Grief Over Gun Permits; Delays In Renewals, Appeals Lead To Suit [CT]

Hartford Courant ^ | October 8, 2007 | TRACY GORDON FOX

[Daffynition]

James Goldberg was never in trouble with the law, never even had a traffic ticket. And he had no difficulty obtaining a gun permit to carry a pistol to his job as night manager of a liquor store for protection.

So when Glastonbury police seized Goldberg's gun and revoked his permit - following his arrest on charges of breach of peace June 21 at Chili's restaurant after an employee complained about seeing the gun under his T-shirt - friends and family, even the Wethersfield police chief who signed off on the gun permit, figured it was a misunderstanding that would be quickly corrected.

The misdemeanor charge was dismissed about a month later in Superior Court in Manchester, leaving Goldberg, 29, with a clean record. But he will have to wait until May 14, 2009, for a hearing before the Board of Firearms Permit examiners, a civilian board that hears appeals on revoked or denied gun permits.

Goldberg, who has hired an attorney and plans to file a federal lawsuit over the delay, is not alone.

In fact, M. Peter Kuck, secretary of the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners, who was appointed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell for the firearms permit board, has filed his own federal lawsuit against the state police, saying that even he could not have his permit renewed in a timely manner. He cites an average delay of 17 to 20 months and sometimes up to three years that he and others have to wait for a hearing.

[Daffynition]

Due process, Second Amendment ... what's that?

[wastedyears]

[kbennkc]

Keep them concealed folks . This has happened many times just as a result of an anonomous call of man with a gun . Cops check it out , no problem you think , then you get a notice of suspension and you must request a hearing to get it unscrewed .

[loungitude]

Arrested because it was not concealed ENOUGH. What next?

[coloradan]

after an employee complained about seeing the gun under his T-shirt

People with x-ray vision should work airport security, not in restaurants.

[KarlInOhio]

I don't know about Connecticut's laws, but what he did would be illegal in Ohio if Chili's serves alcohol. One topic that was pounded on in a pistol class I took was "Never bring your gun into a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol."

[Fido969]

“Show a gun - go to jail.”

[wastedyears]

I think some places have a rule that you can’t bring a gun into an establishment that makes a certain percent of its income from selling alcohol.

[George from New England]

Is anyone in CT having trouble with the standard 5-year renewal process?

[300magnum]

I personally don’t think a t-shirt will conceal a firearm effectively. If he was going to carry concealed while wearing a t-shirt, he should have either worn a jacket or used an ankle holster.

[2harddrive]

Why does the REVOKING go so much faster than the GRANTING, or REINSTATING? Since it was erroneously revoked, it should be like he never lost his CCW.

[wastedyears]

I have no idea. I don’t own one yet, nor do I know anyone that would go through that trouble.

[ASOC]

Not much of a piece if it can be concealed by a tshirt. (ducks)

Of course in Alaska, you don’t need a permit to carry concealed - so lots of folks carry. OTOH, if/when you get stopped by a cop, following directions to the letter is advised......

I use an inside the waistband grip clip. Works great.

[Daffynition]

Read some of the comments on this article.

If you take a moment to listen to the audio provided in the link below, you'll be outraged. As this proceeds, I hope the courageous Goldberg wins and sues the waitress as well.

This situation is caused by members of law enforcement not knowing the law, and the State Police creating their own laws. In a similar debate Rep. Michael Lawlor said:

Lawlor said there has been an ongoing debate on whether drunken driving constitutes a crime or a motor vehicle violation. "It's a big, technical debate that's gone on a long time. In my mind, it's a crime, and I think the law has to be absolutely clear," he said.

The laws that allow people to obtain permits to carry and the laws regarding the manner in which individuals may carry a firearm DO NOT MANDATE that the weapon be concealed, yet people are harrassed and improperly arrested by police officers who do not know the law.

The State Police make up their own laws, and did NOT LEARN ANYTHING from the major investigation of their policies and proceedures last year.

Now, every individual involved will be afforded the oppurtunity to explain their actions UNDER OATH in the various deposisitons and court hearings that will take place.

If you want to hear stupid statements and listen to the arrogance of the State Police, go to this website and listen for yourself.

http://www.ourrockyhill.com/BOFPE.Clips.htm

The Board of Firearms Permit Examiners meets this Thursday at State Police Headquarters in Middletown at 1:30pm. Everyone who enjoys going to a comedy club should take the time and attend this meeting, there is no charge for admission and it's the best entertainment in the state.

[kbennkc]

What a mess has been created when government is now thinking it is being generous to us with what is one of our God given rights . The time honored tradition of open and honest carry is just about extinguished . Open carry is the tradition of the honest good citizen and now I have a government license to carry my weapon like a thug and wait for them to overreact and treat me like one .

[wastedyears]

If it was local, I’d go to the Stamford court.

[Daffynition]

Your post just about sums it up. It’s not about guns per se ... it’s about control.

[GoldenPup]

Where is the NRA on this issue?? I didn’t see any reference to them in the article. This is clearly a government abuse of power which, of course, the Governor could wipe out with the stroke of a pen (or a serious phone call) if she had any guts. But, there probably aren’t enough gunner voters in Connecticut to get her attention, so the Oligarchy prevails.

[Clemenza]

Very true. I once lived in an open carry state (Washington). Nevertheless, municipalities (such as Seattle) have the power to override the statewide law, and I was told by friends of mine that a holstered firearm was a good way to attract police attention, no matter what the law said.

[Shooter 2.5]

If the guy was a member, he could call the NRA-ILA’s Legislative Councel phone number.