Jack E. Kemp
Mark Meckler, co-founder of Tea Party Patriots, faced the judge today.
Back in December, CBS News reported that Meckler had,
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57344080/tea-partys-mark-meckle...
"...tried to check in for a Delta flight to Detroit with a locked gun box containing a Glock pistol and 19 cartridges of ammunition, Queens prosecutors said.Meckler, 49, declared the weapon, as required, authorities said. He's licensed to carry the gun in Grass Valley,
Calif., where he lives, but that license isn't valid in New York, which has strict rules on carrying concealed weapons, they said."
END OF QUOTE
Mr. Meckler was taken to jail in Queens County in handcuffs that day, according to his website (see below).
While I was waiting for the assigned courtroom for the Meckler case to open at the Queens County, NY, Criminal Court Building this morning, a young man outside the courtroom spoke with me about the judge, the Hon. Dorothy Chin-Brandt.
"This judge here doesn't play."
But Mark Meckler's attorney, Brian Stapleton, had negotiated a deal with the prosecution to plead guilty on one charge, while others were dismissed. Judge Chin-Brandt, ruled that Mr. Meckler should pay a $250 fine and $120 in court costs. The judge stated that he had to avoid further charges for one year, so I assume he is on some kind of one year's probation. She also stated a new violation within that year could or would result in a multi-year criminal sentence.
Mr. Meckler had this information to add, in his own words, at his website this afternoon:
http://www.markmeckler.com/nyc-gun-charges-dropped-now-i-can-speak-...
BEGIN QUOTE
I am pleased to announce that the criminal case against me has been dropped. Although I was originally charged with a violent felony, the case against me was resolved with a plea to “disorderly conduct. ” Disorderly Conduct is not a felony or a misdemeanor, or even a crime. The facts underlying my plea are that I declared a legally purchased, properly licensed and unloaded firearm at an airport counter. Apparently, much to my surprise, in New York City, it is considered “disorderly conduct” to exercise your constitutionally guaranteed, Second Amendment rights.
Strangely, now that the case against me is over, the authorities refuse to return my firearm. There is no law that allows them to confiscate a weapon in this manner. They simply say “no” when you ask for your weapon back. This is apparently their “policy.” It is done regularly in New York. This is government robbery. Not only is New York City anti-Second Amendment rights, but they are depriving citizens of their legally owned property. My lawyer has advised me that I can attempt to pursue the return of my firearm, but that to do so would cost me more than the firearm is worth.
END OF QUOTE
Sitting near Mr. Meckler this morning before his appearance before the judge, I identified myself and talked to him about Tea Party Nation having written an article urging a boycott of tourism in New York because of this harsh law that resulted in his - and others' - arrests. Meckler replied, "They're a lot of good people in New York."
Considering the Tea Party Patriot co-founder minutes later would be told he just was required to pay a fine and then go free - and didn't have to stand trial or get sentenced to long jail time - New York people were fairly good to Mark Meckler today. Yet New York's seizing his gun is something that doesn't happen in what I like to call "The Real America," the land west of the Hudson River and east of the California-Oregon-Washington State borders. Perhaps we can retake the Coastal cities from European cultural control. After all, since New York and California are all but broke, the European mindset may have to sell them back to America as Spain did with Florida in 1819. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Purchase
Comment
Comment by Jack Kemp on January 17, 2012 at 8:45am Mr. Kelly, in March the jewelry salesman - and former US Marine - who got arrested on the same charges at the Empire State Building in Manhattan will be in court. Already Marines are lining up online to defend him. Even a former Marine and now attorney from Boston is gathering support online. You can find out more from this NY Post article: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/tourist_brothers_in_arms_Oe97gvIrpTK4Sm2Hxl6HbK
I don't think the ex-Marine would take a "cost of business" attitude towards having his gun "confiscated" (in my opinion, stolen) by NY City. Unlike Mark Meckler, he doesn't have Tea Party Patriots to run/manage as his first priority. I could be wrong, but my opinion is that this ex-Marine's case will bring a more visceral reaction from the defendant.
Comment by Mr kelley on January 17, 2012 at 7:27am He should have stayed an fought for his rights. It shouldnt have been about what the weapon costs to win. He gave up his rights without a fight and I know for a fact if he asked for donations from us we would have gladly funded his trials all the way up to the S. Court. It only takes one person to start a fire and we should be ashamed that he is the co-founder of the tea party He's a coward and will reject his conservative thinking for a price.
