Jail for Burress?
Alphecca has a link to a quote from Mayor Mike, calling for Plaxico Burress’ head for carrying his gun without the required New York state pistol permit. He goes on to comment:
While I agree that sports stars, Hollywood stars, politicians, et al, shouldn’t be above the law and should suffer the same penalties as the peasants, I also feel that the fact that NYC makes it darn near impossible for the average law abiding citizen to obtain a CCW permit should be a mitigating factor. The biggest crime Burress is guilty of is stupidity by ignoring proper gun safety.
As a refugee from New York, I know the New York permit system very well. Permits are issued by judges in each county, and the issuing judge has the legal ability to limit your permit as he or she sees fit. A judge could literally write a permit for “range only, alternate Tuesday’s.” Therefore, they type of permit that you get…full carry or “home only” is entirely up to the whim of the issuing judge. No permit is good for New York City, except those issued in New York City. Even a permit for a gun in your home takes about a year to get (never mind that the statue specifies a maximum 6 month wait) and costs several hundred dollars. If you are rich, famous, or both, of course, the process is much easier.
I agree with Alphecca that Mr. Burress’ crime doesn’t warrant the 3.5 years in jail that Bloomie is calling for. However, when celebraties and people with “pull” start feeling the sting of the opressive laws that the rest of us face….those laws will change. The only reason a permit system like the one in New York can continue is those with pull can get through the system with a wink and a nod. Get rid of the loopholes, and things may start to ease for the rest of us.
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