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.
It's interesting that you say that. When I'm armed, I'm a completely different person than I am otherwise. Much calmer.
Slain NJ Teacher's Tape Reveals More Evidence, Too Bad She Did Not Have a GUN!!
Det Poppler talks like he wants to be a police chief someday.
In other words, he's not a real cop but a politician.
Or practicing to be one
Someone ask Det. Anthony Poppler how he feels about private armies. You know, those security forces for the wealthy like Teddy Kennedy and Bill Gates has. Also those rented private armies that Hollywood elitists like Rosie O'Donut has. Or how about the taxpayer paid armies that little richie daley of Chicago has. Then ask him why is he worried about a shopkeeper's .38.
No, they don't SOLVE disputes, they END 'em!!!!!!!!
You said what all law abiding Americans need to read, "cops in three states have told me point-blank that they cannot protect me and I need to protect myself."
This doesn't include telling everyone that you carry or have a weapon available. Only those who are a threat should ever need to learn this information.
Project Safe Neighborhoods is Federal. A while back it was debated, as it trumps State's Rights. What it does do is scares the gang leaders from packing. It hard time.
This is just an anti-gun piece.
This guy was a convicted felon and criminal, not a law abiding legally armed citizen.
My wife attended a gun class Thursday and will go to firing range Sat to qualify for CCW permit.
Thanks for sharing. My wife is qualifying for CCW tomorrow.
What's the matter with you guys? Read the article.
The guy had a felony conviction therefore he could not legally own or be in possession of a handgun must less have a CCP.
It is a federal crime for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to try to buy, own or be in possession of a handgun.
This guy had to be a fruit cake to be around a gun must less pull one for lousy service. He must have wanted to go back to jail.
He could be looking at a minimum of ten years in federal prison and $20,000 in fines that's why the feds are involved. Brandishing is the least of his worries.
Right! This is what "enforce the laws we already have" mantra is about.
I believe that with more people packin the less apt people are to get angry.
So, Det Poppler, you DO locally enforce federal law when it suits you; it is just federal immigration law local forces have no duty to enforce?
“They should have called 911 and gotten the police there to take care of the situations,” Det. Poppler said.
Juneau Empire
02/26/02
Two pounds of iron can even things out
In response to Mr. Adams's letter "No reason to own a gun," I
laughed when I read the comment on our "excellent police force"
keeping him safe. If being kept safe to Mr. Adams equates with how
fast they are on the scene after a crime is committed, then they are
indeed "excellent." This is not meant to insult the local police.
Just stating the obvious.
His words have the ring of a typical new age coward who is willing
to trade freedom for the false security of government control over
every aspect of their life. Unwilling (and obviously incapable) of
defending himself, he wishes to prevent anyone else from being able
to do so. This, in some mysterious way, makes him feel safe.
Reading between the lines, I made note of the comment about not
needing a gun for subsistence purposes. It automatically makes me
suspect that the next item on his list for the betterment of society
is to outlaw hunting, then fishing, then perhaps meat eating.
A passage from a recently read novel sums it up for me:
"Armed people are free. No state can control those who have the
machinery and the will to resist, no mob can take their liberty and
property. And no 220-pound thug can threaten the well being or
dignity of a 110-pound woman who has two pounds of iron to even
things out."
While Mr. Adams apparently trembles in fear at the very thought that
his neighbors might be armed, I find it comforting to know that my
neighbor is prepared to defend himself and perhaps his neighbor if
need be.
While Mr. Adams might feel secure in a society where only government
officials are permitted to be armed, I find such a prospect
frightening.
I am sure that Mr. Adams will feel very secure, if he is ever in a
life-threatening situation, to use his threat to dial 911 as a
defense. "Hold it right there! I have a cell phone and I'm not
afraid to use it"!!!
One thing for certain, Mr. Adams, anyone looking for a likely target
has already been informed by your letter that you are a much better
one than I.
Ed
So...this isn't about gun rights at all. It's about a punk-ass kid who's got a criminal background acting like (surprise!) a punk-ass kid who's got a criminal background.
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