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Selectman is arrested with gun out-of-state
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
Selectman is arrested with gun out-of-state
Friday, May 24, 2002
By George Barnes
Telegram & Gazette Staff
WINCHENDON-- A selectman and free-lance photographer whose work frequently appears in the Telegram and Gazette was arrested Wednesday after telling a Connecticut National Guardsman he had a pistol stored in his car.
He was charged with carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle and carrying a pistol without a permit. Although Mr. Gould is licensed to carry guns in Massachusetts, he is not licensed in Connecticut. He was released on $500 cash bail and ordered to appear in Enfield, Conn., court June 4.
At a news conference yesterday afternoon in Town Hall, Burton E. Gould Jr., 67, of 126 West St. said he was arrested Wednesday afternoon by Connecticut State Police at Bradley International Airport after he was stopped during a routine check at the airport's parking garage.
Mr. Gould said he was at the airport to pick up his brother James and was asked if he was carrying any guns. He acknowledged he had his .38-caliber snub nose Smith & Wesson revolver in the console of his truck, and was taken to a state police barracks, where he was charged.
Bradley International Airport Police Officer Tony Ostrowski confirmed what Mr. Gould said about his arrest. He said the incident took place at 2:05 p.m. in the airport parking garage.
Officer Ostrowski said it is standard procedure since Sept. 11 for the National Guard to inspect all vehicles entering parking facilities at the Windsor Locks, Conn., airport. He said Mr. Gould had a gun in his truck. It was locked and stored out of sight, but when Mr. Gould was asked, he admitted having the weapon.
At the press conference, Mr. Gould said he did have the gun in his vehicle, but did not believe he violated any law by having it stored in the vehicle.
"I don't think I'm guilty of a damn thing," he said. "My weapon was in my possession and it was where no one could see it."
Mr. Gould said he could have said nothing and avoided any problem, but was being honest in admitting he had the gun. He added that he was not arrested on the spot but drove himself to the state police barracks. He said he admits he went into a neighboring state with his gun but did not realize the permits he holds in Massachusetts and New Hampshire did not cover him in that state.
"I have a license to carry a concealed weapon in both states for all purposes," he said. "I carry it to protect myself and my equipment."
Mr. Gould said he often has up to $15,000 worth of camera equipment with him and twice his vehicle has been broken into and equipment stolen.
He said he would not have brought the gun to the airport had he not been preoccupied with the recent death of his mother and had been aware he was not covered by his Massachusetts permit.
"These past few weeks I've been operating at half-speed," he said.
Mr. Gould said he made a mistake but added, "You don't make mistakes if you're not doing anything."
The selectman said he plans to show up in court June 4. He has not decided whether he will fight the charges or not. He said he is also unsure how his arrest in Connecticut will affect his permits in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
The gun was confiscated by police. He said the court will decide if the confiscation is permanent.
Mr. Gould said he decided to hold the press conference because he has always been a public person and thought the public should be aware of what is happening with him. He said, other than this arrest, he has a clean police record and he believes in the rights of gun owners.
"I'm a member of the NRA (National Rifle Association) and proud of it," he said. http://www.telegram.com/news/south/sburt.html
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
Friday, May 24, 2002
By George Barnes
Telegram & Gazette Staff
WINCHENDON-- A selectman and free-lance photographer whose work frequently appears in the Telegram and Gazette was arrested Wednesday after telling a Connecticut National Guardsman he had a pistol stored in his car.
He was charged with carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle and carrying a pistol without a permit. Although Mr. Gould is licensed to carry guns in Massachusetts, he is not licensed in Connecticut. He was released on $500 cash bail and ordered to appear in Enfield, Conn., court June 4.
At a news conference yesterday afternoon in Town Hall, Burton E. Gould Jr., 67, of 126 West St. said he was arrested Wednesday afternoon by Connecticut State Police at Bradley International Airport after he was stopped during a routine check at the airport's parking garage.
Mr. Gould said he was at the airport to pick up his brother James and was asked if he was carrying any guns. He acknowledged he had his .38-caliber snub nose Smith & Wesson revolver in the console of his truck, and was taken to a state police barracks, where he was charged.
Bradley International Airport Police Officer Tony Ostrowski confirmed what Mr. Gould said about his arrest. He said the incident took place at 2:05 p.m. in the airport parking garage.
Officer Ostrowski said it is standard procedure since Sept. 11 for the National Guard to inspect all vehicles entering parking facilities at the Windsor Locks, Conn., airport. He said Mr. Gould had a gun in his truck. It was locked and stored out of sight, but when Mr. Gould was asked, he admitted having the weapon.
At the press conference, Mr. Gould said he did have the gun in his vehicle, but did not believe he violated any law by having it stored in the vehicle.
"I don't think I'm guilty of a damn thing," he said. "My weapon was in my possession and it was where no one could see it."
Mr. Gould said he could have said nothing and avoided any problem, but was being honest in admitting he had the gun. He added that he was not arrested on the spot but drove himself to the state police barracks. He said he admits he went into a neighboring state with his gun but did not realize the permits he holds in Massachusetts and New Hampshire did not cover him in that state.
"I have a license to carry a concealed weapon in both states for all purposes," he said. "I carry it to protect myself and my equipment."
Mr. Gould said he often has up to $15,000 worth of camera equipment with him and twice his vehicle has been broken into and equipment stolen.
He said he would not have brought the gun to the airport had he not been preoccupied with the recent death of his mother and had been aware he was not covered by his Massachusetts permit.
"These past few weeks I've been operating at half-speed," he said.
Mr. Gould said he made a mistake but added, "You don't make mistakes if you're not doing anything."
The selectman said he plans to show up in court June 4. He has not decided whether he will fight the charges or not. He said he is also unsure how his arrest in Connecticut will affect his permits in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
The gun was confiscated by police. He said the court will decide if the confiscation is permanent.
Mr. Gould said he decided to hold the press conference because he has always been a public person and thought the public should be aware of what is happening with him. He said, other than this arrest, he has a clean police record and he believes in the rights of gun owners.
"I'm a member of the NRA (National Rifle Association) and proud of it," he said. http://www.telegram.com/news/south/sburt.html
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
Comments
If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.
The sound of a 12 gauge pump clears a house fatser than Rosie O eats a Big Mac !
they had a weapon.The gun laws encourage criminal behavour.They reward criminal behavour,while punishing the law-abiding.I hope
the judge in this case can see this.