Author Joel Rosenberg Arrested

[Gilhelmi]

When I got my conceal carry permit in Kansas, the instructors told us even if the shooting was just. That we should not give a statement

snip

I completely agree. I would not talk to the police without a lawyer and seeing the whole case beforehand.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

I think something is going on here...

 

[Deacon Cole]

Spoken like someone never arrested. Even the smallest arrest is such a giant pain in the ass, and so scary, it's not worth any amount of money. Even if you get away scott free, it can ruin your life forever. Just ask any man that's been falsely accused of child molestation. Any woman, either.

I suspect the cops are embarrassed for screwing up in the first place, and were trying to strong-arm him into shutting up.

So conspiracy theories and more likely than cheap publicity stunts.

So when is he going to be arrested for child molestation?

 

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

Interesting. I wouldn't expect that someone so well versed in firearms and the laws surrounding them would be caught out like that. But then I don't know the whole story, so I'll reserve judgement, there could be any number of reasons for his arrest, including something as simple as forgetting to have an appropriate piece of documentation or something.

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

I love how law now adays is what they say it is regardless of whats in the books...or constitution.... or reality...

Also at first glance I thought this story would be about swords and stuff not carrying a gun. LOL

 

[geldonyetich]

I can't see possession of a handgun as being all that expensive. His getting arrested and noticed by news agencies will probably get him more sales of his book than the whole ordeal comes to.

 

[Jake the Snake]

I'm guessing he'll be alright. My state's legislation is known to be very fair

 

[Starke]

Russ Pitts is the Editor-in-Chief of The Escapist, a long-time fan of Joel Rosengberg's work and a member of the NRA.

I seriously would never have guessed that.

Glad I don't live in Minneapolis, or any city for that matter.

Somehow this makes me think of that Iron Man meme.

 

[Tom Phoenix]

But it's hard to believe that with so much at stake his mind will be occupied with little else but the fight for his freedom.

You would be suprised how many works were written by authors when they were going through a challenging period of their life. Infact, he might decide to write precisely to take his mind off of his current situation.

But anyway, it seems like the author knows the laws inside-out, yet the police still managed to somehow screw things up. I hope justice wins in the end.

 

[Scars Unseen]

what does this have to do with video games? oh right nothing. im sorry but this is jsut the editor trying to force his own political views down the throats of the fans of this site. im opposed to the nra, and if i get so much as a warning for disagreeing with this article i know the escapist cares for the first amendment as much as the nra cares about reducing gun violance, none.

Seriously? When's the last time you looked over this site's features? This site hasn't been solely about video games in quite a while, even if that is still the primary focus.

As for disagreeing... well, the way I see it, this isn't about the NRA or even the 2nd amendment. It's about the abuse of authority (and arguably about a guy that seems to be looking for trouble). Is it only on The Escapist because the guy is an at least reasonably well known author? Yep. If that sort of thing doesn't pique your interest, then so be it. No reason to tweak the (article) author's nose over it.

I guess I just don't see the point of being combative just so you can cry "oppression" when you get slapped down.

 

[matrix3509]

I suspect someone is trying to up his book sales.

Obvious troll is obvious.

 

[Ensiferum]

what does this have to do with video games? oh right nothing. im sorry but this is jsut the editor trying to force his own political views down the throats of the fans of this site. im opposed to the nra, and if i get so much as a warning for disagreeing with this article i know the escapist cares for the first amendment as much as the nra cares about reducing gun violance, none.

The Escapist covers all sorts of "geek-related" news, not just news pertaining to video-games. The editor isn't trying to "force his own political views" down anyone's throat. You want to cry first-amendment? Then the editor is also entitled to share his own opinions via the first amendment, or more specifically in this case, the site's guideline's for contributors which must allow them to include their political views in the material they submit to the site (because many of them do include said views, albeit subtly). On top of that, if contributors who hold to more left-wing views such as Yahzee and contributors who hold to more central views such as Bob Chipman (that's simply based on my observations of their submissions mind you) are allowed to contribute to the site, why not in all fairness shouldn't those with right-wing views be allowed to contribute? You're being hypocritical by slamming the editor of this article for his views yet attempting to hide behind the first amendment to avoid criticism yourself.

 

[Alar]

I hope he sues the hell out of the city after the charges get dismissed. Cops really do think they get to harass and harm anyone who embarrasses them.

And for you kiddies reading this please take 30 minutes of time and watch this video, it could save you YEARS of hardship later in life.

That's a bit frightening, but informative. Thank you.

 

[Credge]

$150 sent.

 

[brunothepig]

what does this have to do with video games? oh right nothing. im sorry but this is jsut the editor trying to force his own political views down the throats of the fans of this site. im opposed to the nra, and if i get so much as a warning for disagreeing with this article i know the escapist cares for the first amendment as much as the nra cares about reducing gun violance, none.

What? Do you not see all the things on this website that aren't gaming related? Hell, Moviebob's three weekly features are tangentially related to games at best. On the front page right now is an article about the Heavy Metal band GWAR, another about the British Government considering black listing porn, like the Australian government wanted to do... The mods just publish stuff that interested them, and they think may interest others.
Yeah, it's likely Pitts himself wrote up the story because it interested him, but it wasn't him "trying to force his... views" on us. At least, I didn't feel that way.
OT: If it is true that he wasn't breaking the law (and it certainly sounds that way, what with both him and his attorney's track records) then he'll get off. Pretty annoying he's going through all this though.

 

[sibrenfetter]

He might be a famous writer and all, but walking around with your guns in a public place makes you a retard in my opinion. I see no reason why he should not be sued.

 

[roostuf]

Hrmm...first Wikipedia now fucking novelists, when will the dictatorship end!

 

[PlasticTree]

I don't totally get it. Carrying a firearm is legal in the US, but carrying a firearm in City Hall can get you in jail for multiple years? Regardless of whether Rosenberg was allowed to, what is the reasoning behind all this? Why is carrying a firearm in a public place just as harmful as, say, robbing some banks or doing something else that actually involves aggression? Or am I missing something? Could someone please enlighten me?

Also Russ, I'd love to hear your arguments about your opinion on guns. I'm not condemning anything, nor am I planning to start a discussion about this, but I'd just like to hear what makes you (or other members of the NRA, for that matter) tick. As someone living outside the US I've always found it a mystery why Europe differs so drastically from the US when it comes to firearms.

 

[twm1709]

And he should know; in addition to being a fiction author, he's also the author of a number of non-fiction books, one of which is entitled Everything You Need to Know About (Legally) Carrying a Handgun in Minnesota.

I lol'd