Not the weapon he was carrying!
In their continuing effort to make institutes of higher learning into shooting galleries for the criminal and the deranged, Western Oregon University, 62 miles south of Portland, suspended a 28 year old college student Jeffrey L. Maxwell, a Marine veteran, after it was discovered that he was carrying knives and a small Derringer firearm. He had not threatened anyone, nor brandished the weapons, but someone spotted a knife sticking out of his pocket and called campus security. From a KATU story:
Maxwell, who obtained his concealed handgun license from Linn County in 2006, was criminally cited by Monmouth police for possession of a firearm in a public building.
On Tuesday, Maxwell's lawyer received an e-mail from Polk County District Attorney Stan Butterfield saying prosecutors would not pursue the criminal charge against Maxwell.
"I believe the Monmouth Police Department issued the citation in good faith and that there was an arguable violation," Butterfield wrote in the e-mail, which was obtained by KATU.com. "However, a careful reading of the statute and the facts led me to conclude the charge was not in the best interest of justice."
But, that did not stop the school's disciplinary action.
A university student disciplinary panel determined Tuesday that 30-year-old Jeffrey L. Maxwell should be suspended until the end of the spring term despite the fact that he has a concealed handgun license.
Maxwell won't be allowed to re-enroll until a licensed mental health professional notifies the university that he is not a threat to himself or others, the panel concluded. The student must also write a 10-page paper that addresses the impact the possession of weapons on college campuses has on others as well as the importance of following the law.
Neither Maxwell, a Marine Corps veteran, nor his lawyer could be immediately reached for comment. However, the Oregon Firearms Federation, which paid for Maxwell's attorney, said the panel's decision will be appealed.
Aside from the ongoing debate on whether or not to allow licensed CCW holders to carry on campus, is the choice of graphic KATU chose for their story. The revolver shown is quite a bit bigger and holds more rounds than a typical Derringer:
Two shots, short barrelled (meaning short range accuracy). The man had a rifle in his vehicle. If he'd wanted to go postal on anybody, I doubt he would have used a Derringer! Did they use this particular picture because it was more visceral? Many the story I've seen where the anchor/anchorette didn't know an automatic from a semi-automatic from a revolver.
We should, perhaps, consider inviting local newsmakers to the shooting range with us. They might enjoy it and they might learn a few things that could make them better informed when it comes to reporting on gun related stories.
Hat tip doug leier
Cross Posted at Say Anything
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