[doconix]

LINK TO ARTICLE HERE

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) -- A 63 year old woman from Pennsylvania was arrested on Sunday after attempting to enter Walt Disney World with a loaded handgun. Walt Disney World security personnel discovered a silver color, Beretta .32 caliber semi-automatic handgun during a routine safety check as the woman was attempting to enter the park with other family members.

The woman, identified as Mary Ann Richardson of Nickelson, Pennsylvania, stated that she traveled with the handgun and had forgotten she was carrying it in her purse. Walt Disney World Security notified The Orange County Sheriff's Office which sent deputies to recover the gun. It was in was loaded with seven live rounds in the magazine; the chamber however was empty.

Inside her purse the woman also had a pair of scissors and a locked blade knife. Orange County deputies took the woman into custody and charged her with possession of a concealed weapon. The incident remains under investigation.

Stringent, zero-tolerance, security measures have been in place at all Central Florida theme parks since September 11, 2001.

Interesting since we were just discussing carrying at Disney. Sounds like they don't tolerate much. And this is Florida -- not California. I was at Disneyland (California) last week and could have easily carried a gun. I didn't because it's too difficult to bring a gun anywhere in California. I left it home. Disney only did a cursory check of my backpack at the door. No checks of my person. But I sure wouldn't want my mug up on national TV if caught.

The article doesn't say whether she had a license for concealed carry or not. Also says that she had a "loaded" handgun since there were "live rounds" in the mag (but not in the chamber).

 

[Car Knocker]

Orange County deputies took the woman into custody and charged her with possession of a concealed weapon.

Sounds more like she didn't have a valid permit to carry.

 

[apollosmith]

She must not have had a permit. If she had, this would not have been illegal. Florida laws are much like Utah's - company policies do not carry the weight of law.

What is most surprising is that security actually saw the gun while glancing inside the bag.

 

[Jeff Johnson]

...
The article doesn't say whether she had a license for concealed carry or not. Also says that she had a "loaded" handgun since there were "live rounds" in the mag (but not in the chamber).

To my knowledge, Utah is the only state with that quirky definition of loaded/unloaded. I believe that in other states, a charged magazine makes it a loaded weapon even if no round is chambered.

I'm guessing that she didn't have a permit recognized by Florida, otherwise I can't see how she would be charged with anything.

 

[GeneticsDave]

It was in was loaded with seven live rounds in the magazine; the chamber however was empty.

I love how they specify that she had "live rounds" in the magazine... what other rounds would she have? "It was loaded with seven snap caps in the magazine; the chamber however was empty. Officers wrestled the 63 year old woman to the ground as she tried to cut their uniforms up with a pair of concealed scissors."

They have been very strict since September 11, 2001. They have been checking handbags and backpacks for concealed jet liners that could be flown into splash mountain.

LOL, you gotta love the media - seven live rounds...

 

[xmirage2kx]

Inside her purse the woman also had a pair of scissors and a locked blade knife.

I didn't know scissors were illegal to own. Maybe I better get my concealed scissors permit next time I visit FL. Even worse she had her old lady swiss army knife in there too.

 

[HERMIT]

To my knowledge, Utah is the only state with that quirky definition of loaded/unloaded. I believe that in other states, a charged magazine makes it a loaded weapon even if no round is chambered.

I could be wrong but I think Utah's law is almost word for word copy of Florida's law about the loaded Vs unloaded thing. I hope someone who really does know can post about it.
HERMIT

 

[xmirage2kx]

I could not find the definition of loaded in FL's law, but I only looked for a few mins.

Linky

 

[althor]

To my knowledge, Utah is the only state with that quirky definition of loaded/unloaded. I believe that in other states, a charged magazine makes it a loaded weapon even if no round is chambered.

I'm not sure I'd call it quirky... maybe unique. But its the only definition that makes sense to me.

 

[xmirage2kx]

In many states even having a loaded mag on your person or in your car could make the gun legally loaded.

 

[bane]

In many states even having a loaded mag on your person or in your car could make the gun legally loaded.

Wow... that's insane! :shock:

 

[xmirage2kx]

In many states even having a loaded mag on your person or in your car could make the gun legally loaded.

Wow... that's insane! :shock:

I guess the idea is after you retreat and load your mag and put it into your gun the threat will be over or you should have called the cops.

