Posted by
Average Voter on Sunday, January 25, 2009 3:03:57 PM
Here is the reason why having a gun on you in DC has
always been a bad idea, even when you are just passing through.Cpl. Melroy H. Cort, 24, and his wife, Samantha were traveling through DC heading to Walter Reed Medical Center.
The couple's car got a flat tire, forcing them to pull over at a car repair shop in the 5000 block of Georgia Avenue NW. While there, Cort said, he reached into the glove compartment, removed a 9mm pistol and put it in his jacket pocket.
A witness who noticed Cort handling the gun called police, who arrested and handcuffed Cort while he was sitting in his wheelchair. He was charged with three counts of carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of ammunition. He spent the night in the D.C. jail before returning to Walter Reed.
Just the kind of thing that they warn you of while traveling through places not friendly of the right to bear arms. The story regarding his case is really quite interesting.
The real story -- and what the article completely missed -- is that Cpl. Melroy H. Cort apparently admitted in court that he was guilty of carrying an unlicensed gun in the District but the jury nevertheless acquitted him. The jurors engaged in what is commonly known as "jury nullification" -- acquitting a defendant despite a clear violation of the law.
But what both pieces missed is the fact that DC guns laws are overbearing and unnecessary. But expecting liberal DC to understand that is wxpecting too much.