Morgan Donovan

Morgan Donovan

MADISON, Wis. - A man is facing several charges after police say he was intoxicated and brought out his loaded gun at a Madison gas station Tuesday night.

Madison police said 32-year-old Morgan W. Donovan, of Madison, entered the 7-Eleven on the West Beltline Highway at about 8 p.m. talking to staff and customers about why they should not be paranoid about guns.

According to the report, at some point Donovan pulled a loaded weapon from his waistband and put it on the counter. A 46-year-old Madison woman shopping at the store picked up the gun and said, "You're right, we shouldn't be (afraid)." She walked toward the bathroom and hid the firearm behind a lottery display. She then returned to the counter and suggested to Donovan that they go out for a smoke. As they moved for the door last night, the woman mouthed "call the police" to a 7-Eleven clerk.

Police said staff members at the West Beltline Highway convenience store were very visibly shaken when officers arrived to find the suspect and the concerned citizen still outdoors. The woman would later tell officers that she had no idea who the man was, but figured it would be safer to keep him as far away from his gun as possible until police responded, as it appeared he might be under the influence of something.

He was arrested on suspicion of recklessly endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct while armed and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence.

Police said Donovan has a concealed carry permit. He told police he had been at a bar prior to driving to the 7-Eleven.