A prominent New Haven attorney arrested for bringing a loaded gun to a late showing of the “Dark Knight” Tuesday turned the incident into a referendum on the city’s police department…. In a statement emailed to the Daily News, Hwang said he has a permit to carry a weapon and felt he needed a gun for security while walking home alone at 1 a.m.
Hwang added that “no posting at Criterion states that weapons are not permitted. As far as the law is concerned, I have a right to carry there.”…. But Hwang defended his actions declaring New Haven ‘the murder capital of Connecticut,’ which prompted him to carry the weapon for his own safety. But he found few supporters at City Hall. “Just because its legal, doesn’t make it right,” New Haven Mayor John DeStefano said in a press conference Wednesday afternoon, adding that there should be a gun registry program for cities.
After receiving multiple complaints from patrons about a man openly carrying a handgun, theater staff called the police. Cops searched the theater asking moviegoers to exit with their hands in the air while being searched, according to the press release.
Interesting that the mayor is making right and wrong judgements…and meanwhile seems to be comfortable with gun registries. Now here’s where it gets interesting:
“Officers identified the suspect and with weapons drawn, ordered the suspect to put his hands up,” the press release said. “He remained in his seat while using his cell phone. He did not comply with the officers commands, and was taken into custody by force. Officers removed a loaded handgun from the small of his back.”
Hwang was then handcuffed and removed from the theater.
“Everyone in the theater responded to the requests of the police officers except for the individual involved, the police had to take action,” New Haven Police Chief Dean Esserman said in a Wednesday afternoon press conference.
Seriously dude? You’re going to play it tough when the cops are on you with guns drawn? You have a good case, it sounds like, why’d you have to taint it by being a jackass? You’re a LAWYER, you know better, if the cops wish to wrongfully arrest you, LET THEM, then SUE THEM!
“There still are behaviors permissible under the law,” said Mayor DeStefano, “we, as a community, need to discuss our priorities as a city.”
Hwang faces two charges stemming from the incident: interfering with police and breach of the peace.
Notice the lack of weapons charges. You just screwed the pooch, Councillor! What a shame. He’s right, New Haven is a damn dangerous city, I happened to sit down to a family dinner with a New Haven cop who worked for their gang division. New Haven is no Joke, and I wouldn’t want to be walking after dark without a gun.
But if the cops are arresting you, you really aren’t in a position to debate, comply and take action AFTER you’ve posted bail. He had a case for wrongful arrest if he let them book him for lawfully carrying a firearm, but resisting arrest and disturbing the peace are grounds to bring you in.
