Los Angeles County prosecutors won't file felony charges against actor Dennis Farina for having a gun in his luggage at an airport earlier this month.I wonder if they found me with a handgun at LAX and determined it was not registered with the state of California if they'd figure "there wasn't enough evidence"? Particularly if I was taking it with me to handgun-free Chicago.
I know there would be no evidence that I was a former "Only One," and also no evidence that any Hollywood movers and shakers with access and influence would be pulling for me...
And they haven't decided whether to file misdemeanor charges yet? And LA prosecutors notwithstanding, we're to believe no federal charges are applicable?
Gosh, I'd hate to think there might be two sets of standards in this country.
6 comments:
Ah to be rich and famous,must be nice. While the rest of us have to lock up our guns while going through gun-free zone states,like I gotta this summer. I hate Illinois and Wisconsin with a passion, but go through them to get to Michigan.
It doesn't change the moral dimensions but is Farina truly a 'former' only one - on paper? In some police departments retirees maintain their only ones privleges even after they've left.
Misdemeanor charges are being considered;
see:
http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0243060/
I thought these bits of news were rather eye opening (from a slightly earlier news report):
"The Saving Private Ryan star has issued an apology following his arrest for felony weapons charges, but, according to friends of the 64-year-old actor, he always carries a 'piece' to prepare for unsuspecting assailants out to get him."
[Yeah, same as the rest of us who have concealed carry permits.]
"A source tells The National Enquirer Farina justifies, "There's a lot of bad guys from the old days that I put in prison - but they keep getting out."
[this would also apply to anyone who helped police by testifying as a witness in a high profile case, btw]
"Farina was charged with carrying a concealed weapon following the discovery of the .22 caliber, semi-automatic pistol."
[Heh, Mouse gun. Dude, at least carry something ultra-compact in 9mm, or better yet .40 S&W or .45 acp!]
"Handgun-free Chicago" is a red herring. Failure to declare a firearm and pack it properly on a flight is a federal offense, but properly doing so and flying to Chicago doesn't violate anyone's laws unless your trip actually ends there.
He said he carries to protect himself from vengeful people. That establishes a degree of intent.
He told police he drove to LA from his Arizona home. If he's not a CA resident, that means his gun was not registered there--a CA "wobbler" felony if loaded--and it was.
And the reports say it was not properly packed. It was in his briefcase.
He committed a federal felony.
That he was traveling to handgun free Chicago is merely one more piece of information to consider, in context with everything else, so I maintain it is a legitimate point to raise when evaluating the totality.
I believe chances are good you or I would have been charged with at least one felony under similar circumstances.
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