Tim McGlone
The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
A Yorktown gun-rights advocate who sued Norfolk after his arrest at Town Point Park for openly carrying a handgun will receive a $15,000 payout to settle the federal lawsuit.
Chester "Chet" Szymecki Jr. sued the city after his arrest in June 2007 on a charge of violating a city ordinance prohibiting firearms at Harborfest. The city later learned that the ordinance is unenforceable because state law prohibits localities from regulating firearms.
Szymecki sued in U.S. District Court claiming violations of his Second Amendment right to bear arms, but a judge threw out that part of the case. The judge ruled, however, that city police may have violated Szymecki's privacy rights by demanding his Social Security number.
The case was scheduled for trial Tuesday.
City Attorney Bernard A. Pishko said the settlement avoids the high price of going to trial. The city did not admit any wrongdoing, he said.
Pishko said the police are aware of the rights of gun owners, largely because of several high-profile disputes involving gun-rights activists in Norfolk.
"I think the police are very aware, more aware than they might have been before," he said.
A federal judge threw out a related suit by Szymecki's wife, who claimed a sheriff's deputy violated her rights during her husband's arrest.
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
Leave the area
For those who say they would leave the area if someone had a gun, ask yourself this. How do you know? I have my CCW and carry my gun almost daily, to the grocery store, the 7-11, the video store, the mall, Taco Bell etc. How many times have you walked right past me with absolutely no idea I was armed? How many of your neighbors own/carry guns? You are probably around people carring guns and have no idea. Just remember the next time you pass someone at the mall or the dairy aisle of the grocery store that person may be armed. If you really want to be away from people that have guns, stay home.
Guns...
Hmmm seems that this is turning into a pro/anti gun debate when the real issue is legality. Norfolk overstepped its rights as a city and now has to pay a "fine" of $15,000. Maybe this should come out of the city attorney's salary... aren't they the ones who are supposed to verify whether something is legal or not?
Harborfest
You need a gun at Harborfest to protect yourself from all those gang member/crack selling thugs that litter that place. They've lost Norfolk...Portsmouth even looks like Hollywood compared to Norfolk these days! The leadership has grown immune to it.
Ask some people from Mumbai
Ask some people from Mumbai in India if they wish they had the means to defend themselves. I figure you are either have an unhealthy fear of inantimate objects, you are to poor to afford a quality firearm and lash out at others who can, or you are just some 12 year old leaving comments about things only adults should discuss. This is not a personal attack, more like an inquisition. I figure you can call us idiot John Wayne cowboys and such...
Gun Ownership Lessons
Maybe one of the licensed contributors here can offer some help to Plaxico Burress. More proof not everyone is qualified to carry, unfortunately. I am glad our citizens take advantage of the 2nd amendment, I just wish it was harder for complete idiots and mental cases to get guns.
1 million?
Is that all? Think of how many WOULD be dead if the average 2.5 million Crimes a year stopped by people who LEGALLY own handguns were left alone to be committed.
hmmmmmm.
Pick 1.
[ ] Gun Owner
[ ] Victim
this is good
"I will vacate the area when I see a person with a gun."
So do most criminals, so beware of the same folks who are "vacating" with you.
Small men with big egos (Curtis J)
Small men with big egos tsk tsk Curtis I guess you have a tiny ego and nothing below they way you write. If it is my right to carry openly why do you fear it... What are you afraid of? I can only guess. I am sorry you can not see my side of it. But if it makes you happy feel free to leave and go somewhere where the law forbids Open carry. I get you the map.
Anti-gunners without logic
Would just one anti-gunner tell me of a city that has a no-carry policy that has a low crime rate? Now tell me why cities like Kennesaw, GA, with a mandatory law for citizens to own guns had a 28% drop in crime without hiring an additional cop? You ask for sensible gun laws like gun registration & owner permits yet cities like Chicago, NYC, DC, and others HAD that and now prohibit carry and yet crime continues to rise in those cities. Anti-gunners equate their logic with too many guns existing and criminals getting them? Does your mission really reduce either? Was Katrina not evidence enough that you cannot count on our gov't.? It takes only a sneeze to overwhelm our police and place society in Anarchy. Did it ever occur that terrorism is almost non-existent on U.S. soil because our citizens have the armed capability to fight back unlike India, Britian, Saudi Arabia, etc.? When you are huddled in the mall screaming, "Somebody please hwlp me!"..."Would somebody do something?"..remember the police are just minutes away...
ODU Students - Are you Listening
Not to long ago there was an article in the VP regarding the high crime around ODU. If those students started obeying the law, the law that allows them to carry a firearm, then I'll bet the crime around ODU would drastically decrease.