Nra Has Own Member Arrested At National Convention

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http://www.freestateproject.org/nra-pr.htm

NRA HAS OWN MEMBER ARRESTED AT NATIONAL CONVENTION

April 29, 2003 – The National Rifle Association apparently had one of its members, a pro-gun activist, arrested at its national convention on Sunday, April 27, 2003 in Orlando, Florida for handing out pro-gun freedom literature from the Free State Project, Inc. The unlucky NRA member was Timothy Condon, a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and Director of Member Services for the rapidly growing Free State Project. He was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff's Department Sunday for "trespassing" outside the Orange County Convention Center when he refused to leave or cease handing out the Free State Project literature (see sample).

"I believe there is a First Amendment problem with prohibiting people from passing out political literature on public property where there is no problem caused by it," said Condon, who also happens to be an attorney who practices law in Tampa, Florida. "What is even more bizarre to me is that the National Rifle Association would have one of its own members arrested for passing out literature that supports the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms."

Condon, who was attending the NRA convention himself, was held for 10 hours at the Orange County Jail before being released on bond. Jason Sorens, founder and president of the Free State Project, vowed to explore legal action against the National Rifle Association. "This is just outrageous," said Sorens. "It appears that the NRA only supports the First and Second Amendments to the Constitution if it's done according to their orders. I really think members of the NRA need to question their loyalty to an organization that would have one of its own members arrested for passing out pro-gun literature at its own convention."

Condon, a longtime NRA member, vowed to plead not guilty to the charge of trespassing, and said he is considering canceling his membership in the organization. "It looks as if the Free State Project is a stronger supporter of the Second Amendment, not to mention the First Amendment, than the NRA," he quipped.

END
 
FL: Pro-Gun Group Prompts Arrest Of One
Of Its Own At National Convention
By J.J. Johnson - Sierra Times.com


Orlando, Florida - Leaders of a pro-second amendment, liberty activist group are outraged over the arrest of a member of their group, who is also a paid member of the well-known second amendment group that had him arrested for passing out flyers outside a gun show last Sunday.
The National Rifle Association apparently had one of its members, a pro-gun activist, arrested at its national convention on, April 27, 2003 in Orlando, Florida for handing out pro-gun freedom literature from an organization known as the Free State Project, Inc. The unlucky NRA member was Timothy Condon, a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and Director of Member Services for the rapidly growing Free State Project.

The Free State Project is a plan in which 20,000 or more liberty-oriented people will move to a single state of the U.S., where they may work within the political system to reduce the size and scope of government. The success of the Free State Project would likely entail reductions in burdensome taxation and regulation, reforms in state and local law, an end to federal mandates, and a restoration of constitutional federalism, demonstrating the benefits of liberty to the rest of the nation and the world.

Condon was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff's Department Sunday for "trespassing" outside the Orange County Convention Center when he refused to leave or cease handing out the Free State Project literature.


"I believe there is a First Amendment problem with prohibiting people from passing out political literature on public property where there is no problem caused by it," said Condon, who also happens to be an attorney who practices law in Tampa, Florida. "What is even more bizarre to me is that the National Rifle Association would have one of its own members arrested for passing out literature that supports the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms."

Condon, who was attending the NRA convention himself, was held for 10 hours at the Orange County Jail before being released on bond. Jason Sorens, founder and president of the Free State Project, vowed to explore legal action against the National Rifle Association. "This is just outrageous," said Sorens. "It appears that the NRA only supports the First and Second Amendments to the Constitution if it's done according to their orders. I really think members of the NRA need to question their loyalty to an organization that would have one of its own members arrested for passing out pro-gun literature at its own convention."

Condon, a longtime NRA member, vowed to plead not guilty to the charge of trespassing, and said he is considering canceling his membership in the organization. "It looks as if the Free State Project is a stronger supporter of the Second Amendment, not to mention the First Amendment, than the NRA," he quipped.

The Free State Project has their own conference (The Great Western Conference) planned for May 24 and 25th in Missoula, Montana. According the Free State Project, NRA members will not be barred from attendance.


http://www.sierratimes.com/03/05/05/article_fsp_nra.htm
 
So he was too stupid to leave when told that he was tresspassing. So he decided to get himself arrested to get some free publicity. Yawn. What an idiot.

If he wants to rent a soapbox I'm sure the facility has some open days left on its' schedule. The 1st Amendment does not require anyone to pay for anyone else's soapbox.

John
 
So he was too stupid to leave when told that he was tresspassing. So he decided to get himself arrested to get some free publicity.
Click to expand...
Uh, that would depend on whether he was flyering on private, rented-by-the-NRA property, or public, owned-by-no-one property. Condon himself says he was on public property.

This also still leaves open the question of why the NRA, an allegedly pro-gun organization, would have a pro-gun activist arrested for handing out pro-gun leaflets. Could it be that the NRA wants its own personal monopoly on pro-gun activism? Recent events make me thing, yeah, maybe so.

I get more and more disgusted with the NRA leadership every day.

- Chris
 
I get more and more disgusted with the NRA leadership every day.

