Good Samaritan helps woman who brought gun to city hall

[gunsmith]

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/051904_local_gunlady.html

By Elissa Rivas
ABC13 Eyewitness News
(5/19/04 - HOUSTON) — There's some good news for the 84-year-old woman who was arrested with a gun at city hall. Leveria Sherman had traveled to city hall to talk with a city councilwoman. She forgot she had a gun in her purse, and was arrested by police. She was released shortly afterwards, but the problem that sent her downtown in the first place remained -- high weeds and grass taking over her yard and the vacant lots next doorRight after we aired Ms. Sherman's story, we started getting calls from people who wanted to help. It takes a tractor to cut down weeds over six feet tall.

Nate Lathan said, "I saw the story on TV last night, and it was something that needed to be done."

Lathan is talking about Ms. Sherman's story. She was arrested at city hall after it was discovered she had a gun in her purse. She says she was really looking for help from the city in getting property owners to clean up their land neighboring hers.

"She was an elderly lady and they took her pistol away," Lathan said. "And these weeds, they are high. Anybody could hide in them. So, if they come down, she might have a better chance."

Ms. Sherman said, "I appreciate it. I appreciate it. His God sure is good to him, to give him that kind of heart."

Ms. Sherman was glad to see the weeds go. It's just the kind of help she could use around her house.

Lathan suggested, "When you're poor or when you're old, people kind of forget about you. So, I mean, you know, I wasn't going to let this go by without doing her justice what she needs done."

Lathan saw that story on Channel 13 and called the newsroom. We put him in contact with Councilwoman Carol Mims Galloway. She also tells us there are other needs Ms. Sherman has in terms of her health. Galloway and other volunteers are trying to help her out.

As for the gun charges, police say that matter is still under investigation.
(Copyright © 2004, KTRK-TV)

 

[griz]

I can hear cries of "the law is the law", but I can't remember the last time an 84 YO women was arrested for armed robbery.

 

[GigaBuist]

No kidding. By the time you've become a senior citizen and managed to retain the right to own firearms the entire time I think it's safe to assume they could CCW without endangering society.

The real question is though: Does she have her pistol back. If not, does she have another one? Hopefully she' still got something for HD.

 

[P95Carry]

Seemingly a bona fide case of simple forgetfullness ...... and if anyone should be keeping her gun it's that old soul. I do think - and hope - that some mitigation comes into play.... quickly.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Bet ya dollars to donuts that Lathan's a shooter, with all the traits that usually go with being one.

Anyone wanna bet?

 

[Stand_Watie]

Good man and a good neighbor.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Good man. She's got potential as a poster person too. Now, about those pesty charges, the police could always let the matter slip away.

 

[Henry Bowman]

Ben, I'd say you're right and will not take a bet against you.

 

[scubie02]

I suppose its possible they won't prosecute her, but I doubt she'll be getting her gun back.

 

[armoredman]

Let's see, little old defensless old lady has to totter down to City Hall for n answer, and not only do they NOT fix her problem, they arrest her, disarm her, and then send her pacing without her personal property? Yeah, real nice.

 

[Diggler]

If they took her gun, would it be legal to gift her one?

 

[R.H. Lee]

Doesn't Houston have a 'weed abatement' ordnance? Here in progressive Calfornia most cities will whack your weeds by a certain date then send you a bill.

 

[X-out]

As for the gun charges, police say that matter is still under investigation.

In a petty case like, when the police say the matter is "still under investigation" that's usually a signal they're simply waiting for media attention to move on to something else. (If, on the other hand, the statement was from the district attorney, that statement would have more ominous overtones.)

Odds are, though, that the gun won't be returned, no matter what. Another reminder that one should, of course, always own a backup.

Just my op.