ROCKAWAY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — A blind New Jersey man is declaring victory in a legal battle over his gun collection.
The state confiscated his weapons citing safety, but now a judge’s order — citing the right to bear arms — means he will get them back.
{snip}
That episode began a legal battle that wound up in Morris County Superior Court. Prosecutors argued Hopler shouldn’t have guns because he’s a danger. However, a judge ruled otherwise, saying his disability shouldn’t take away his constitutional right to bear arms.
Interesting stuff. Here you have a judge in a predominantly anti-gun state ruling that a man's disability, which would make many people take pause when considering the public safety issues involved, has no bearing on his rights. I think it is a good decision.
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
The Annoyed Man wrote:Blind N.J. Man Gets Guns Back Years After Police Took Them Away Judge Rules Steven Hopler's Disability Can't Take Away Right To Bear Arms
May 12, 2012 12:06 AM http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/05/12/ ... ated-them/
ROCKAWAY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — A blind New Jersey man is declaring victory in a legal battle over his gun collection.
The state confiscated his weapons citing safety, but now a judge’s order — citing the right to bear arms — means he will get them back.
{snip}
That episode began a legal battle that wound up in Morris County Superior Court. Prosecutors argued Hopler shouldn’t have guns because he’s a danger. However, a judge ruled otherwise, saying his disability shouldn’t take away his constitutional right to bear arms.
Interesting stuff. Here you have a judge in a predominantly anti-gun state ruling that a man's disability, which would make many people take pause when considering the public safety issues involved, has no bearing on his rights. I think it is a good decision.
Not to make light of this correct NJ decision or the visually challenged, but I watched a guy trying to enter the Lakeside, MT library last Thursday even though there was a large sign on his chosen entrance that said "Please Use Other Door".
Oldgringo wrote:Not to make light of this correct NJ decision or the visually challenged, but I watched a guy trying to enter the Lakeside, MT library last Thursday even though there was a large sign on his chosen entrance that said "Please Use Other Door".
Couldn't have been me. I was in Florida, not Montana.
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
Oldgringo wrote:Not to make light of this correct NJ decision or the visually challenged, but I watched a guy trying to enter the Lakeside, MT library last Thursday even though there was a large sign on his chosen entrance that said "Please Use Other Door".
Couldn't have been me. I was in Florida, not Montana.
When I saw this, I called out to Marty, one of the volunteer Librarians, "Hey Marty, a blind guy is tryin' to get in the library". I think she may have chortled..just a little bit.
This is the town I grew up in. Having known the Chief of Police for many years this doesn't surprise me in any way, whatsoever. I don't know Mr. Hopler, but I'm glad the courts ruled in his favor.
I remember reading about this. The judge ordered that his guns be returned and that the guy would make arrangements on the following Monday. I think the police department was still stonewalling and trying to avoid have to actually return them. After so long, I wondered if they really still had them or if they'd had them destroyed.
I am not and have never been a LEO. My avatar is in honor of my friend, Dallas Police Sargent Michael Smith, who was murdered along with four other officers in Dallas on 7.7.2016. NRA Patriot-Endowment Lifetime Member---------------------------------------------Si vis pacem, para bellum.................................................Patriot Guard Rider
C-dub wrote:I remember reading about this. The judge ordered that his guns be returned and that the guy would make arrangements on the following Monday. I think the police department was still stonewalling and trying to avoid have to actually return them. After so long, I wondered if they really still had them or if they'd had them destroyed.
george wrote:I certainly do hold them in contempt.
They may have actually returned them, but I couldn't find anything after the ruling that said they did.
I am not and have never been a LEO. My avatar is in honor of my friend, Dallas Police Sargent Michael Smith, who was murdered along with four other officers in Dallas on 7.7.2016. NRA Patriot-Endowment Lifetime Member---------------------------------------------Si vis pacem, para bellum.................................................Patriot Guard Rider
C-dub wrote:I remember reading about this. The judge ordered that his guns be returned and that the guy would make arrangements on the following Monday. I think the police department was still stonewalling and trying to avoid have to actually return them. After so long, I wondered if they really still had them or if they'd had them destroyed.
I hope the judge holds them in contempt.
, and furthermore, orders full restitution and damages for loss of consortium and anything else applicable.