While maintaining my membership I am, after reading way too many articles like this one and the other I have posted about NRA and CATO, beginning to wonder if I will continue. I like the idea of staying with the biggest and most influential, but they sure are making that harder to do. :confused:
 
Condon himself says he was on public property.
Click to expand...
If that were the case, the NRA could not have had him arrested, plain and simple.

This also still leaves open the question of why the NRA, an allegedly pro-gun organization, would have a pro-gun activist arrested for handing out pro-gun leaflets.
Click to expand...
Maybe they didn't want anyone to link the FSP with the NRA. The media is always looking for any opportunity to drag the NRA through the mud and without knowing the full scope of the FSP, its a safe bet to not have them associated with the NRA. It is afterall their party, so you play by their rules.

I get more and more disgusted with the NRA leadership every day.
Click to expand...
Yeah, damn NRA asserting their property rights. They should be slapped for that.
 
I don't see how the NRA could have had anything to do with this.

Sounds like an issue between the FSP, and the owner of the convention center.

How could the NRA "have someone arrested"?
 
How could the NRA "have someone arrested"?
Click to expand...

Ahh, therein lies the story. (Its written on the wall)
How could any abuses take place in this freedom loving land?
No one abuses the Constitution, jus ask em'. "Nope."

Lotsa talk and no victories from the NRA. Makes em sound much like the government. Soon we'll be able (required?) to store our arms with the governmental NRA.



I like the idea of staying with the biggest and most influential
Click to expand...

Thats We the People, but word hasn't gotten around yet. The NRA has sold us out and is playing government tactics now, compromise, deception, compromise, deception. Bet their pockets are full.
 
Well,

IANAL, or a LEO for this jurisdiction, but criminal trespass laws GENERALLY work like this:

1. You must be on private property.

2. You must be advised by the property owner (or an agent) to leave and not return.

3. You must then either refuse to leave, or leave and return.



So there are two big issues here.

1. Was he in violation of the law?

2. Why is the NRA doing this, and are they 'right' to do so?

The second is a matter of debate and conjecture, and there is almost certainly a lot of backstory involved. Anyone know it?

The first is also unknown, but I'm almost willing to bet that he thought he was on public property, but was actually on the convention center's lot. And, for whatever reason, the convention center got sick of him being there. So they called the cops.

We see that sort of thing quite a bit when the PETA protestors show up to protest a certain store in a certain mall selling fur. There is much whining and whinging and crying about "1st Amendment this" and "freedom of that." I finally had to have the following convo with a protestor:

Me: "Listen. Do you have a front yard?"

Her: "Uh...yeah. Why?"

Me: "This is what I'm gonna do. I want to hold a BBQ to protest your animal rights silliness. I'm gonna kill a cow, cook it and eat it in your front yard. Should I be allowed to do that?"

Her: "NO! You can't do that!"

Me: "Why?"

Her: "Because its my yard and-"

Me: "right. its your yard, and if you don't want me BBQing in your yard you can tell me to leave. Right now you're BBQing on the Mall's front yard, and they're telling you to leave. So leave."

Some people's kids.

Mike :scrutiny:
 
it would seem obvious to me that the 'fantasy state project' doesn't really respect private property when it doesn't suit their goals...wow - just like the socialists! imagine that!
 
"FL: Pro-Gun Group Prompts Arrest Of One
Of Its Own At National Convention
By J.J. Johnson - Sierra Times.com "

:( I expected better of J.J. *sigh*

The brief article smacks of sensationalism, and too few (none?) of the facts.
 
He was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff's Department Sunday for "trespassing" outside the Orange County Convention Center when he refused to leave or cease handing out the Free State Project literature (see sample).
Click to expand...

Tim was an exhibitor at the convention. He's a long time NRA member. He was handing out some literature outside. LMAO @ "fantasy" state. Too true.

I'll find out the rest of the story. Tim is performing my wedding later this month.
 
Okay, he was outside the building, but I bet the rental fee for the building included the parking lot, too. That's the way it works around here - it's a package deal.

John
 
there is almost certainly a lot of backstory involved. Anyone know it?
Click to expand...
Why ruin a perfectly good opportunity to rant at/about the NRA with facts? I mean, we all KNOW they're really a front for the DNC, and any time we lose a gun-related vote or issue in any forum it's because they sold us out, right?
:banghead: :cuss: :fire:
 
It's not hard to guess at the NRA's side of this. rock jock already did so, and I agree with his conjecture.

I know Tim, as I said. He's a friend of mine. He's a very amusing character, bright and opinionated, always smiling. He has a loud voice, and is not afraid to use it. Frankly, he can be obnoxious, in a lovable, cheery way.

The FSP is an ill-conceived project that can't work. It can't work because I'm exactly the kind of guy to whom it should appeal, and I have no interest. Most, it seems, are like me in that respect. Frankly, it's wacky.

So, you've got a loud, obnoxious guy spouting wacky ideas handing out pro-gun literature in front of the NRA convention. Shocking that they'd want him gone. :rolleyes:

Whether or not they have a right to make him go away is another matter. I guess we'll find out.
 
