Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Religious Protesters of Gun Store Acquitted

In Philadelphia (PA), a municipal court judge has acquitted 12 religious activists on trespass and disorderly conduct charges. AP reported yesterday that the protesters were arrested after they refused to leave Colosimo's Gun Center and blocked the store entrance sidewalk outside. The judge said prosecutors had failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

UPDATE: The Centre Daily Times has a more extensive report on yesterday's acquittals. Defendants, including several ministers, were part of a group called Heeding God's Call, which is attempting to involve faith groups in the gun-control movement. It chose Colosimo's for its protest because of its record for selling guns later used in crimes.

UPDATE2: A Philadelphia Inquirer columnist on Wednesday published a lengthy account of the activities of the anti-gun violence group, the record of the gun store chosen and the arguments made by the defense at trial.