West Hempstead Man Pulls Gun on Firefighter Asking for Donations

[Sherm66]

I'd be grumpy too if my last name had "semen" in it. And how do you charge someone of "possession of a weapon" when they have a pistol permit?



http://patch.com/new-york/malverne-l...is-door-police


WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY – A 65-year-old West Hempstead man was arrested after he pulled a gun on a local firefighter who was taking part in the Franklin Square and Munson Fire Department's annual door-to-door solicitation for donations on Tuesday night, Nassau Police said.

Carl Semencic is charged with second degree menacing and possession of a dangerous weapon.

According to police, a volunteer firefighter knocked on the door of Semencic's Dogwood Avenue home around 8:30 p.m. Semencic came to the door holding a black handgun in his left hand and exited the home, police said.

He then tapped on the front glass door with the gun, pointing to a sign that read “DO NOT KNOCK, NO PEDDLERS” and told the volunteer to “go away," police said.

The firefighter backed away and notified police. Responding officers spoke with Semencic and subsequently placed him under arrest without incident, police said.

[Shamuscull]

You charge posession of a weapon when the firearm is used in a crime. He was charged with menacing. Was not there do not know any details

[RumRunner]

What exactly did he do wrong? Is it the fact that he "exited the home" while holding the gun? Please don't tell me it is illegal to answer your door while possessing a firearm.

Does not having a license reclassify the pistol as a dangerous weapon?

[gripper 2.0]

his desk appearance ticket will probably cost him more than a $ 52- donation ( $ 1- wk )

[Shamuscull]

could have said no thank you or get lost.

[mossy930spx]

Tapping on the glass with the firearm is not proper form.

[TTSkipper]

https://toh.li/news/1244-murray-launches-do-not-knock-program-door-decals-tougher-laws-to-protect-homeowners-from-annoying-disruptions-at-home

I don't care who you are, if someone has one of these signs and if you knock on the door you deserve a kick in the nuts.

[Shamuscull]

https://toh.li/news/1244-murray-laun...ptions-at-home
I don't care who you are, if someone has one of these signs and if you knock on the door you deserve a kick in the nuts.

i agree with the kick in the nuts

[Barnslayer]

A holstered pistol on his belt would have sufficed.

[Grifhunter]

First off, someone defying the do not knock sign can be presumed to be up to no good. Having a gun in your hand, on your steps, is in no way menacing. Using it to point to a sign, isn't either. Take a verdict.

[Shamuscull]

Pointing at a sign with a firearm is pretty stupid if you actually think the person is up to no good. Horrible tactics if you feel a threat. If you are just being an asshole because you feel the person disobeying your sign is an asshole then you may stand the chance of getting arrested depending on how the person making the report articulated the incident

[ChiefSailer]

would it be considered "Brandishing"?

[Grifhunter]

Pointing at a sign with a firearm is pretty stupid if you actually think the person is up to no good. Horrible tactics if you feel a threat. If you are just being an asshole because you feel the person disobeying your sign is an asshole then you may stand the chance of getting arrested depending on how the person making the report articulated the incident

Being an asshole isn't a crime. The soliciter was under the circumstances as much of a threat until he's vetted out.
If he pointed the pistol at the soliciting jerk, thats one thing, but it isn't so stated in the article, thus no threat, no menace. The stupid menacing statute is unconstitutionally vague, but thats another thing. You are wrong if you "display" a gun in the presence of a stranger and he subjectively feels threatened? Nah.

[Shamuscull]

Being an asshole isn't a crime. The soliciter was under the circumstances as much of a threat until he's vetted out.
If he pointed the pistol at the soliciting jerk, thats one thing, but it isn't so stated in the article, thus no threat, no menace. The stupid menacing statute is unconstitutionally vague, but thats another thing. You are wrong if you "display" a gun in the presence of a stranger and he subjectively feels threatened? Nah.

Well the only people that know what happened are the homeowner and the guy looking for donations. Pointing at a sign? Maybe the sign was behind the solicitor's head. Haha can't rely on media to get it right and homeowner will have his day in court. It is unfortunate that this ever happened.

[Safety42]

If I lived in that neighborhood and someone knocked on my door at 8:30 I would get my gun also. Its bed time and I will be tired and grouchy (as I assume he was). I don't feel this is menacing its more like home security