Posted on 02/09/2014 2:44:50 PM PST by matt04
Dwayne Ferguson spent more than a decade advocating for nonviolence and peace in the streets of Buffalo.
He was a well-known face in the movement for the SAFE Act, the state law that made carrying a gun on school property a felony. He was also a familiar presence in the hallways of the city’s Harvey Austin Elementary School, where he worked in the after-school program and mentored students.
No one imagined that on Thursday he would show up at the school in possession of a gun, touching off an hours-long lockdown, search and ultimately his arrest on two felony charges.
Ferguson, 52, told WGRZ-TV that he frequently carries the gun, for which he has a permit, and did not realize he had it on him when he went to the school as part of the mentoring program.
Those who have worked with him also said they believe it was an honest mistake.
“I’m sure Dwayne went into the school not thinking he had the gun on him,” said Rev. James E. Giles, a friend of Ferguson and president of Back to Basics Outreach Ministries. “We know this for a fact, that he called out to a Buffalo police lieutenant asking why the school was in lockdown, and that they were looking for a man with a gun.
“Dwayne’s reaction was to get his kids – he had about 50 of them – and make sure they were safe,” Giles explained. “He led them into the cafeteria and closed the doors.”
Giles, like Ferguson, is a member of Buffalo Peacemakers, an anti-violence coalition that targets gang-related street crime.
(Excerpt) Read more at buffalonews.com ...
BTTT!
Every so often I get a call to pick up the kids from school. If I’m already out somewhere I’ll put my weapon in the trunk before I pick them up in the school driveway. (Still not legal, but I’m trying!)
If I’m already on the road I’ll unholster it and shove it under the back seat. But dang well know that it is there!
Prosecute him to the fullest extent of his own law.
Strip him of his carry “permit”. It’s a FELONY, and he should go to jail - like he wants for everyone else.
If this is what he wants for everyone else, then it should be good enough for him as well.
Karma’s a bitch, ain’t it....
He who lives by the [un]SAFE Act, should be willing to die by the [un]SAFE Act.
That doesn't make any sense. If HE did not know he was wearing a gun, how could anyone else know?
...and he’s probably right.
What State?
Concealed Carry permit holders in Virginia can legally carry their weapons on to school property in a vehicle as long as they either stay in the vehicle or secure their weapon(s) in the vehicle before getting out.
Of course, I still haven’t figured out exactly how the law works when one rides motorcycle. It’s not possible to secure a weapon IN a motorcycle, but Virginia also has a non-discrimination law regarding access by motorcycles to roads and properties which are supported by tax-payer funds.
It reminds me of an old Steve Martin joke regarding excuses for breaking the law:
“You simply say, I forgot -— I forgot armed robbery was a crime, officer.”
When those around you have a better idea of where your gun is than you do, it might be good for you to stop carrying it.
Are you telling me at no point during this exercise did the guy think "Oh Crap, I have a gun." Nobody is that unaware. I think this guy let this go on hoping they wouldn't check him.
My thought exactly. He didn’t want the felony that he pushed for.
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