Blind N.J. Man Gets Guns Back Years After Police Took Them..

[The Annoyed Man]

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.

[WildBill]

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.

[jmra]

Now if he could just get the lawmakers to pass a law requiring BG's to wear cowbells...

[Oldgringo]

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".

[The Annoyed Man]

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.

[Oldgringo]

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.

[dcphoto]

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.

[C-dub]

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.

[WildBill]

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.

[C-dub]

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.

[Oldgringo]

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.