Author Topic: Replica rifle has Brooklyn man at odds with cops (Read 9205 times)

Thor · « **on:** July 29, 2009, 03:55:25 PM »

Up in arms over gun: Replica rifle has Brooklyn man at odds with cops

BY Joseph Goldstein
DAILY NEWS WRITER

Wednesday, July 29th 2009, 4:00 AM
Zalcman for News

Michael Littlejohn holds the custom-made rifle in question.

Do you believe Michael Littlejohn should be allowed to keep his handmade replica of a flintlock rifle?

Yes. It's clear the gun will never pose a threat to anyone's safety.

No. Since he does not have a license, the police have a right to take it away.

Like America's first soldiers at the Battle of Brooklyn, Michael Littlejohn is fighting for his right to bear arms.

The Revolutionary War buff charges the Bloomberg administration with tyranny for trying to seize his handmade flintlock rifle - a dead ringer for the weapon once used against the redcoats.

"This is the last legal gun that you can have without registration in New York," Littlejohn said. "And yet Mayor Bloomberg is driven crazy by my flintlock gun - the one that won the American Revolution."

Littlejohn fired the first shot when he hired a Tennessee blacksmith to recreate the vintage rifle. It arrived at his Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, apartment in June - followed quickly by city cops.

Police claim it's illegal for Littlejohn to keep the flintlock without a gun license.

Littlejohn, 50, cites the earliest American patriots as his inspiration while refusing to surrender his firearm or apply for a license.

The social worker is also clinging to a little-known exemption in the city's strict gun laws.

The loophole allows license-free ownership of "antique firearms" - defined as rifles that require the bullet and gunpowder to be loaded separately.

Littlejohn's rifle appears to fit the bill.

Loading the weapon, he explains, is a multistep process that takes several pokes with a ramrod and up to a minute to complete.

To fire, the rifle relies on a sharpened piece of flint that produces a spark when the trigger is pulled. That point is moot, Littlejohn says: He doesn't own gunpowder or bullets.

That's not enough to make the NYPD retreat.

The cops visited Littlejohn's apartment and sat down this month with the Tennessee blacksmith who forged the rifle.

The lead detective on the case told Littlejohn's lawyer that he had orders "from higher-ups" to pursue the case, according to an e-mail the lawyer sent to Littlejohn.

Littlejohn's interest in the Revolutionary War dates to his childhood. He grew up playing tag outside the upstate Newburgh house used in 1782-83 as Gen. George Washington's headquarters.

As an adult, he joined in Colonial American reenactments in Virginia and Georgia.

The NYPD learned about Littlejohn's $825 rifle when he left a receipt inside a Staples copy center, prompting a call to the cops.

Cops aren't threatening to arrest Littlejohn - yet. Lawyer Joyce David, who represented Littlejohn until it became too expensive, says her ex-client could wind up with a summons.

A police source says the war could end peacefully if Littlejohn applied for a permit with the NYPD handgun license division.

Littlejohn would rather fight. The Brooklynite says he's willing to sue for his rifle rights.

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AZRedhawk44 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2009, 04:05:31 PM »

God bless, and best of luck to him.

Redcoats and Bluebloods deserve the same treatment, IMO.

BlueStarLizzard · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2009, 04:06:52 PM »

ok, i hate to say this, becuase i have a feeling its not polite, but i can't help it. the 'higher ups' are just being stupid now.

seriously, their own LAW says the flintlock is legel. appears to fit the bill?

i serioesly don't know how mush more of this i can take and still have hope that the idea of human intellegence isn't a completely lost cause...

Jamisjockey · « **Reply #3 on:** July 29, 2009, 04:11:11 PM »

Quote

The social worker is also clinging to a little-known exemption in the city's strict gun laws.

I needed that today. Normally, social work is a bastion of liberal thought....

Seenterman · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2009, 04:48:33 PM »

Pure stupidity. He's in compliance with the laws yet the cops still want to harass him. I hope he fights, wins, and sues the pants off the city. If they can try and pull this crap when your following the law imagine whats next.

freedom lover · « **Reply #5 on:** July 29, 2009, 04:50:43 PM »

Quote

He grew up playing tag outside the upstate Newburgh house used in 1782-83 as Gen. George Washington's headquarters.

1) Newburgh is not really upstate. It's in southern New York.

2) Washington had headquarters in Newburgh? Cool. I could imagine pretending to get alerted by the signal fires on Beacon mountain. When I played war games I'm pretty sure the enemies were generic bad dudes, I think my imagination really grew as I got older though. My area didn't play a role in the Revolution that I know of.

It's interesting to note that although NYC has the largest police force in the nation the city is still plagued with violent crime. I think some of this is because most of them seem to be in midtown Manhattan, of course, even then they would still have to run a few blocks to get to the crime. A man can be killed in less than a second, going armed could easily save one's life. NYC could massively cut down on the crime against innocents if they got rid of their licensing system. The whole state would be more safe if it dropped its silly handgun permit system and the AWB.

SADShooter · « **Reply #6 on:** July 29, 2009, 05:00:55 PM »

Silly freedom lover, get with the program.

To NYC'ers, it's more important to feel good (stupid gun laws) than be safe (guns). Didn't you hear Bloomberg saying if the Fed reciprocity bill passed, crims would just get permits?

Standing Wolf · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2009, 05:13:44 PM »

Quote

Yes. It's clear the gun will never pose a threat to anyone's safety.
No. Since he does not have a license, the police have a right to take it away.

The only mention of rights pertains to the cops? I think the illiterati have won.

freedom lover · « **Reply #8 on:** July 29, 2009, 05:14:26 PM »

Quote from: SADShooter on July 29, 2009, 05:00:55 PM

Silly freedom lover, get with the program.

