He Just Doesn't Get It

Typical Airport Checkpoint X-Ray Unit

Georgia Felon sentenced for 'Forgetting' Stolen Handgun In Carry-On Luggage

Full story at: http://pittsburgh.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/2008/pt111408b.htm

Joseph J. Bobbitt, Jr.has been sentenced 36 months' imprisonment, followed by three years supervised release for violating federal firearms laws.

Here is a short list of some of his offenses:
1. possession of stolen property
2. convicted felon in possession of a firearm
3. possession of firearm in an airport restricted area
4. and not stated but chances are good he was in possession of ammunition in a airport restricted area.


Soap Box Ravings says here is another example of the failure of laws to keep people in line.

While sometimes people forget they are carrying, it would be much harder to do if you have been previously convicted in court of a felony. Particularly when you have been pointedly instructed in the meaning of your conviction by the court and again by correctional officials.

As an retired airport police officer I really have to wonder how anyone in this country could not know about airport security.

Soap Box ravings feels that this person got off relatively light based on the federal charges against him. The good point of the story is the federal prison system does not give away as much time for good behavior as some of the states do.

Go Get'm Gun Mom

Permitted Open Carry Gun Mom

Pistol-packing Pennsylvania Soccer Mom Sues Lebanon County Sheriff

Full story available at: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=157&sid=4352239

A Pennsylvania woman sued Lebanon County Sheriff Michael DeLeo for violating her Second Amendment rights. The sheriff had revoked her concealed-weapons permit, without a hearing, after parents complained of her wearing her holstered pistol to her 5-year-old daughter's soccer game.

In Pennsylvania, persons 18 years of age and older whom are not prohibited by law from owning firearms may openly carry a handgun in plain sight with no license except in vehicles*, cities of the first class** (Philadelphia) and where prohibited specifically by statute. Ref.: Title 18, ch.61, Subchapter A. Uniform Firearms Act & Commonwealth v. Ortiz

As a retired law enforcement officer, Soap Box Ravings does not like to see law enforcement capriciously enforcing the law.

Soap Box Ravings believes if laws are on the books, they need to be enforced. If management (e.g. Governors, Mayors, Sheriffs or Chiefs of Police) feel laws should not be enforced then they should go on record as trying to rescind the laws in question.

Soap Box Ravings also does not believe that enforcers of the law should bend laws to resolve problems some members of the public may see. It would appear in this case, that since Pennsylvania allows open carry, with some restrictions, that this soccer mom broke no laws. When somewhat suffers consequences of the law and the law does not exist it would seem to be to be very similar to false arrest.

Another problem for law enforcement is that many Departments do not formally update their officers on the changes in law that occur every year. By the time the available handbooks are on the market, and they are not cheap, it can be half a year after the law took affect. Soap Box Ravings feels that police administrators are responsible to make sure their deputies and officers know the laws in effect.

Go get'm gun Mom!!!!