""The Free State Project is a plan in which 20,000 or more liberty-oriented people will move to a single state of the U.S., where they may work within the political system to reduce the size and scope of government""

I guess their idea of liberty doesn't include being free from a deluge of newcomers moving into a rural area and telling the natives how to run their lives.
 
This is cut-and-pasted from the Yahoo group Arkansas Shooters:

I contacted NRA thru e-mail and this was their response.
From: "Membership" <[email protected]> Save Address | Headers
To: (address deleted)
CC:
Date: Wed, 7 May 2003 13:51:45 -0400
Subject: RE: What's up with this report????????????????
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------

After receiving communications about this incident, NRA made
inquiries into this matter. Here are the facts of this case as
relayed to us by the authorities: Orange County Convention Center
security staff witnessed Mr. Condon passing out literature on
Convention Center property. The convention center staff asked him to
stop and to leave their property. Mr. Condon refused. The security
staff notified the Orange County Sheriff's Department. A Sheriff's
Deputy responded and told Mr. Condon, after another warning, that he
would be arrested for trespassing if he did not leave the convention
center's property. He refused again and was arrested.

The NRA did not call for Mr. Condon's arrest. The parties involved
in this matter are Mr. Condon, the Orange County Convention Center
and the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Sincerely,

NRA Member Communications
Click to expand...
 
Ah...as I thought.
Orange County Convention Center security staff witnessed Mr. Condon passing out literature on Convention Center property. The convention center staff asked him to stop and to leave their property. Mr. Condon refused. The security staff notified the Orange County Sheriff's Department. A Sheriff's Deputy responded and told Mr. Condon, after another warning, that he would be arrested for trespassing if he did not leave the convention center's property. He refused again and was arrested.
Click to expand...
A previous poster stated it best: I guess private property rights only apply if you agree with Free State Project's agenda. This smacks of hypocrisy, but maybe its just me. :uhoh:

Mike
 
Target practice
message board

Someone didn't like Condon's message



By William Dean Hinton
Published 5/15/03

It was the third day of the National Rifle Association's annual conference, April 27, and Tim Condon thought he was home free. He had already survived two days of sore feet, meddlesome security officers and zealous members of the Million Mom March yelling anti-gun slogans through a bull-horn.

Condon, a 53-year-old Tampa attorney, traveled to the Orange County Convention Center to hand out fliers and brochures promoting an idea both radical and conservative. Condon is a charter member of the Free State Project, a nonprofit organization that wants to enlist 20,000 Libertarian volunteers to relocate to one of the least-populated states, probably Wyoming or New Hampshire. The Libertarians, who are so conservative they don't believe in fighting the war on drugs any more than the war on Iraq, would then have a large enough voting block to dominate local and state governments. Free State advocates hope they can create their own kind of utopia -- a state that will appeal to gun owners as much as pot smokers and low-tax fanatics. Already 3,500 people have agreed to relocate.

But day three of the conference, security guards suddenly took an interest in Condon, who was standing underneath a covered walkway outside the Orange County Convention Center. According to Condon, the guards asked him to cease and desist. He refused, so they contacted an Orange County deputy, who wanted to know what Condon was distributing.

The deputy also asked Condon to stop handing out pamphlets, but he refused, citing the First Amendment and the fact that the Convention Center is a well-traveled, public building. Condon was told to move to the sidewalk, a half-mile strip along the Convention Center where protesting is often conducted. But he says the sidewalk afforded no opportunity to interact with NRA members who were getting off shuttles and going in the front door. The deputy called his supervisor who, according to Condon, called another supervisor. By this time, about eight security guards and several deputies surrounded Condon.

Finally, one of the deputies verbally warned Condon he was trespassing. When Condon kept handing out fliers, the deputy gave him a written citation. When Condon continued his distribution, deputies put him in handcuffs and marched him through the Convention Center. Twelve hours later, he was released from the 33rd Street jail on a $500 bond.

The arrest is absurd for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that the authority providing for it, the state's trespassing law, pertains to "a person who, without being authorized or invited, willfully enters or remains upon a property."

Condon is a member of the NRA. He registered for the free convention two months ago. He was distributing information to members of his own clan. "How can you be guilty of trespassing on a piece of property you were invited to come onto?" asks Frederick W. Vollrath, Condon's attorney.

Vollrath says the case will likely be thrown out as soon as an Orange County prosecutor is assigned to it. He's prepared to point out the large number of U.S. Supreme Court decisions showing that Condon had a right to distribute information on the very spot he was arrested.

Condon, meanwhile, blames the NRA for his arrest. He says legislative-affairs director Glen Caroline warned him to stop distributing fliers and that a security officer told him the arrest was approved by NRA leadership.

"Somebody decided to make a decision," Condon says. "The idiots at the NRA had one of their own members, a pro-gun rights advocate, arrested."

The NRA failed to return phone calls. But the Convention Center's manager of security and transportation, Greg Forehand, agrees with Condon, saying he was arrested "on behalf of the NRA management staff."

"We don't like to trespass anyone," Forehand says. "It's not what we are all about here. We believe in family. We believe in hospitality. These things are very important to us."



http://www.orlandoweekly.com/news/story.asp?ID=3945
 
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