Norfolk to pay $15,000 in Harborfest gun arrest case

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.

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?

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 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...

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.

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

"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 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.

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...

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.

The city got off easy.

then maybe you should start demanding that your law enforcement agencies stop violating the constitutional rights of virginia citizens.

everyone here complaining about having to foot the taxpayer bill for the city settling these is directly responsible because you ALLOW your police to do these unlawful acts.

Quit your belly aching and tell your city coucilmembers to straighten up your police officers.

Remember, i'm pretty sure the police don't look for people with holstered guns on their hip for the sake of harassing them...they are only keeping the safety of themselves and the community in mind...you never know these days with crazies out there. Besides,,do you think they said, "Hey there's that guy again,,let's arrest him so he can sue us."

I believe in the right to bear arms as well, but those who choose to do so in public places should be aware that people whether LEO or not will react differently.

It wouldnt amaze me if you changed your mind if you in a situation where an armed citizen saved you because you were in a serious situation that involves the use of a firearm.
For those who carry firearms, we understand the use of a firearm is a last resort, not 'fire first.' There have been times I havent carried my gun on my hip into a store because of the atmosphere (Toys R Us and some stores). Other times,I have carried it because I have a toddler and felt safer by carrying my gun, and I am alone. I do not require a mental exam to carry one,either. As for the Southside,its a dirty place that I dont need to be visting for any reason.

All these people gripeing about this man not being from Norfolk. Well there you have it then....if you are a citizen in good standing, value your civil rights, and want to visit another city in your same general location (poor guy is from Yorktown and will surely have to pay for road taxes for the morons in Norfolk).....well just take your business elsewhere. Apparently the good citizens of Norfolk don't want your business and sure don't want you to have your rights.

"Ask anyone who has been killed by some thug with an illegal gun for $50, "

...$15,000????....THAT'S 2 bubble gum pickeruppers...or 3 years worth of
doggie doo bags...or a consultant research study that we'll never act upon...such a waste...we are a silly bunch ...aren't we?...Elvis just shakes his head!

Is this the "Wild West" or what? I will vacate the area when I see a person with a gun.

They settled because of fear of LOSING not the costs. City Attorney Bernard A. Pishko and all his assistants are on the city payroll and get paid the same bucks whether they are in court fighting out a tough case or sipping coffee in the office. "Cost of going to trial" really means "Fear of losing big bucks from a judge/jury".

Not too long ago, a minister, visiting Norfolk, was outside waterside between the sheraton Hotel and waterside and was visciously attacked by three young thugs from a local downtown housing area, they beat him senseless, not to rob him, just for fun, this occurred the friday of Harborfest about 8 PM, the minister was in a coma for about six weeks, he has brain damage, he has a limp and he now has a gun. so for Curtis J, rick3cs, and wspeid, Evil is everywhere, cops are not. some statistic was presented earlier 100,000 per year gun deaths, sorry to say, most gun dead were villians. And as the economy continues to sour, theft will rise accordingly, get smart and learn to defend yourself and yours.