Visitor to 9/11 memorial told police of loaded gun, was arrested

[PegLeg45]

Visitor to 9/11 memorial told police of loaded gun, was arrested

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/12/woman-arrested-for-having-gun-at-911-memorial-.html


A Tennessee tourist who says she unwittingly broke New York's weapons laws by visiting the 9/11 memorial with a loaded gun -- legal in her home state -- faces 3 1/2 years behind bars for the error, which came to light when she asked guards where she could store her weapon while touring the memorial.

The Dec. 22 incident underscores the disparity in gun-carrying laws among states; some, like New York, ban the carrying of loaded guns and don't recognize the permits issued in other states for visitors carrying weapons. Opponents of strict gun laws argue that the right to bear arms, as outlined in the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution, should take precedence and that it is unfair for people like the tourist, Meredith Graves, to be caught in the middle of different states' regulations.

Local media reports have described Graves as a 39-year-old medical student who was in the area for a job interview and decided to visit the site of the fallen World Trade Center towers with her husband, and her loaded .32-caliber pistol. When she saw the signs reading "No guns allowed," Graves asked a security guard where she could check the loaded weapon in her purse, according to the New York Post.

Graves was arrested on suspicion of carrying a loaded weapon. She could face a minimum of 3 1/2 years in prison. She was freed on bail Wednesday and is due to appear in court in March.

More at link above

[Timothy]

New York lawmakers are reportedly asking the Manhattan District Attorney's Office to show mercy to a Tennessee tourist who was arrested for bringing a gun to the 9/11 Memorial.

City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., D-Queens, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, personally asked Cyrus Vance Jr.’s office not to push for the 3 1/2-year minimum sentence for Meredith Graves, 39, the New York Post reports.

“By prosecuting this woman and seeking 3 1/2 years of jail, we are shooting our own [gun-control] efforts in the foot and giving the rest of the country ammunition,” Vallone said.

Graves had a .32-caliber Kel-Tec handgun in her purse when she went to the memorial on Dec. 22 and tried to check it with a cop after she saw a sign reading “No Guns.”

Vallone cited a recently passed House bill that would allow people to carry registered guns between all states regardless of local laws.

“Clearly, the laws are too strict here, but that’s something we need to work out for ourselves without honoring licenses to carry guns in states where felons can carry them,” he said.

After Graves was arrested, police found a white substance in her purse. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is awaiting test results before considering charges, the Post reports.

Councilman Vincent Ignizio, R-Staten Island, said he fears that cops and prosecutors are trying to make an example of Graves.

“It seems like this is more about making an example of her than it is punitive measures for her offense,” Ignizio said. “And I just think a judge will take that into consideration when handing down her sentence.”


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/12/30/new-york-lawmakers-reportedly-ask-for-mercy-for-tourist-arrested-with-gun-at-11/?test=latestnews#ixzz1i3nYKoWW

[Magoo541]

Vallone cited a recently passed House bill that would allow people to carry registered guns between all states regardless of local laws.

“Clearly, the laws are too strict here, but that’s something we need to work out for ourselves without honoring licenses to carry guns in states where felons can carry them,” he said.

Where would that be or is he referring to politicians from other states?

[kmitch200]

City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., D-Queens, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, personally asked Cyrus Vance Jr.’s office not to push for the 3 1/2-year minimum sentence for Meredith Graves, 39, the New York Post reports.

So the prick was OK with it up to this point?

If a law stinks today when a normal law abiding but seriously ill informed person gets smacked with it, it stunk just as bad the days before.