Pa. Patriot ARRESTED at the OC dinner @ The Old Country Buffet in Dickson City 5/9

[larrymeyer]

PA PAT

And anyone else who was at the OCB on Friday should we get in touch with the Federal AG as it was official oppression. And Diclson City will do nothing about it

[lildobe]

I'd like to say thanks to everyone who was there last night, and I'd also like to express my thanks to everyone who complemented me on the way I handled myself on the radio (I was Andrew Koch who was sitting in the OCB parking lot)

While Rich still has an uphill battle ahead, it's wonderful to know that he has the support of this wonderful organization!

If you were in attendance of the Counsel meeting last night, please PM me so I can get a list together... Thanks!

Also, if you have any news media links, pictures of the event, video, audio WHATEVER, PM me so that I can tell you how to send it to me, as I'm trying to get an online archive together!

[larrymeyer]

http://www.wnep.com/global/story.asp?s=8320639

Group of Gun Owners Protest Treatment
Posted: May 14, 2008 06:16 AM EDT
Last Updated: May 14, 2008 06:17 AM EDT

A group of gun owners attended the Dickson City council meeting Tuesday.

By Bianca Barr

A group of gun owners aimed for justice in Lackawanna County. They want two Dickson City police officers disciplined for the way they handled a situation involving guns.

A group stood outside the Dickson City municipal building, guns visibly on their hips, talking to people before the council meeting began.

Inside, there was more discussion about the second amendment and whether two part-time Dickson City police officers should be reprimanded for their actions last week at Old Country Buffet, a restaurant in the borough.

Police responded to a 911 call that there were people in the restaurant with guns. Officers arrived to find a group of people having dinner.

Officers detained one man for a short time and confiscated his gun because they said he wasn't cooperating.

Alex Arnau of Scranton was part of the group and believes the police were in the wrong.

"The community doesn't have a right to exclude people if they are contributing to the community like we are spending our money in their community."

But Joanne Clancy of Dickson City said she doesn't want to see a person carrying a sidearm in a public place like that.

"A part of feeling safe is a community standard where firearms being worn like the wild west isn't accepted."

Dickson City police chief William Stadnitski said no charges will be filed and the man whose gun was taken can get it back anytime. But he also insists his officers did the right thing.

"We did what we had to do for the community. We verified their ownership, verification and everything was fine. And most of the individuals were very cooperative."

Since the incident, the Old Country Buffet now has a sign posted on the front door, forbidding anyone carrying a weapon to enter.

"If it happens again, if we're uncertain of something, we will check it out. We feel we are obligated to do that for our community," added Chief Stadnitski.

Bold was mine but come on fess up who were the individuals who were very cooperative ?????? I miss seeing you being cooperative so fess up I wasn't so I'm not one of those individuals.

Maybe it was the managers that were carrying that were cooperative

[jdlv4_0]

And once again the foolish words are uttered...

"A part of feeling safe is a community standard where firearms being worn like the wild west isn't accepted."

When are people going to learn that safety is not a "feeling"

[BullfrogKen]

Good show gentlemen.

Guys, don't be so quick to assume from that news story that the manager called 911. The news story I heard that released the "911 call with the manager" was very short. It is very possible, and from what we know about the press very likely, that it was quoted out of context.

Its seems entirely plausible, and extremely likely, that since the initial call apparently came from a patron that the 911 call center contacted a manager to find out more information. And THAT call is what was released. And rather than it being a complaint, perhaps it was an explanation for what was going on. The call was obviously picked up mid-sentence:

"he says I have a couple customers that have uh some weapons on them and some other customers are complaining and" end of recording.

Before you throw the manager under the bus, be sensitive that its not the first time someone from the media has taken something out of context and contorted it to fit a story.

Yes, I saw this quote, and it bothered me.

But Joanne Clancy of Dickson City said she doesn't want to see a person carrying a sidearm in a public place like that.

"A part of feeling safe is a community standard where firearms being worn like the wild west isn't accepted."

It might not be something you accept Joan, but that's because its ignorant and bigotted thought on your part, and not because its unlawful. Let's put it into context for you, shall we?

"A part of feeling safe is a community standard where gays and lesbians aren't accepted."

"A part of feeling safe is a community standard where black people aren't accepted."

"A part of feeling safe is a community standard where Italians and Jews aren't accepted."

"A part of feeling safe is a community standard where Mormons aren't accepted."

"A part of feeling safe is a community standard where inter-racial marriage isn't accepted."

That community standard isn't an appropriate standard for freedom-loving Americans, practicing wholesome acts that are protected by our highest of laws. That is a repugnant statement, honey. Its just as repugnant as the others labels I inserted in its place.


Community standards can become the tyranny of the majority. Be careful where that path leads. You might find you don't like the final destination.

[lildobe]

Originally Posted by WNEP

"We did what we had to do for the community. We verified their ownership, verification and everything was fine. And most of the individuals were very cooperative."

How did they do this? PA has no gun registry!

[BullfrogKen]

Come now, you didn't expect the Police Chief, mayor, and other community leaders to actually admit fault last night, did you?


Sure, its the honorable thing to do. We all know that. But in their situation, its not the most expedient thing to do. I think these guys know they're really in the wrong pretty deep. They aren't going to go on record with anything less than they operated properly and appropriately.


They aren't going to admit fault. They're going to maintain their actions were appropriate, lawful and supported by police practices until they are found by an outside entity as have acted inappropriately, unlawfully, and that they did in fact violate police practices.

That comment from Lackawanna County District Attorney Andy Jarbola was pretty damning. In case anyone missed it, it deserves to be highlighted:

people have a right to openly carry a weapon without having to show identification or a permit.

“Police can ask, but if they don’t want to give it, they don’t have to,” he said. “It’s going to be surprising to the public, but that’s the current state of law.”

[Tootie]

Wow, I finally made it to the end

I want all that attended the meeting to know that you stand in high regard in my eyes. What you did was to stand up for our rights as citizens and the 2nd amendment and I applaud you. I hope one day I can attend one of the get togethers and meet you all in person.

To the DC police chief

[Bmaninmifco]

They were saying on WILK that Rich was going to be on today. Anyone know if this is correct.

[GlockJock]

The meeting was well behaved and the speakers were right on the money. The DA back peddled like there was no tomorrow in the Times today and the local political site in Scranton has had over 31000 hits on its thread regarding this issue. Thats huge interest here in the area.

My wife and I attended the dinner before the meeting and enjoyed meeting everyone from across our state. We were unable to attend the after dinner or snacks because we had to get our son from grandma, it was a school night. The local support is here and I for one applaud all that came here to stand up and be counted among those that believe in and are willing to fight for our rights in this country.