Must Produce ID if carrying in public ?? (Attorney Mirowitz)

[ImminentDanger]

In doing some updates to my Gun Rights Lawyer List, the name of Jon (or John) Mirowitz came to my attention....

During my due diligence to find whatever information might be relevant, I came across a posting of this article at another gun rights discussion group...
http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum46/11019.html

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site...d=592269&rfi=6

Gun-toting battle stays heated
05/18/2008

Gary Roberts sped into the parking lot of Old Country Buffet in Dickson City and rolled his white Toyota Scion up to the curb.

His driver’s side window down, he leaned out, revealing a buzz cut, key-lime-pie colored shirt and matching tie.

“Are you with the pros or the antis?” he asked a group of similar-looking folks outside the restaurant.

A member of the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association — a Web-based Second Amendment advocacy group — Mr. Roberts, of Moscow, told the other members outside Old Country Buffet there was a slight change in plans.

The rendezvous point was changed to nearby Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse, after Old Country Buffet management posted a sign announcing firearms are prohibited on the property.

Mr. Roberts and other members were not about to surrender their guns, no matter how hungry they were.

This dinner meeting came after a May 9 clash between Dickson City police and a dozen or so association members who opted to dine out with their guns out.

Although this may or may not be protected by the U.S. Constitution, two part-time police officers received complaints about armed people at the restaurant and had a responsibility to check it out.

“Of the 37 years I’ve been in law enforcement, I’ve never seen — aside from law enforcement — anyone in our restaurants or in our malls carrying out in the open,” said Dickson City Police Chief William Stadnitski. “I don’t know why they picked Dickson City. We don’t know what these people’s intentions are.”

What both sides seem to agree upon is that the officers escorted the armed patrons outside and asked for identification. Association member Richard Banks was briefly detained while police confiscated a concealed weapon, and police had apparently asked one of the members who started videotaping the incident to cease and desist.

The exact details of the confrontation, however, are unclear, since association members declined to comment on the advice of an attorney, and the police report was not available in time for this article.

As word of the confrontation spread, gun-rights activists organized and went to work telephoning and alerting the local media, typing away on message boards and sounding the drumbeat that led to Tuesday’s dinner meeting and a trip to a Dickson City Borough Council meeting afterward.

So after Mr. Roberts and others reconnoitered on friendly turf — Charlie Brown’s corporate spokeswoman confirmed that the company does not ban firearms on its property — he stepped out of his vehicle with a gun on his hip. He was joined by fellow gun lovers wearing similar accessories.

A Dickson City police cruiser was parked in the rear parking lot, but the patrolman stayed inside.

Although citizens can “open carry” without any registration or permits, Philadelphia attorney Jon Mirowitz said that if a person packing in public is asked by police for identification, he or she must produce it.

Mr. Mirowitz is a lecturer on gun laws for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, a legal education arm of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a driver’s license, but it has to say who they are and where they are from,” he said. “We are not allowed to be anonymous anymore.”

In the end, the important thing was that no one got hurt, except maybe the feelings of a few gun-toting restaurant patrons.

(Bold and Underline are mine - no reporter info available - link is not valid)

(ETA ..... I also see it was referenced by PA Patriot at the time)

Someone in Jon Mirowitz's position should know better. He should be disbarred for espousing flatly, and provably, incorrect info from a position of authority.

I know this is a news story - and subject to major mistakes (like the very last line).....
But, I also found some postings on PAFOA by others who recommended him for the help he provided in firearms related cases.....

Therefore....
I'm trying to find out if anyone has first-hand knowledge that this is what he actually said (and/or actually believes) and if there are other misunderstandings he has regarding carrying in PA?

He's not getting on my list if this is confirmed...

... Stay Safe ...
ID

[ehidle]

Bullshit..

[gnbrotz]

I have one question for Mr. Mirowitz:

Citation of law?

[ehidle]

I have one question for Mr. Mirowitz:

Citation of law?

Oooh! Oooh! Can I try? Pick me! Pick me!



There isn't one?

[wa3ra]

I've never seen a sign prohibiting firearms at OCB, either...I OC there ALL of the time, and chat with the management on a regular basis...

As a matter of fact , last Saturday afternoon, I OC'd my XD45 in it's Blackhawk Serpa; an EMPLOYEE told the elderly women who mentioned it to him on her way out,"Yes, that is permitted in here, as a matter of fact, you don't even need a license to carry a gun like that in Pennsylvania".

Good job, kid! I made sure we left a tip for him...

[jahwarrior72]

I've never seen a sign prohibiting firearms at OCB, either...I OC there ALL of the time, and chat with the management on a regular basis...

As a matter of fact , last Saturday afternoon, I OC'd my XD45 in it's Blackhawk Serpa; an EMPLOYEE told the elderly women who mentioned it to him on her way out,"Yes, that is permitted in here, as a matter of fact, you don't even need a license to carry a gun like that in Pennsylvania".

Good job, kid! I made sure we left a tip for him...

this really pisses me off. i'm not kidding. everyone and their mother from here has openly carried there without an issue (except in the obvious instance), but every single time i've gone with my kids to eat, i get hassled, by the fucking staff, no less. i've never been anything but polite when i've gone there, mostly because my kids are with me.

i'm feeling peckish. i think i'm going out to dinner tonight.

[Curmudgeon]

this really pisses me off. i'm not kidding. everyone and their mother from here has openly carried there without an issue (except in the obvious instance), but every single time i've gone with my kids to eat, i get hassled, by the fucking staff, no less. i've never been anything but polite when i've gone there, mostly because my kids are with me.

i'm feeling peckish. i think i'm going out to dinner tonight.

Maybe you should start leaving the rat at home.





...just sayin'

[son of the revolution]

this really pisses me off. i'm not kidding. everyone and their mother from here has openly carried there without an issue (except in the obvious instance), but every single time i've gone with my kids to eat, i get hassled, by the fucking staff, no less. i've never been anything but polite when i've gone there, mostly because my kids are with me.

i'm feeling peckish. i think i'm going out to dinner tonight.

Just remember jah, its NOT paranoia if they really are all out to get you !

[LittleRedToyota]

it is possible the paper misquoted mirowitz...

it wouldn't be the first time a paper misquoted someone.

i'm not saying that is what happened, but it could be.

[Robert Kayland]

The rendezvous point was changed to nearby Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse, after Old Country Buffet management posted a sign announcing firearms are prohibited on the property.

Is everyone saying this is a lie, then?

Or did the OCB management merely put up a sign temporarily after the "shitstorm" occurred (perhaps to mollify the police), and now it's down again?

In short, does OCB (since the infamous incident) now prohibit firearms or not?