Angel Shamaya, "Keep And Bear Arms" founder, arrested in Michigan on gun charges

The War On Guns ^ | March 3, 2006 | David Codrea

[freepatriot32]

the only piece of paper he needs to legally possess a gun is the us constitution this is a b.s charge Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here

[rzeznikj at stout]

Heard of him, but I don't know him personally.

otoh, if this turns out to be a deliberate targeting of an RKBA advocate rather than anything approaching a righteous collar, any who hold the 2nd dear should be aware of it.

From what I've read on the Net--and the fact that I'm not a lawyer (at least, not yet...), it's a misdemeanor charge he's facing. Not sure on whether he broke the law--I can't find a statutory reference, but just on what I've read, I'm inclined to think this is little more a dog-and-pony show for anti-gun activists, or simply the old "Make an Example out of You" approach.

You're absolutely right--we need to be aware. More than ever.

[Dead Corpse]

Should need. Agreed. However, the current legal morass means that he is going to have a touch row to hoe to get clear of this mess. The Government has a vested interest in keeping our Civil RIghts under wraps.

Can't have the peasentry getting uppetty over things like Gun Rights. Next thing you know, we may take it into our head to resist them on things like taxes and land seizures.

[Dan from Michigan]

This what I know so far. Shamaya is in the Oakland County Jail and was incarerated yesterday. I do not know what he is charged with, or where he was arrested. What confuses me here is that unregistered firearms is usually considered a misdemenor here. I figured he'd just post a bond and be released. I looked up the local news links and found nothing.

[Supernatural]

Perhaps contibutions to his attorney to help fight his case would be the most effective thing we could do.

Ten, twenty or even fifty bucks each might be a big help.

What address should we use to send the money? Who to make out the check to?

[the irate magistrate]

Doug,

You know some people around there.

Got any ideas?

[BlackbirdSST]

I wish we had a 2nd Amendment in Ireland!

Hell, I wish we had one in the good ole USA! Blackbird.

[Lurker]

Ping me again if you get any more info. I'll be happy to help.

L

[Badray]

That old thing? Nobody in Michigan law enforcement is impressed, or apparently bound by that.

Sad, but true.

Thanks for that info. I would love to see him sue their asses off.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this Upper Midwest outdoors list, please FRmail me.

A little off topic. I know nothing about the case, nor do I know Angel, but Keep and Bear Arms is a great website that I don't visit often enough.

[Shooter 2.5]

I support the ideal more than any organization and when they're wrong I do try to call them on that. However, bringing up forty year old charges doesn't help any organization. The people who made those mistakes are long gone.
If Angel believes the NRA is so incompetent, he wouldn't want their help and I don't want my funds going toward his defense. Besides, it will be nice to see that other gun organization show they can actually accomplish something.
I do hope he gets off. It will be a message to the government they can't contine to violate the Constitution.
The NRA has recently added a column in the America's Freedom Magazine listing people who have been helped through their legal defense fund. It's an interesting read. I think it only covers members of the organization.

[Dan from Michigan]

This from Al on The High Road. "I'm going to tell you what I know of the situation. Hopefully I can do it in such a way as to not betray any confidences. He was arrested in his home. Therefore, he is not charged with carrying without a permit. He's accused of having firearms NOT properly registered with the state of Michigan. I assume this means handguns. Frankly I highly doubt this charge. Also, he was reported to the police as "a danger and a vast security threat." I also highly doubt this as well. Without saying more, I'll just point out that it's possible for any of us to be in the same situation. Regardless how law-abiding we are. I'm only typing this to stop all the speculation. I'm sure more details will be at the waronguns blog as it becomes available." -------------------------------- I don't want to speculate further until I find out more of the facts.

[Dan from Michigan]

From Michigan Gun Owners:

Angel is out of jail. He was charged with four counts of misdemeanor possession of unregistered firearms and one count of misdemeanor menacing. He was reportedly arrested in his home.

[FreedomPoster]

This latest info from Dan might be worth a general RKBA ping.

[Shooter 2.5]

Ridiculous. The NRA has over forty programs. They sponsor hundreds of shooting matches across the country. Without gun contol, They could expand those matches to every town in the U.S.
It's Second Amendment groups like SAF, JAFPO and the Citizen's Committee which would cease to exist.

[yarddog]

I agree the NRA has done a lot to clean up it's act, starting with the Cincinnati reforms. They still are doing such things as supporting operation safe neighborhoods which is probably how the Richmond gun show abuses came about.

I still am not comfortable with their overall desire to compromise. In fact I let my membership expire a few months ago.

[NonValueAdded]

BREAKING NEWS: ANGEL OUT

[David Codrea] just got off the phone with Angel Shamaya.

He's out.

He's charged with 4 counts misdemeanor possession of unregistered firearms and 1 frivolous, unwarranted, vindictive count of misdemeanor menacing.

I know we all want more, especially with the last charge, but for now, we must defer to Angel's need to protect his legal rights. I know the background of the circumstances, but my advice to Angel is to not make a public statement about that without advice of counsel. Those who know me will trust me when I say that I am convinced Angel has been made a victim here.

Here is a statement from Angel that I can release at this time:

To all the people expressing support or concern, just knowing that you are aware of my situation made it easier to bear. I do have legal representation thanks to the Second Amendment Foundation, to whom I am grateful. Alan Gottlieb and his team moved swiftly and deftly to secure counsel for me, the result of which got me out much sooner than I would have been able to do on my own.

David Codrea | 4:20 PM

[Travis McGee]

Well, look who has come to his defense: the SAF.

Thank you, Alan Gottlieb.

[HangFire]

Thanks for the update DfM.

[the irate magistrate]

Thank you Travis McGee