To NYC'ers, it's more important to feel good (stupid gun laws) than be safe (guns).

You think the poor people in Harlem and the Burroughs feel safe? I have a hard time believing that the majority of people who have to live with crime every day would support such laws. Of course, I don't really know any such people. Do you know many of them? If not, don't make assumptions.

Quote

Didn't you hear Bloomberg saying if the Fed reciprocity bill passed, crims would just get permits?

Nope. Got a link?

SADShooter · « **Reply #9 on:** July 29, 2009, 05:36:22 PM »

Here's the money transcript after a brief scan.

"NEW YORK CITY MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG: Criminals will be able to obtain concealed carry permits and walk the streets carrying handguns. They will be able to walk into bars and restaurants with guns. They will be able to go to the movies with guns. And there will be nothing that our police officers can do about it."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,535092,00.html

Note I said feel good, in my (very tongue in cheek, sorry I didn't use enough smilies) statement, directed at the people who influence/pass the stupid laws.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #10 on:** July 29, 2009, 06:05:31 PM »

Quote

The NYPD learned about Littlejohn's $825 rifle when he left a receipt inside a Staples copy center, prompting a call to the cops.

words fail

BlueStarLizzard · « **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2009, 06:06:10 PM »

Quote from: SADShooter on July 29, 2009, 05:36:22 PM

"NEW YORK CITY MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG: Criminals will be able to obtain concealed carry permits and walk the streets carrying handguns. They will be able to walk into bars and restaurants with guns. They will be able to go to the movies with guns. And there will be nothing that our police officers can do about it."

see earlier comment about stupid.

seeker_two · « **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2009, 06:27:34 PM »

....just another example of how socialist-type gov't will break their own laws to enforce their own will....

Bigjake · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2009, 07:08:56 PM »

Quote

A police source says the war could end peacefully if Littlejohn applied for a permit with the NYPD handgun license division.

Doesn't look like any handgun I ever did see...

Azrael256 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2009, 07:18:40 PM »

Quote

and still have hope that the idea of human intellegence isn't a completely lost cause...

Seriously? If it weren't already, we wouldn't need the 2A.

freakazoid · « **Reply #15 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:44:53 PM »

Didn't the redcoats try to take some peoples guns once? That turned out real well for them.

Quote

"NEW YORK CITY MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG: Criminals will be able to obtain concealed carry permits and walk the streets carrying handguns. They will be able to walk into bars and restaurants with guns. They will be able to go to the movies with guns. And there will be nothing that our police officers can do about it."

Oh my goodness. That is just plain nuts. Do these people seriously actually believe what they are saying? How can someone be that stupid? My brain actually hurts trying to comprehend what he had said.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #16 on:** July 30, 2009, 12:22:33 AM »

Quote from: Bigjake on July 29, 2009, 07:08:56 PM

Doesn't look like any handgun I ever did see...

I think they're using the term in more of a fifteenth-century sense.

S. Williamson · « **Reply #17 on:** July 30, 2009, 12:56:44 AM »

So waitaminute.

NYC doesn't do background checks?

seeker_two · « **Reply #18 on:** July 30, 2009, 07:00:35 AM »

Quote from: Mayor Bloom-ingidiot-berg

Criminals will be able to obtain concealed carry permits and walk the streets carrying handguns. They will be able to walk into bars and restaurants with guns. They will be able to go to the movies with guns. And there will be nothing that our police officers can do about it."

Gee.....doesn't seem that "his" police are doing much about the crime rate already....maybe if they focused more on NYC crime instead of trying to arrest PA FFL's.....

griz · « **Reply #19 on:** July 30, 2009, 07:30:32 AM »

How did we get here? There's a guy who is obeying the spirit and letter of the law, and we are wishing him luck as the city tries to roll over him anyway. It's incredible.

HankB · « **Reply #20 on:** July 30, 2009, 09:49:32 AM »

Quote from: Thor on July 29, 2009, 03:55:25 PM

The NYPD learned about Littlejohn's $825 rifle when he left a receipt inside a Staples copy center, prompting a call to the cops.

Since a receipt inside the copy center prompted a police response . . . am I the only one here wondering what the reaction would be if a great many receipts - with the names of prominent New Yorkers - began turning up at copy centers, libraries, etc?

Firethorn · « **Reply #21 on:** July 30, 2009, 11:43:39 AM »

Quote from: griz on July 30, 2009, 07:30:32 AM

How did we get here? There's a guy who is obeying the spirit and letter of the law, and we are wishing him luck as the city tries to roll over him anyway. It's incredible.

Well, what else are we going to do? I didn't see any hint of a donate to his defense fund. I applaud the guy standing up for his rights, but he's a bit far away for me to help personally.

doczinn · « **Reply #22 on:** July 30, 2009, 02:39:16 PM »

Quote

Since a receipt inside the copy center prompted a police response . . . am I the only one here wondering what the reaction would be if a great many receipts - with the names of prominent New Yorkers - began turning up at copy centers, libraries, etc?

http://www.salesreceiptstore.com/

Enjoy!

freakazoid · « **Reply #23 on:** July 30, 2009, 02:42:56 PM »

Quote from: HankB on July 30, 2009, 09:49:32 AM

Since a receipt inside the copy center prompted a police response . . . am I the only one here wondering what the reaction would be if a great many receipts - with the names of prominent New Yorkers - began turning up at copy centers, libraries, etc?

You my friend are perhaps onto something. Seeing the way they reacted perhaps that would make a great way to protest.

Desertdog · « **Reply #24 on:** August 06, 2009, 11:59:02 AM »

I wonder if he has contacted the NRA, JFO, SAF or other gun rights organizations for help in defending his rights.

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Author Topic: Replica rifle has Brooklyn man at odds with cops (Read 9205 times)