Pistol packing senior chases off mugger, gets charged for unlicensed gun

7Online ^ | November 5, '03 | Marcus Solis

[joesnuffy]

Pistol-packing Senior Chases Off Mugger, Gets Charged for Unlicensed Gun

By Marcus Solis (Bronx-WABC, November 5, 2003) — A mugger in the Bronx got quite a surprise when the 80-year-old man he attacked in an elevator pulled out a .38 caliber handgun. There was a struggle, a shot was fired, and now the elderly victim is being criminally charged.

Marcus Solis is in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx where he talked with the man.

Lester Campbell says the gun belonged to his mother, and that it was passed onto him when she died. And he said he would carry it with him when he went to cash checks.

Campbell had just cashed his Social Security check and gone to the supermarket near his house, when the mugger followed him into the elevator of his building. What the mugger didn't realize was that the octogenarian was packing heat.

And after Campbell pulled out his gun, a fierce struggle ensued.

Lester Campbell, Mugging Victim: "He tried to keep the barrel away from him, twisting and turning. And when I was going to pull it, see, I lose some grip. And that's when he started twisting and twisting."

The mugger had knocked Campbell to the ground and ripped his pants while grabbing for his wallet. The retired security guard fired one shot that hit the side of the elevator, and richotted up into the ceiling.

The elevator stopped on the third floor where the suspect ran out, and Campbell cried out for help. The thief made off with $262 in Social Security money. And now Campbell's eye is bloodshot, and his cheek is purple from injuries he received in the assault.

Police however arrested Campbell and charged him with misdemeanor criminal possesion of a weapon. While he admits he knew the gun was unlicensed, Campbell insists he did nothing wrong.

Lester Campbell: "He had no business doing that. I was minding my business. I don't bother nobody."

Ernest McKenzie, Building Resident: "The way I feel, if he didn't have the gun probably something would happen to him, serious. And at the same time, he has to be licensed."

Police confiscated the gun, along with another one in the apartment. So Campbell was cited for two counts of misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon, and was given a desk appearance ticket. He'll have a court appearance next month.

[steve50]

A how dare a man have the means to defend himself Bump

[Fighting Irish]

Moral of the story?

Dead muggers make lousy witnesses.....

[waterstraat]

jury nullification can set him free. All we need is one jury member to say not guilty.

[S.O.S121.500]

Those crazy New Yorkers, just begging for their rights......
NO QUARTER ASKED
NONE
GIVEN

[longtermmemmory]

proof that guns work.

more guns less crime.

[longtermmemmory]

which is why prosecutors will try and bump any gun owner or NRA member in these cases. (the old man will have a NYC PD defending him, if its a democrat he is lost)

[longtermmemmory]

Does the NRA or any other 2nd amendment group have the ability to give this old guy legal help?

[CindyDawg]

This is so wrong. He gets beat up, robbed, looses his inheritence, and arrested. Not much mentioned about the criminal.

[stevio]

Stupid New York.

[longtermmemmory]

NYC should show compassion, get his "license" before his next court date and return his guns with a minor slap to keep the Pc fools quiet. This old guy should be left alone.

Who is protecting him now?

[Publius6961]

Anybody care to know what I think of this "police" department?

Reminds me totally of the firemen in Fahrenheit 451....

[CindyDawg]

Yep. I would like to see all the seniors in that building that qualify licensed. 200-300 doesn't sound like much but that's all a lot of them live off of.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

NRA will step forward if the guy asks for help.

[steplock]

Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States.

Noah Webster

[af_vet_rr]

I'd like to think the NRA would step forward, but this is NYC, they are pretty set in their ways when it comes to firearms.

[Shooter 2.5]

Did you notice that every time a gunowner needs help, they always ask for the NRA?

[RogueIsland]

While he admits he knew the gun was unlicensed, Campbell insists he did nothing wrong.

And here we have a classic example of a severe disconnect between what is legal and what is moral and just.

[OldPossum]

New York's Finest. They can't solve the real crime, so they go for what they can get.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

'swhy more gun owners should join up.