Regular monthly meeting of local gunowners turns into incident with police

[ericire12]

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19687220&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=

DICKSON CITY PENN — A Friday evening police incident spilled over into a Borough Council meeting Tuesday, with gun-rights advocates alleging harassment by two police officers.

The regular monthly meeting erupted into a full-blown debate on the Second Amendment, with more than 20 Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association members — many of whom were openly armed — arguing their right to carry a weapon in public.

Police have yet to release a report of the incident in which a group of customers at Old Country Buffet were questioned about openly carrying handguns in public. At least one of those customers, Rich Banks, of Luzerne County, was detained for refusing to cooperate with police in regard to his concealed .38-caliber handgun, Police Chief William Stadnitski said. Mr. Banks’ weapon remains confiscated, but the chief said he can pick it up at any time.

Pennsylvanians are required to carry a permit for a concealed weapon; however, there are exemptions, such as in the case of Mr. Banks, who Dickson City police later found out had a federal gun-dealer license.

“We don’t feel there was any misconduct. We did what we had to for the safety of the customers,” Chief Stadnitski said of his part-time officers, Karen Gallagher and Anthony Mariano, who responded to the restaurant after 911 received complaints. The chief said no charges will be filed.

But some, like Andrew Koch, disagreed. Mr. Koch drove more than five hours from Pittsburgh to speak out for Mr. Banks and the other gun owners who were “embarrassed, oppressed, harassed and violated” by the police.

“These officers need to be disciplined, and criminal charges need to be brought against them,” Mr. Koch said.

Firearm association members turned out from all over the state at Tuesday’s meeting after postings on Internet sites, such as www.opencarry.org. The co-founder of that site, Lancaster resident Mike Stollenwerk, drove from Washington, D.C., to protest the police conduct.

“Normally when hiccups like this happen, they don’t go as far as gun seizure. ... Usually it gets cleared up much quicker,” he said.

Contacted by The Times-Tribune, Lackawanna County District Attorney Andy Jarbola declined to comment on this specific case, but said people have a right to openly carry a weapon without having to show identification or a permit.

“Police can ask, but if they don’t want to give it, they don’t have to,” he said. “It’s going to be surprising to the public, but that’s the current state of law.”

Ken Merkel, of Kempton, keeps a Glock 27 handgun on his belt as gun- rights advocates gather for dinner at Charlie Brown’s in Dickson City before attending a Dickson City Borough Council meeting Tuesday night. PAMELA SUCHY / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

[Hazcat]

OUTSTANDING!!  Make some noise and stand up for your rights!!

[CurrieS103]

You can bet this will be a highlight at the NRA meeting!

[Swamp Yankee]

It is good to see this here it has been making rounds. I am A member of PAFOA  but was unable to attend due to prior commitments. If you happen to check out there sight there is over 1000 replies to this incident and will take over an hour to read all of the post's. The Local News media reports where week they made it appear that they where looking for some sort of confrontation.

Mike Mc

[pioneer]

The down-side of open carry.  All it takes is a panic-driven soccer mom and an ignorant cop, and things like this happen.  If they had been carrying concealed, it never would have happened.  Yeah, it is their right to open carry, but is it the wisest thing to do?

[Sponsor]

[Hazcat]

Pioneer,

Is that supposed to be an active link?

[Swamp Yankee]

Pioneer it is an age old debate in Open vs Concealed. It all boils down to opinion. If more people chose to open carry it would be more commonplace and would not incite unwarranted fears. In the dark ages it was common place and no one thought twice about it. IT WAS THOSE THAT CARRIED CONCEALED THAT WHERE CONCIDERED A THREAT. But times have changed along with perspectives. Only a very stupid criminal would would commit an illegal act with an openly armed citizen in close proximity. Most LEO's do not like open carry for some reason, they sight lack of training as one cause for concern. If you happen to come out here to the local range the average citizens will tell you straight out the local LEO's can't shoot wort a crap as evidenced by the conditions of the back stops after they use the range. All blown apart is an understatement. Plus on a personal level I have experienced more LEO's miss handling firearms on a regular basis than the local enthusiast.

Mike Mc

[Big Frank]

Pioneer it is an age old debate in Open vs Concealed. It all boils down to opinion. If more people chose to open carry it would be more commonplace and would not incite unwarranted fears. In the dark ages it was common place and no one thought twice about it. IT WAS THOSE THAT CARRIED CONCEALED THAT WHERE CONCIDERED A THREAT. But times have changed along with perspectives. Only a very stupid criminal would would commit an illegal act with an openly armed citizen in close proximity. Most LEO's do not like open carry for some reason, they sight lack of training as one cause for concern. If you happen to come out here to the local range the average citizens will tell you straight out the local LEO's can't shoot wort a crap as evidenced by the conditions of the back stops after they use the range. All blown apart is an understatement. Plus on a personal level I have experienced more LEO's miss handling firearms on a regular basis than the local enthusiast.

Mike Mc

Most cops don't know $h!t about guns, or gun laws. Knife laws either for that matter. They get paid to enforce laws that they have no clue about. I found this out after getting a gun and some knives confiscated, each on seperate occasions.

[tombogan03884]

Most cops don't know $h!t about guns, or gun laws. Knife laws either for that matter. They get paid to enforce laws that they have no clue about. I found this out after getting a gun and some knives confiscated, each on seperate occasions.

This is true, many cops have no clue as to the gun laws in their jurisdiction. I do not ENTIRELY  blame the individual Officers though. 1) incomplete training and lack of communication to officers of laws and changes in laws is part of the problem but also, WE are only concerned with one set of laws, the ones pertaining to fire arms, Cops are supposed to know about Traffic laws, drug laws, search and seizure laws, rules of evidence, property laws etc etc.
Often, if I've got enough pockets, I will carry a copy of the NH gun laws, if I'm ever confronted over the matter the officer does not have to just take my word, He may not believe me, but it raises a question in his mind and gives him an incentive to ask some one before he does something that gets Laconia into another losing lawsuit.