But just being stupid isn't a felony
I’m handling a case right now out of Sebastian, Florida. My client goes into his regular bank, National City Bank, in Sebastian, where he’s been banking for ten years or more – and tells them he wants to withdraw a rather large sum of money in cash. Even though it’s his money, even though he has an absolute right to take it out anyway he wants to – the male bank official he’s dealing with tries to talk him into taking it out as a cashier’s check – because that’s “safer”, and because it’s “dangerous” to walk around with that much cash. My client says he understands, but wants the money in cash, anyway. The bank official calls over the branch manager, who knows my client somewhat better than the first employee. She also tries to talk him out of taking the money in cash, and taking a cashier’s check – because it’s “safer”, and because taking that much cash is “dangerous”. What does my client do? Probably not the smartest thing in the world – but somewhat understandable under the circumstances. He momentarily lifts his shirt to expose the butt of a firearm he has a CWP for – and says something to the effect of: “Don’t worry – I can take care of myself”.
I’m handling a case right now out of Sebastian, Florida. My client goes into his regular bank, National City Bank, in Sebastian, where he’s been banking for ten years or more – and tells them he wants to withdraw a rather large sum of money in cash. Even though it’s his money, even though he has an absolute right to take it out anyway he wants to – the male bank official he’s dealing with tries to talk him into taking it out as a cashier’s check – because that’s “safer”, and because it’s “dangerous” to walk around with that much cash. My client says he understands, but wants the money in cash, anyway. The bank official calls over the branch manager, who knows my client somewhat better than the first employee. She also tries to talk him out of taking the money in cash, and taking a cashier’s check – because it’s “safer”, and because taking that much cash is “dangerous”.
What does my client do? Probably not the smartest thing in the world – but somewhat understandable under the circumstances. He momentarily lifts his shirt to expose the butt of a firearm he has a CWP for – and says something to the effect of: “Don’t worry – I can take care of myself”.
That my friends, is Grade-A Stupidity. We don't have Open Carry here in Florida. Which sucks, but thems the breaks for the time being until we can get enough people together to fight the system. Showing your firearm, even if a friendly "look what I have, especially to people in a bank is not up there with The Greatest Ideas in the World.
Now, this guy's intent wasn't to rob the bank nor was it to threaten anyone. He was concerned with the way the world is spinning and decided to cash out, shove it all under a mattress, and wait for the Four Horsemen to go on tour. Any shmuck with 3/4s of a brain cell can see that. Apparently, you only need 1/4 of a brain cell to become a prosecutor, and this guy is up on FELONY charges.
The sad part is that he now has to convince 12 booger-eating morons who are pissed that they had to miss Oprah to do jury duty that he didn't threaten anyone. And he's going to have a hair-brained prosecutor who's more concerned about WINNING than getting the truth out actively seeking to undermine any amount of logic that might be introduced by his lawyer. Also, by introducing Mandatory Minimum Sentencing, the pressure to just cop a plea to something you didn't do is there, lest the booger eaters get antsy and require you to spend 20 years of your life behind bars.
As I continue to try to explain to my fellow Americans about their rights, I'm getting less and less convinced it's possible to do so en masse. I feel sorry for this guy, think his flashing of his pistol was a dumb move, and wish him the best of luck getting out of it.