D.C. store owner behind bars due to gun ownership...

[preslove]

twice convicted felon....

GOOD!

Go fuck yourself.

 

[Jeeebus]

I'd think self defense is plenty of an "excuse" to break a law, especially an unconstitutional law.

He wasn't arrested for murder after blowing a hole in an armed robber pointing a gun at him. Nor would he be (though in DC, who knows...). In that situation, he'd likely be cleared on self defense grounds, but still face the consequences with a felon owning a gun.

Also, I'm not sure what your qualifications are to call the law unconstitutional, but the Supreme Court tends to disagree with you, as it has had numerous cases interpreting this statute and its predecessor and found them to be constitutional. So from a legal standpoint, yes, the statute is constitutional at least until the Supreme Court changes its mind.

Again, I'm not arguing morality or philosophy here - if I was, I'd agree with you and reference Dred Scott, wherein the Supreme Court upheld owning African-Americans as property/slaves.

 

[BurnItDwn]

He wasn't arrested for murder after blowing a hole in an armed robber pointing a gun at him. Nor would he be (though in DC, who knows...). In that situation, he'd likely be cleared on self defense grounds, but still face the consequences with a felon owning a gun.

Also, I'm not sure what your qualifications are to call the law unconstitutional, but the Supreme Court tends to disagree with you, as it has had numerous cases interpreting this statute and its predecessor and found them to be constitutional. So from a legal standpoint, yes, the statute is constitutional at least until the Supreme Court changes its mind.

Again, I'm not arguing morality or philosophy here - if I was, I'd agree with you and reference Dred Scott, wherein the Supreme Court upheld owning African-Americans as property/slaves.

So, you can't say that you have a weapon for self defense if you have it in order to defend your self, but don't actually have an experience crop up where you have had to use it for that purpose?

 

[Jeeebus]

So, you can't say that you have a weapon for self defense if you have it in order to defend your self, but don't actually have an experience crop up where you have had to use it for that purpose?

I have no idea what you are trying to say.

If you are a convicted felon, you cannot have a gun. Period. Cannot have a gun for self defense, for hunting, for zombie protection, etc.

If I understand you correctly, then anyone caught for possession of marijuana could just say - "oh I only had it in case I ever needed it for medical purposes."

Or any convicted felon could escape liability by saying he only had the gun "just in case" it needed to be used in self defense.

 

[boomhower]

He was a cocaine dealer. He doesn't have a felony record for writing bad checks or using a stolen credit card. I am perfectly OK with him not having the right to own a gun. Should all felons have their firearms rights taken away? Of course not. Should drug dealers and those committing violent crimes? Yes. When he was out selling dope he knew the consequences if he got caught. Losing his right to own a gun was one of those consequences. He took the risk now he has to pay the price.

Now whether he knew that gun was in his shop is a whole different ball of wax. More information is needed to know whether he actually knew it was there or not. Considering it's his store I'm inclined to think he did but on the service there is certainly reasonable doubt here.

 

[Number1]

It sucks to be in this guy's situation. After having lost his brother to criminals, who would blame him for wanting to be able to protect himself. There should be provisions in the law to allow for exceptions.

 

[JulesMaximus]

He was a cocaine dealer. He doesn't have a felony record for writing bad checks or using a stolen credit card. I am perfectly OK with him not having the right to own a gun. Should all felons have their firearms rights taken away? Of course not. Should drug dealers and those committing violent crimes? Yes. When he was out selling dope he knew the consequences if he got caught. Losing his right to own a gun was one of those consequences. He took the risk now he has to pay the price.

Now whether he knew that gun was in his shop is a whole different ball of wax. More information is needed to know whether he actually knew it was there or not. Considering it's his store I'm inclined to think he did but on the service there is certainly reasonable doubt here.

Come on, who hasn't bought or sold a little cocaine at least once in their lives? :sneaky:

It's not as though he killed someone.

 

[Texashiker]

I think there is a little technicality that should at the least be mentioned.

While convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms, that rule only applies to modern firearms.

I do not know if this applies to all states, but convicted felons in Texas can own an antique or curio firearm manufactured before 1899, and replicas that do not do not use rim fire or center fire ammunition.

In other words, convicted felons can own a muzzleloader.

So if the guy would have had a muzzleloading shotgun, he might have be within the law.

I know it sounds silly, but its the law.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I think there is a little technicality that should at the least be mentioned.

While convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms, that rule only applies to modern firearms.

I do not know if this applies to all states, but convicted felons in Texas can own an antique or curio firearm manufactured before 1899, and replicas that do not do not use rim fire or center fire ammunition.

In other words, convicted felons can own a muzzleloader.

What the hell good is a replica or a muzzleloader when some gansta is waving an uzi around in your store?

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

this is sad.. but all guns should be illegal. UNLESS FOR HUNTING.


in a perfect world there would be no need for guns (besides hunting)

and.... i quote Ghandi...

"we dont know much about this world, but we do know, the best thing we can be in this world is the change we'd like to see in this world"

I suggest you read up on your Ghandi.

Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest.’’

— Mahatma Ghandi


As far as the current topic, Not shedding a tear here. He commited a felony, not once, but twice. This is why felons are bared from owning firearms. Statistically a convicted felon is more likely to commit another crime, than someone who has not already commited a crime.
He decided to open a shop in a shitty part of town. What did he expect to happen?

 

[BoomerD]

ya it sucks, and there are worse criminals out there, but the law on ex-felon gun ownership is pretty clear. Would I want a gun too if I was in his position? Sure.

But that doesn't give me a legitimate excuse to break the law.

Agreed.

Hines, as a twice-convicted felon, is prohibited by federal law from owning a firearm.

That right there guarantees him jail or federal prison time for possessing a firearm.

I have a lengthy felony record...I don't own any firearms. (rumor says my wife might own several though) 😛

 

[Red Squirrel]

Wow this really sucks. And what about the criminals who put him in danger, they're free to go? WTF is up with the law system? It's suppose to protect, not harm.

I'd be keeping a loaded firearm around too if I had constant people trying to break into my house.

Though a tesla coil could be equally as effective, and more fun. Also less of a mess to cleanup after.

 

[BladeVenom]

twice convicted felon....

GOOD!

Just drug charges though. At least the one conviction they list.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I can't really blame the guy for wanting to defend his business investment and livelihood. Seems kind of stupid to prosecute someone who has turned his life around over something so petty while so many real criminals are out there commiting crimes.

 

[vshah]

It sucks to be in this guy's situation. After having lost his brother to criminals, who would blame him for wanting to be able to protect himself. There should be provisions in the law to allow for exceptions.

huh? the shoe store owner and gas station owner aren't the same guy.

 

[HAL9000]

Sigh...freaken brits

Err what?

Also.

Man is criminal, criminal has gun, criminal is arrested. A+ Police.