Page 1 of 1
Blind N.J. Man Gets Guns Back Years After Police Took Them..
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 5:59 pm
by 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.
Re: Blind N.J. Man Gets Guns Back Years After Police Took Th
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 6:07 pm
by WildBill
The Annoyed Man wrote: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.
Re: Blind N.J. Man Gets Guns Back Years After Police Took Th
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 6:13 pm
by jmra
Now if he could just get the lawmakers to pass a law requiring BG's to wear cowbells...
Re: Blind N.J. Man Gets Guns Back Years After Police Took Th
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 6:41 pm
by 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".
Re: Blind N.J. Man Gets Guns Back Years After Police Took Th
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 7:16 pm
by The Annoyed Man
Oldgringo wrote: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.
Re: Blind N.J. Man Gets Guns Back Years After Police Took Th
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 7:39 pm
by Oldgringo
The Annoyed Man wrote:Oldgringo wrote: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.
Re: Blind N.J. Man Gets Guns Back Years After Police Took Th
Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 2:53 pm
by 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.
Re: Blind N.J. Man Gets Guns Back Years After Police Took Th
Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 3:39 pm
by 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.
Re: Blind N.J. Man Gets Guns Back Years After Police Took Th
Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 3:55 pm
by WildBill
C-dub wrote: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.
Re: Blind N.J. Man Gets Guns Back Years After Police Took Th
Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 5:28 pm
by C-dub
george wrote: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.
Re: Blind N.J. Man Gets Guns Back Years After Police Took Th
Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 7:20 pm
by Oldgringo
WildBill wrote:C-dub wrote: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.