGV), told Hatewatch she and other Nebraskans were “immediately concerned” about the trade, given 88 Tactical’s “history of bringing an anti-Muslim speaker” to Nebraska. OPD and 88 Tactical agreed that police would give 88 Tactical 28 expired ballistic helmets and 28 expired rifle plates – a value of roughly $45,000 if purchased new – in exchange for 120 Coyote AR magazines, 60 Glock 17 magazines and 30 orange Glock magazine base plates, all worth about $3,100. Degan decried “bullies” who “hate the First Amendment … the Second Amendment” and “cops.” However, 88 Tactical founder and former law enforcement officer Shea Degan released a video after Hatewatch sent the request for comment, saying his business is not racist. Hatewatch attempted to contact 88 Tactical for comment on this article, but they did not respond. Nebraska activists tell Hatewatch they fear the swap between OPD and 88 Tactical, a large gun range and store on the outskirts of Omaha where “civilians as well as law enforcement and military personnel” train, is evidence of police willingness to work with organizations that have ties to the far right. The emails shed light on OPD’s relationships with far-right business owners who have ties to law enforcement.
Hatewatch obtained emails surrounding the deal, which the city council tabled on July 18 amid public scrutiny, through a public information request.
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