Reporter caught taking gun into Allegheny Co. courthouse

[HiredGoon]

UPDATE

KDKA Radio's Milford resigns over gun incident
Thursday, June 19, 2008
By Adrian McCoy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Radio station news reporter Rob Milford has resigned following his arrest on Monday for carrying a loaded hand gun into the Allegheny County Courthouse.

Mr. Milford, 53, was charged with carrying a firearm without a license and possession of a firearm in a court facility. KDKA news reports said that Mr. Milford, a reporter for KDKA-AM radio, and the station came to a mutual agreement regarding his departure.

Earlier this week, the station had suspended Mr. Milford following the incident. He faces a preliminary hearing on July 26.

[Philadelphia]

Originally Posted by HiredGoon

UPDATE

KDKA Radio's Milford resigns over gun incident
Thursday, June 19, 2008
By Adrian McCoy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Radio station news reporter Rob Milford has resigned following his arrest on Monday for carrying a loaded hand gun into the Allegheny County Courthouse.

Mr. Milford, 53, was charged with carrying a firearm without a license and possession of a firearm in a court facility. KDKA news reports said that Mr. Milford, a reporter for KDKA-AM radio, and the station came to a mutual agreement regarding his departure.

Earlier this week, the station had suspended Mr. Milford following the incident. He faces a preliminary hearing on July 26.

Well, I'm glad all these crazy gun laws are so effective as I feel much safer now. After all, we wouldn't want some reporter who carries a GUN!!!, on the airwaves, would we?

[pex]

Originally Posted by Mike

Well, since nobody dug up a case holding transport of handguns in the Commonwealth to be unlawful, I spend some hours last night on WestLaw using a variety of search terms and all cases involving 6106 - and while there is no "transport ban", it is unfortunately true that some Pa. appeals courts have appeared to hold a handgun in the trunk is "carried" within the meaning of 6106 - I can post these case cites later, including one appeals courts that said the exact opposite. However, it appears Defendants in these cases either did not, or could not, assert a FOPA defense; and further, did not challenege the construction of the word "carry."

I guess the Pa. S. Ct. should weigh in eventually - what is really interesting is that the basic rule in 6106, no concealed carry, and no vehicle carry absent a lciense, has been around since at least the 1940s.

As for luggage carry, I found no case saying a handgun in a locked container or luggage or briefcase was "concealed on or about" within the meaning of 6106. However, clear Pa. & fed. const. case law said no searching locked gloveboxes or locked containers absent warrant (trunks get an inventory search if the car is sezied, but locked containers inside require warrant) - guns found will be suppressed and 6106 violations dismissed - that is the very quick summary. More later.

Mike, are you yet able to post the cases in PA appellate courts that deal with the subject of 'carry'?

[unix_slayer]

The thing is they caught him at the screening station. Don't they just confiscate the firearm, and give it back when he leaves. That's if he's got a carrying permit. If he was found in the courthouse pass the screening station, that would be a major no no. If he just has an LTCF, then that would be the clincher.

[Mabuz]

I don't think that's how it would work, even if you had a LTCF. Since courthouses are prohibited places, by not declaring that you have a firearm and continuing through a security checkpoint, it would most likely be seen as trying to sneak a gun into a prohibited place and you'd be arrested on the spot.

[knighthawk06699]

Originally Posted by unix_slayer

The thing is they caught him at the screening station. Don't they just confiscate the firearm, and give it back when he leaves. That's if he's got a carrying permit. If he was found in the courthouse pass the screening station, that would be a major no no. If he just has an LTCF, then that would be the clincher.

No cause they feel he tried to sneak it into the courthouse. I have to say if I was them I would feel the same way.

[gnbrotz]

I've seen quite a few of these "I forgot the gun was in there" defenses from everyone up to and including celebrities. Granted I'm a "newbie" to carrying...only been doing it for a little over a year, but for those of you with more experience than me: Have you ever forgotten that you are carrying? Do you think an infrequent carrier is more likely to actually do this than someone who carries all the time (because of lack of consistency)?

[knighthawk06699]

Originally Posted by gnbrotz

I've seen quite a few of these "I forgot the gun was in there" defenses from everyone up to and including celebrities. Granted I'm a "newbie" to carrying...only been doing it for a little over a year, but for those of you with more experience than me: Have you ever forgotten that you are carrying? Do you think an infrequent carrier is more likely to actually do this than someone who carries all the time (because of lack of consistency)?

I would have to say that new carriers would be more mindful, being much less likely to "forget" they are carrying. I know when I first carried 6 years ago I was always mindful of my sidearm just because I was so nervous. Even today I never forget that I am carrying I am just far more relaxed while doing it.

[LittleRedToyota]

Originally Posted by gnbrotz

I've seen quite a few of these "I forgot the gun was in there" defenses from everyone up to and including celebrities. Granted I'm a "newbie" to carrying...only been doing it for a little over a year, but for those of you with more experience than me: Have you ever forgotten that you are carrying? Do you think an infrequent carrier is more likely to actually do this than someone who carries all the time (because of lack of consistency)?

i have never forgotten that i am carrying.

however, i have forgotten that i had ammo in a bag i was planning to take on a plane. fortunately, i remembered before going into the airport and removed the ammo and left it in my car.

i used to have a favorite duffle bag that i used for two different things...one of which was as a range bag and the other of which was to carry my ultimate frisbee gear.

went shooting one thursday night and used the bag. put some extra ammo in one of the side pockets.

on friday was flying to an ultimate tournament in chicago. got outta my office late, so i was packing in a hurry to catch the flight. go home, take out all the gun stuff from the main compartment of the bag...then throw in all my ultimate gear.

throw bag in car and head to airport.

for some lucky reason it occurred to me to do a quick search of the bag before heading into the airport, and i found the extra ammo i had forgotten to remove.

so, yeah, i could see someone honestly forgetting that they had a gun in a bag. for me, it could have just as easily been an extra gun in the side compartment rather than extra ammo.

this is, of course, a bit different from the reporter in question, but could be exactly the same as people who have been nailed at airport security checkpoints.

and it really was just an honest mistake. and it really could have sucked if i had not thought to double-check the bag when i got out of my car at the airport parking lot.

[unix_slayer]

I've been CC'ing for 5 years now. Three of them in N.Y.C., and two in P.A. When you go through any amount of years CC'ing in N.Y.C, and also working everyday with it for more than 20 years, it becomes part of you. I know it's there, but so do I know my arms, and legs are there. I just know what I'm missing that takes it to the proper spot on the pole. Yeah, when I'm in the bathroom alone, I'll draw with them. Keeps me on top of my game. I really don't think he thought it was there. At least he wasn't sure it was there.