Yesterday, we reported on the Philadelphia police’s lack of enthusiasm for out-of-state concealed carry permits. A position which led to nine arrests for firearms possession—where the charges were eventually dropped. So far, the Philly po-po have only returned one of the weapons, despite the fact that four of the men are security guards. Today, philly.com reports the story of another highly dubious gun grab.
After her son was killed in 2008, Sherderian Sutton got a Philadelphia license to carry a concealed weapon and a small Ruger pistol to protect herself and her surviving children.
On Monday, when police knocked on her door, Sutton hoped that they were bringing the news she’s waited two years to hear . . .
“I thought they were coming to my door to tell me they had my son’s murderer,” she said. “But they were coming to take me and my gun, and now I’m defenseless.”
Sutton, 38, of North Philadelphia, said that her troubles began last week, when workers from Wilco Cable came to her back door to ask for permission to work in her yard.
Long story short, Ms. Sutton eventually spoke to the workers with her home defense gun in plain view. And then . . .
Sutton said that the workers went about their business but three hours later, about 11:25 a.m., police came to her door. She said she let them in and they went through her house – with guns drawn – even pointing them at her 14- and 16-year-old children.
She said that she was taken into custody, held for 12 hours – from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. – and that her gun and her license to carry it were taken away from her.
According to court records, Sutton, who has no record, was charged with simple assault and possessing instruments of a crime, both misdemeanors.
On what grounds? The police allege that Ms. Sutton pointed her weapon at the workers.
Sutton insists she never pointed the gun and wonders why, if the workers were scared, they continued to work on her property after she answered the door. Wilco representatives did not return a request for comment.
Now, Sutton feels that the police, who are supposed to keep her safe, have taken her safety away.
Even if she’s found not guilty or the charges are dropped, Sutton will still have to petition the court to get her weapon back.
“They didn’t find my son’s murderer but they got me,” she said. “Now I don’t have a gun to protect myself.”
What’s not being said here: Ms. Sutton is wearing a burka. Did the workers and the police jump to conclusions? In any case, the City of Brotherly Love doesn’t seem to believe in self-defense. Turf war?
