New Orleans Admits To Saf Attorneys They Have Seized Guns

[Keith Hamburger]

Oops. Forgot the link. The whole press release is short so it's all below but, here's the link. http://www.saf.org/viewpr-new.asp?id=177

This is borderline on the topic as the press release just came out and none of the major news wires have picked it up as far as I can tell. Perhaps they won't as this is so far from the accepted line that it is likely to be ignored.

In a stunning reversal, the City of New Orleans revealed today to attorneys representing the Second Amendment Foundation and National Rifle Association that they do have a stockpile of firearms seized from private citizens in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The disclosure came as attorneys for both sides were preparing for a hearing in federal court on a motion filed earlier by SAF and NRA to hold the city in contempt. Plaintiffs’ attorneys traveled to a location within the New Orleans city limits where they viewed more than 1,000 firearms that were being stored.

“This is a very significant event,” said attorney Dan Holliday, who represents NRA and SAF in an on-going lawsuit seeking to enjoin the city from seizing privately-owned firearms.

“We’re almost in disbelief,” admitted SAF Founder Alan Gottlieb. “For months, the city has maintained it did not have any guns in its possession that had been taken from people following the hurricane. Now our attorneys have seen the proof that New Orleans was less than honest with the court.”

Under an agreement with the court, the hearing on the contempt motion has been continued for two weeks, the attorneys said. During that time, according to Holliday and fellow attorney Stephen Halbrook, the city will establish a process by which the lawful owners of those firearms can recover their guns.

“While we are stunned at this complete reversal on the city’s part,” Gottlieb said, “the important immediate issue is making sure gun owners get their property back. We’re glad that the city is going to move swiftly to make that possible, and naturally we will do whatever is necessary to make this happen.

“What happened in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina was an outrage,” Gottlieb observed. “Equally disturbing is the fact that it apparently took a motion for contempt to force the city to admit what it had been denying for the past five months.

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nations oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 600,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers and an amicus brief and fund for the Emerson case holding the Second Amendment as an individual right.

Now that they've admitted to lying to everyone, including the court, nothing more is likely to happen.

These guys should be imprisoned for a long time for violating the Constitutional rights of American citizens, perjury and far more.

Keith

[SteveA]

At a minimum they need to set some examples. I agree that anyone knowingly lying about this should serve some prison time. It's ridiculous that to get some justice you have to pull teeth. They shouldn't have been looting peoples homes in the first place but then to stonewall attempts at resolving this is an injustice that calls for punishment. If someone breaks into your home and steals things, we toss him in jail. Simply because the one doing it is suppose to represent our government doesn't excuse it, if anything it seems to require even more harsh actions especially if they pile a conspiracy to suppress a constitutional right into the mix also. People have got to draw a line somewhere. This seems a perfect spot to do it. Trials, sentences, and if appropriate - prison.

[Osborn F Enready]

I agree Steve. Thanks for the article and link Keith.