Fine Points of the Law

[Big Frank]

Meleanie Hain's Pennsylvania concealed-weapons permit was revoked in September after spectators complained about her openly carrying her loaded, holstered Glock at her 5-year-old daughter's soccer game.  However, the only penalty under state law is the loss of the privilege of concealment, so that if Hain continues to carry the gun, she must do so openly. [Times Leader (Wilkes Barre)-AP, 9-26-08]

Let this sink in and see if it makes sense. She wasn't carrying concealed so now she can't carry concealed. The penalty for carrying openly is that she can only carry openly. - Frank 

[MikeBjerum]

All I can think of is all the laws I'd love to break in PA    That has got to be one fun State and the courts have to be a Party Zone 

[Fatman]

I don't think the ruling was correct. PA is an open carry state, and part of the logic was to prevent charges of 'brandishing' if your concealed weapon showed.

PA is a Commonwealth and as such, the system can be a bit odd.  This probably was brought in front of a District Judge as a summary offense case. No jury, and the judge actually is elected,and as far as I know, need not even have a law degree.  That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but you could also run into 'Voted Most Popular' in high school.

Now you're gonna make me investigate. 

[Fatman]

OK. Worse than a bad judge. A sheriff...

Pistol-packing soccer mom can again carry weapon

LEBANON, Pa. — A mother who angered fellow parents when she wore a holstered pistol at her 5-year-old daughter’s soccer game got her concealed weapons permit back Tuesday after a judge overruled a sheriff’s decision to revoke it. M...

The article is archived and only the lead in is available on site at the moment.

I can tell you what I think happened, and will try to get the whole story later.  The Open Carry movement is very active around here, and they often carry open and have run-ins with the local law when people call in 'man/woman with a gun'.  For the most part it was a non-issue, but recently NE PA has seen a large influx of former NY metro area residents, and areas around Philly have seen Philly residents move out in rather large numbers. It could be they are conditioned by a life of anti-rights propaganda, or the only people they ever saw with a sidearm in public was a cop or a criminal.  Why the move out? Seeing who the people are, and how they act, I'd safely call the majority of them as Community Reinvestment Act mortgage recipients.

Personal experience - in my development, you should hear how some of the adults (over 30, too) talk.   4 years ago two moms at the school bus stop (k-4) started arguing loudly and calling each other 'ghetto' which quickly escalated to 'ho' and other fun words and phrases. Kids were present. One went to her car and started to take a bat to the other one. I had already picked my daughter up and was in the car turning the corner when I heard and saw this.  Trooper shows up 4 hours later and gives a summons to the one that live directly across the street from me.

[Big Frank]

All I can think of is all the laws I'd love to break in PA    That has got to be one fun State and the courts have to be a Party Zone 

There must be some laws worth breaking that involve sex, drugs, and rock & roll. 

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

             

There must be some laws worth breaking that involve sex, drugs, and rock & roll. 

With that picture I would assume that you've already got most of them 

[MikeBjerum]

             

With that picture I would assume that you've already got most of them 

I've wondering if it was a night with the cat ?

[Hazcat]

I've wondering if it was a night DRINKING with the cat ?

I thought I'd refine your remark. 

[MikeBjerum]

I thought I'd distill your remark. 

As long as we're editing 

[Hazcat]

As long as we're editing 

Touche'!