Purple Heart Vet charged with stalking Westboro Baptist

[gunsmith]

And also charge with impersonating a police officer, I wish him well.
I would chip in for his defense if I could.
http://www.kansas.com/2010/12/03/1616214/faces-5-charges-in-westboro-incident.html

[230RN]

"I knew he detested those guys that protested against the GIs that got killed, which I don't blame him there. I do, too.... It was their freedom he was protecting, too," said Newell's grandfather, Jim Crosby, though he noted they had never discussed the Phelps family

Gee, thanks, Gramps, way to go toward reinforcing the "intent to use" clause.  Why don't you just keep a lid on it?

I suspect the advice to keep your mouth shut if you are involved in a firearms incident should go for your family and friends, too.  I hope mine have the good sense not to blather to reporters (or anyone) if (G-d forbid!) I get involved in something involving guns.

And was it an M4, or an M4gery?  Just in the interests of accuracy.


Terry, 230RN

[Fly320s]

If it was an M4, I suspect he would be facing more serious charges including several from the military.

[Hawkmoon]

And, once again, we are left to ponder if it's the media or the authorities who can't use the English language.

He also was charged with false impersonation of a law enforcement officer.

What ... exactly ... is "false" impersonation of a police officer? Is it an impersonation that's so poorly carried out that nobody is fooled? If nobody is fooled, how is it impersonation and why is it unlawful?

And if there's a law against "false" impersonation of a police officer ... what constitutes genuine impersonation of a polce officer, and is that against the law?

[seeker_two]

Charges sound pretty fishy to me....wonder if the LEO is a member......

[Fitz]

I've read several of the articles, and there seems to be a sense of misguided outrage at this guy getting charged.

Dude followed people creepily, with a carload of guns... not a good idea in a country that's already paranoid. If indeed he did impersonate an officer at some point, that's stupid too.

Seems to me he's both unstable and in the wrong.

[Perd Hapley]

He also was charged with false impersonation of a law enforcement officer.

False impersonation? 

[Sindawe]

What ... exactly ... is "false" impersonation of a police officer?

Knowns the law he/she is enforcing; protects the Rights and Liberties of those he/she asked to serve; leaves the attitude in the locker; is at least civil even in the face of rage and venom; does not get all bent out of shape about being recored by the public.

So the chap followed the Westburro fools around, has a few firearms with him.  Did he make threats to/against the Westburro clowns, or just hang about making them feel ill at ease?

[MechAg94]

I've read several of the articles, and there seems to be a sense of misguided outrage at this guy getting charged.

Dude followed people creepily, with a carload of guns... not a good idea in a country that's already paranoid. If indeed he did impersonate an officer at some point, that's stupid too.

Seems to me he's both unstable and in the wrong.

It wasn't a car load of guns.  It was three guns. 

In the vehicle, investigators found two handguns, a rifle and more than 90 rounds of ammunition, sources have said.

Prosecutors charged Newell, 26, with five misdemeanors Thursday, including stalking and three counts of criminal use of a firearm in an incident involving the Phelps family of Topeka's Westboro Baptist Church. He also was charged with false impersonation of a law enforcement officer.

Since it is all misdemeanors, I would think that means he didn't do anything more than follow them around.  We'll see.

[freakazoid]

Agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives went to Newell's home, and his wife turned over items — including firearms — to law enforcement, said a source close to the investigation.

Is that normal?

[Perd Hapley]

In the vehicle, investigators found two handguns, a rifle and more than 90 rounds of ammunition, sources have said.

More than 90?!  More than 90!  Why that could be as many as 99! Heavens!

[kgbsquirrel]

Is that normal?

I called up a friend of mine who was a cop in NY state for a time. Apparently for issues relating to stalking (along with domestic violence etc.) it is 'normal' and they should be returned when cleared of wrong doing.

It wasn't a car load of guns.  It was three guns. 

I was thinking the exact same thing, one CCW, one hold out/backup, and a car gun. As for the "90" rounds, my first thought was "huh, traveling light."    Hell my CCW is 56 rounds (3x18rd mags), counting my backup as well that's already 64 rounds. If I tossed an AR rifle with a single mag into the trunk that would put it squarely in the 90 round ballpark, but I would expect there to be a couple spare mags with said rifle, hence "traveling light."

[Strings]

Ignoring the grammar issues...

How does someone in a wheelchair impersonate a police officer?

[seeker_two]

Ignoring the grammar issues...

How does someone in a wheelchair impersonate a police officer?

Maybe he disguised himself as a squad car?....