Samual adams put it this way:
"If Ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom fo home from us in peace.We ask not your counsel nor your arms.Crouch down and lick thek hands whick feed you May your chains set lightly upon you , and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen"
He should quit now and let others with heart lead the movement.
Comment by Larry W Brown on January 13, 2012 at 9:53am Even if justice could prevail in a challenge.... like the attorney said at what expense. That's why it's everyone's fight and not just the one individual. With the procedure he followed how is this possible in America? How can US Constitutional law be ignored by a city or state regulation unless we just stand by and let it happen? Sorry... but I do not see this as a win. When our founding fathers sacrificed all to make it happen and we cant endure incarceration nothing will change. These people laugh at the threat of no tourism but monetary loss will get there attention. Similar to the abortion issue and what it would take to bring change. People protest... get arrested... pay a fine to enrich the arresting authority and do it again and pay again. Hello? Until we are willing to sacrifice all like our founding fathers and fill the jails with honest concerned citizens that refuse to pay any fines... then see how quickly any law changes. Only the masses of God fearing honest citizens staying behind bars will change the injustice of Net York and the likes on the gun issue and the abortion issue. One person will do nothing but one million persons behind bars will set things strait. Any volunteers for peaceful protest behind bars...? no other method or location will do the job as effectively and quickly.
Comment by MUG on January 13, 2012 at 9:43am If Eric Holder was s decent and honest citizen he would honor his oath to uphold the Constitution and turn the Justice Departments attention to illegal confiscation of property a citizen has the Constitution right to possess.
Oh that's right, he's busy reneging on protecting our border, another Constitutional duty he swore an oath to uphold, and is engaged in stopping states from doing his duty for him.
Duty - Honor - Country: "Words? Just Words?" Words with no meaning to the Obama White House.
Comment by dennis klein on January 13, 2012 at 9:26am So what if the getting your gun back cost more - go after the judge/new york city and anyone else who gets in your way. Second where is the NRA? I came from NYC and fought 3 years to get back 85 rifles 25 black powder handguns -10,000 rounds of ammo . I won in the long run and cost the city so much money they offer me a gundealers licence just to try to keep me in control . I also held a class 3 collectors lic at the time . Go get them
Comment by Larry Self on January 13, 2012 at 8:58am Where is the NRA on this? Did they even bother to get involved? You would think this could be an anti-Second Amendment lawsuit they would pursue. If anything, for the theft of his gun.
Why not urge a boycott? I am sure there were "fairly good" people in Berlin and Hiroshima but that didn't stop us from taking action to defend freedom.
Comment by Hector Torres on January 13, 2012 at 8:17am Puerto Rico is another 2d amendment violator like New York. I was born there. Boycott tourism there too.I don't see the "win" some people see. He had to go to court, he was fined, and his weapon was confiscated. I will never visit any state that does not honor the Constitution including my home territory.
Comment by m phillips on January 13, 2012 at 6:23am I just love those last two lines. I hope Mr Meckler won't be framed in the next year and I hope he gets his gun back. That's two (Obama vs Lutheran Church and Mr Mecklers appearance in court) wins for the good guys this week. Keep 'em coming.
Comment by VernonC on January 12, 2012 at 10:31pm He was set up, the TSA clowns that checked his weapon in when he boarded advised the TSA clowns in New York, you can be sure that those in California didn't warn him that the weapon would be a problem in New York. It can be said that Mr. Meckler wasn't without fault, carrying a firearm is a serious responsibility and should be considered seriously when the news regularly reports problems on carrying weapons of any kind on public transportation. Too bad the Justice Department and the ATF couldn't track firearms going into Mexico as assiduously, perhaps they could take some lessons from the TSA.
Comment by Jim Wahl on January 12, 2012 at 9:20pm Hasn't the King of NY heard of the Supreme Court ruling last year that states the serfs of DC have the same rights as the other free lands of this great country? I think it is a shame that the NY taxpayers (and those who visit) have no right to self defense. If NY were so safe why do the Royals feel the need to carry? Bloomberg carrys a Glock 23. It's way past time to take them to the Supreme Court.
© 2013 Created by Judson Phillips.
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