FoxNews.com: Philly Gun Owner Charged “with disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment”

FoxNews.com is reporting that Mark Fiorino, a suburban Philadelphia IT worker is facing jail time for “disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment,” for reportedly openly carrying a handgun in Philly – which he had a permit for. An officer reportedly confronted Fiorino, apparently not knowing that open carry was completely legal in the city of Brotherly Love with a permit.

But rather than apologize and drop the matter the city is throwing the book at Fiorino and taking aim at other gun owners. Lt. Raymond Evers, a spokesman for the city police, reportedly told FoxNews.com “that gun owners who open carry, which is legal in the city, may be asked to lay on the ground until officers feel safe while they check permits.”

Additionally FoxNews.com noted:

“The warning comes after Mark Fiorino, a suburban Philadelphia IT worker, posted an audiotape to YouTube of his tense, 45-minute encounter with police in February over his exposed handgun. The video went viral and captured national attention.”

Our best wishes to Fiorino for standing up for his (and all of our) rights.

Philadelphia Weekly: “Cops Don’t Know Their Own Gun Laws”

Do we expect the police to know the law? We do, but this week The Philadelphia Weekly offered an interesting story titled, “Open-Carry Experiment Shows Cops Don’t Know Their Own Gun Laws.”

The story notes that gun-rights activist Mark Fiorino took a stroll around the City of Brotherly Love with a holstered firearm. The author noted:

“One city cop, who requested anonymity, said that he was unaware carrying a firearm openly within the city limits was legal.”

The story further noted that it is legal to carry openly within Philadelphia as long as you have a license, and open carry is legal throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

MSNBC’s Mitchell Says “Somebody’s Got to Listen in Washington” on Gun Control

Our friends at Newsbusters are reporting that MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell once again called out for “gun control.” Is this news or commentary we ask? Speaking to Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia, Mitchell talked about gun control. She threw a softball question on the subject, but then offered this thought:

“Well it’s going to take national leadership. You and Mike Bloomberg, the other mayors, have all been yelling and screaming about it, but somebody’s got to listen in Washington.”

So much for even a softball question! At this point Mitchell is practically a spokesperson for Nutter.

Philadelphia Inquirer Calls for Closure of Loophole

Yet another rallying cry from a group of newspaper editors to close a loophole, stating that it was the gun that was the issue, not the criminal. This time The Philadelphia Inquirer actually noted in its weekend editorial:

“If Florida officials hadn’t helped a Philadelphia man skirt the city’s strict handgun-permit rules, a would-be thief might have gotten a chance to mend his ways.” Read more

Philadelphia Gun Law Ruling – Good With the Bad

This week the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a mixed verdict regarding Philadelphia’s gun laws. With it comes some good and some bad (depending on what side you’re on). However, even in this ruling, there is bias in the media.

The Philadelphia Weekly offered this cheat sheet on the law:

• The city is allowed to force its citizens to report a lost or stolen gun within 24 hours.
• Police are allowed to seize guns from those “considered to pose a risk to themselves or others.”
• Those subject to a protection-from-abuse order may not own a firearm within the city.
• Want an assault weapon? You’re good.
• Need to purchase more than one gun a month? No problem. Have as many as you want!

Notice that there is no cynical humor for the parts the writer’s seem to agree with “Police are allowed to seize guns,” but with other parts of the bill there is clearly a mocking tone? Was this really necessary?

Phily Gun Control Group Offers Op-Ed Piece

The headline sounded like an April’s Fools joke: “Phila. Gun control program is working.” But that is because Phil Goldsmith, board president of CeaseFirePA, wrote this editorial for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The problem with this editorial is that it offers quotes that support the argument, while offering no counter-point. Yes, it is an editorial and doesn’t need the counterpoint, but it just shows that Goldsmith doesn’t have a strong enough argument to make his case. Worse still is the fact that he notes Philadelphia is safer, yet still calls for “reform of gun laws.”

If the city is already safe, and he says gun control is working, then why reform the gun laws – something that to us would only effect law-abiding gun owners, and clearly not criminals? What is the point? Could it be that this isn’t so much about crime, but rather that CeaseFirePA would like to see a gun-free zone that is much larger than merely the city of brotherly love?

Editorialized Philly Gun Story Passed Off as News

Philly.com, home for The Philadelphia Daily News, has run a highly editorialized piece under the guise of news. Ironically, it ran said piece in the local news section, but yet it is about a gun law and those with ties to Florida. So is this really national news? 

The story covers the main points without too much bias:

“Pennsylvania’s firearms reciprocity agreements require the state to recognize permits from 24 other states that have permit laws as strict or stricter than its own and that those states, in turn, recognize Pennsylvania weapons permits.

“Among the states covered, there are three – Florida, Utah and New Hampshire – that allow out-of-state residents to get permits even if they don’t qualify or apply for permits in their home state.” Read more

Newark to Offer Gun Buyback Program, But Will it Get Guns Off the Street?

Newark is the latest city in the Garden State to introduce a buyback program, which will begin next month. Philly.com points out that the homicide rate has actually fallen in recent years, but has crept back up this year, prompting the program.

It will be interesting to see whether this program, which will give $200 for each firearm, will actually reduce crime. As we’ve questioned all year, do gun buybacks actually get guns out of criminal’s hands and off the street? Or does it just get poor people to turn over potentially value items? You be the judge.

Criminal Charged With Smuggling Gun Onto Plane Sentenced

What is wrong with this picture? Many cities are making it harder and harder for law abiding citizens to obtain firearms, but the government is barely punishing those who break the law. Damien Young has been sentenced to just eight weekends in prison for trying to smuggle a 9mm handgun onto a plane that was to travel from Philadelphia to Phoenix, reports Philly.com.

So the question is why is Young getting a slap on the wrist. Yes, he did have a permit for the weapon, but he broke the law. Meanwhile many individuals are having a harder and harder time obtaining a permit in Philadelphia. This just isn’t justice.