Posted on 07/22/2005 9:02:56 PM PDT by CHARLITE
Using a gun to resolve an argument is a good way to kill, be killed, or end up in prison.
Though no shots were fired and no one was hurt, the Dunn man who threatened a restaurant manager with a gun could face a quarter century or more in prison if he is prosecuted by the federal government as anticipated, said Dunn Police Det. Anthony Poppler.
Major Alexander Newkirk III, 19, of 51 Saturn Drive, Dunn, is in the Harnett County Jail after being arrested Monday on charges of communicating threats, assault by pointing a gun and possession of a firearm by a felon. He has a prior criminal record dating back to 2002 for larceny, communicating threats and marijuana possession.
Mr. Newkirk is accused of pulling a gun on the Pizza Inn manager after Mr. Newkirk’s sister complained the manager allegedly touched her inappropriately.
Pizza Inn Vice President Fred Rhodes said there is no evidence to support 17-year-old Krystal Newkirk’s claims against the manager, Ronnie Lynn Norris. Miss Newkirk no longer works at the restaurant. And contrary to what customers said, the gun was never fired in the restaurant, Mr. Rhodes said.
Police also say there is no evidence shots were fired.
Weapons Use
Mr. Rhodes said it’s unfortunate when people resort to weapon use to solve disputes. The good part is that the man is behind bars, he said.
“It’s part of their daily lives,” he said. “There are things we have to live with because we’re in a society today where people settle things with guns instead of fists.
“We didn’t cause it to happen, but we were the victim — our business was the victim because of this,” Mr. Rhodes said.
Det. Poppler said more people are using guns to settle disputes.
“Guns are more readily available on the streets now than 10 years ago, and people are readily going to a firearm instead of handling a dispute verbally,” Det. Poppler said. “It produces fear, intimidation and control.”
Most disagreements begin verbally, but if weapons are present they can easily become deadly, Det. Poppler said.
“For example, a domestic violence situation starts verbally, then a slap, then they might brandish a weapon, then eventually end up shooting them,” he said.
Right To Defend From Deadly Force
Det. Poppler said a person has the right to use a firearm for defense when an attacker attempts to use deadly force. But the situation at Pizza Inn and the alleged road rage shooting at Wal-Mart four months ago could have been avoided, he said.
“They should have called 911 and gotten the police there to take care of the situations,” Det. Poppler said.
Such acts are further incited by violent pictures on TV and lyrics in rap music, Det. Poppler said.
“The media portrays this activity in rap videos and movies and teaches our youngsters to use weapons,” he said. “They try to make role models out of rap music artists, and basically saying that such behavior is acceptable.”
Firearm violence can lead to a lengthy prison sentence, Det. Poppler said.
“Dunn Police Department uses the Project Safe Network sentencing guidelines,” he said. “The person can be charged with any three offenses, and the average sentencing is 20 years to life. They will serve the time day for day.”
There are also guidelines for gang, criminal and drug activity. Det. Poppler has experience with firearms charges as the former police chief in Angier.
“In Angier while serving on the police department, we federally indicted 17 people, and the average prison time was 12 years. We now have federal indictments pending on multiple offenders in the City of Dunn,” he said.
Det. Poppler said the four individuals involved in the armed robbery at Friedman’s Jewelers, if convicted, are looking at life in prison.
Mr. Newkirk is likely to be prosecuted by the feds, Det. Poppler said.
“We have contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and we have individuals cooperating with the investigators,” he said. “The individual (if convicted) is looking at 25 years to life in prison, and will actually serve the time. The state charges will be dropped once the federal agent has the indictment in hand. Then the case will be pursued on the federal level.”
Det. Poppler said he is not aware of any local lawyers who represent defendants in federal court.”
“To my knowledge, there is no attorney in Harnett County that can represent an individual in federal court. The average retainer is $10,000 and that’s even with a plea. And even if they work out a plea deal, the person will serve from 50 to 75 percent of the sentencing,” Det. Poppler.
I agree that using violence or the threat of it is no way to settle disputes. Unless that dispute involves somebody threatening your life or property.
So why let cops carry guns, Detective?
gettin' irked's no cause to throw down, that much is true.
It's simple. You can either have guns or anger. Not both. Period.
Up to 25 years for threatening, yet they let cold blooded murderers off much easier with less time on many occasions. What the heck is wrong with people?
What a poorly written, hodge podge of a story here.
"But the situation at Pizza Inn and the alleged road rage shooting at Wal-Mart four months ago could have been avoided, he said."
What is her referring to here? What does this have to do with the current story?
Brandishing my gun stopped me from being carjacked/assaulted many years ago. One look at the gun (not even pointed at him, just shown) and the perp disengaged and left me alone. If I did not have the gun, I might not be writing this today.
"Brandishing my gun stopped me from being carjacked/assaulted many years ago. One look at the gun (not even pointed at him, just shown) and the perp disengaged and left me alone. If I did not have the gun, I might not be writing this today."
Thanks for sharing with us. Glad it turned out good for you. These are the kinds of stories that don't get recognition because I'm guessing most in the situation don't even call the cops since nothing happened except a few thugs turning tail in fear, plus it's not "sensational" enough for the news. But I gurantee if the news focused on stories like this more, the public gun debate would be a lot different.
Translation: Call 911 and the police will show up within 15 minutes to do a body count and write the report.
As one of our FR FRiends tagline reads, "I'd rather be convicted by 12 than carried out by 6", so I guess I'm not a "good" citizen because I would protect my family and myself with a gun.
Every time a felon breaks the law with a weapon, these turds use that as justification to try and disarm responsible, law abiding civilians whose only motive is to protect themselves and their families.
Police departments have clear regulations laying down the circmunstances under which weapons can be drawn, and disciplinary measures for violating them.
The way this incident was reported, there was absolulely no justification for this guy brandishing a weapon. What if the manager had shot him claiming self-defence? Then you have a lose-lose situation all around, and more ammo for the gun grabbers as well. He should do time, IMO. Of course he should not, and will not do 25 years - nothing like it. I'd guess a sentence of 1-2 with a few months actually in the can.
Cops rarely get there in time. They are just too busy.
The way this incident was reported, there was absolulely no justification for this guy brandishing a weapon.
If he'd raped a minor at gunpoint he'd be out in five tops.
Not only did you beat me to it, you said it better than I could.
No argument from me on that one!
Yep. That's why crime rates are up dramatically nationwide.
What? ... Crime rates are down? ... Then I guess this anti-gunner is just spouting nonsense, isn't he?
There have been three times when having a gun has saved my life. Twice, when I was a teenage girl living in the country, people made attempts to get into the family house while my parents were out of town. On the first occasion, I accidentally fired a shot down into the cellar, frightening the intruder away. On the second occasion four guys who had followed me home and were trying to kick their way in through the glass walls of our living room were dissuaded when I showed them the family .38 S&W from the other side of the glass.
On the third occasion, thirteen years ago, a very determined intruder tried extremely hard to get into my house, and my Browning Hi-Power 9 indicated to him that he had made a poor choice of victim.
On all of these occasions, I called 911 and waited and waited and waited for the police to come. It took a very long time before they made an appearance--so long, in fact, that if I had waited for them I would have been long dead or raped.
Most recently, I have had a great deal of trouble with a stalker. The state's attorney put him away for awhile, but he resumed his obsessive fury when he was released. I believe that he has made no attempts on me because I've let him know through channels that I'm carrying, I've had arms training, and I have enough firepower in my house to personally take Syria.
I agree that brandishing a gun and threatening people with it is stupid. But cops in three states have told me point-blank that they cannot protect me and I need to protect myself. I intend to do so.
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