 

[Car Knocker]

Charge details:

Phase: Initial
Defendant: MARY ANN RICHARDSON Count #: 501
Offense Date: 12/9/2007 Citation #:
Complaint Date: 12/9/2007 Information Date:
Statute: 790.01(2)-2616 - CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPON FIREARM
Charge Level: FELONY Charge Degree: THIRD DEGREE

Law she's accused of violating:

790.01 Carrying concealed weapons.--

(1) Except as provided in subsection (4), a person who carries a concealed weapon or electric weapon or device on or about his or her person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(2) A person who carries a concealed firearm on or about his or her person commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(3) This section does not apply to a person licensed to carry a concealed weapon or a concealed firearm pursuant to the provisions of s. 790.06.

http://www.myorangeclerk.com/myclerk/Bk ... 4381801e49
Incidentally, she used a bail bond agency to bond out the same day.

 

[xmirage2kx]

Charge details:

Law she's accused of violating:

790.01 Carrying concealed weapons.--

(1) Except as provided in subsection (4), a person who carries a concealed weapon or electric weapon or device on or about his or her person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(2) A person who carries a concealed firearm on or about his or her person commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

Kinda harsh since it looks like she could have just been charged with a "misdemeanor of the first degree" for the same act. A felony charge is kinda steep. well I am sure she will get it reduced to a misdemeanor

 

[bane]

I could be wrong but (1) vs (2) seems like they are differentiating between carrying a non-firearm concealed weapon (1) vs. a firearm concealed weapon (2) -- thus, since she was carrying a concealed firearm then (2) applies not (1).

I agree, though, without showing intent to commit a violent crime, making someone a felon for merely concealing their defense weapon seems AWEFULLY HARSH!

 

[apollosmith]

I agree, though, without showing intent to commit a violent crime, making someone a felon for merely concealing their defense weapon seems AWEFULLY HARSH!

It does seem harsh, but the law doesn't consider ignorance when pressing charges. What would be real interesting is if she did have a permit, but it was from a state that Florida doesn't recognize.

You have to admit, the laws regarding concealed carry are extremely complicated and change from state to state. When I travel, it takes at least an hour to determine what I can and can't do with regard to weapons in the state (and sometimes county or city) that I'm travelling to... and I'm internet savvy and know where to look. I would never expect my grandmother to be able to make sense of all of it.

 

[xmirage2kx]

I could be wrong but (1) vs (2) seems like they are differentiating between carrying a non-firearm concealed weapon (1) vs. a firearm concealed weapon (2) -- thus, since she was carrying a concealed firearm then (2) applies not (1).

I agree, though, without showing intent to commit a violent crime, making someone a felon for merely concealing their defense weapon seems AWEFULLY HARSH!

it looks like you are correct, I missed that part in my reading.

 

[Tarzan1888]

You have to be smart about where and how you carry.

Tarzan

 

[Car Knocker]

Here's the complete code section:

790.01 Carrying concealed weapons.--

(1) Except as provided in subsection (4), a person who carries a concealed weapon or electric weapon or device on or about his or her person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(2) A person who carries a concealed firearm on or about his or her person commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(3) This section does not apply to a person licensed to carry a concealed weapon or a concealed firearm pursuant to the provisions of s. 790.06.

(4) It is not a violation of this section for a person to carry for purposes of lawful self-defense, in a concealed manner:

(a) A self-defense chemical spray.

(b) A nonlethal stun gun or dart-firing stun gun or other nonlethal electric weapon or device that is designed solely for defensive purposes.

(5) This section does not preclude any prosecution for the use of an electric weapon or device, a dart-firing stun gun, or a self-defense chemical spray during the commission of any criminal offense under s. 790.07, s. 790.10, s. 790.23, or s. 790.235, or for any other criminal offense.

History.--s. 1, ch. 4929, 1901; GS 3262; RGS 5095; CGL 7197; s. 1, ch. 67-165; s. 2, ch. 69-306; s. 739, ch. 71-136; s. 2, ch. 76-165; s. 3, ch. 80-268; s. 2, ch. 92-183; s. 2, ch. 97-72; s. 1203, ch. 97-102; s. 5, ch. 2004-286; s. 2, ch. 2006-298.

 

[Hunter]

I'm kind of surprised anyone found the gun. After all they've always been considered to be a "Mickey Mouse Outfit." :lol: