Florida cops use secret files on bikers to lobby against gun law

[HootmonSccy]

From: AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE: NCOM Biker Newsbytes SEPT 2011

FLORIDA COPS USE SECRET FILES ON BIKERS TO LOBBY AGAINST GUN LAW

Florida law-enforcement officials dipped into secret intelligence files to lobby against legislation that would have allowed holders of concealed-weapons permits to carry their guns openly. Newly released records show that a staff lobbyist for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office handed out restricted photos of bikers with valid concealed weapons permits to lawmakers as examples of the sort of people who might scare away tourists if they displayed their pistols.



"I actually stopped by every one of you guy's office this morning and dropped off … photographs of some biker outlaw gang guys that have concealed firearm permits. Those are the ones we're worried about carrying," sheriff's Capt. Mike Fewless told the state Senate Judiciary Committee on April 12, 2011. "Please defeat this terrible bill."



After the provision allowing open carry of firearms was removed from the bill, the state Senate voted against the measure, prompting accusations of fear-mongering by law-enforcement officials and raising concerns about police misuse of confidential files for political goals.



All together, Fewless obtained photographs and other information for 17 "outlaw bikers" from the Orange sheriff’s Intelligence Squad, an undercover unit that investigates "motorcycle gangs, white supremacy groups and organized crime,” specifically asking for pictures of "One Percenters", state attorney's records show. Seven of the eight photos of members of the Mongols, Outcasts, Outlaws, Pagans and Warlocks motorcycle clubs came originally from the state Driver and Vehicle Identification (DAVID) system, which Federal law classifies as “highly restricted personal information." None of the bikers had felony records and all were eligible for concealed-weapon permits recognized by Florida and 34 other states.



The motorcyclists are now represented by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) Attorney Jerry Theophilopoulos, who said he is planning to file a lawsuit against the sheriff’s office. "The only way to police the police when they break the law is to file a lawsuit, and we are prepared to get justice for all concealed weapon permit holders in this state," according to “Jerry T”, who serves as legal counsel for the Confederations of Clubs in Florida and advises ABATE of Florida on legal matters.


QUOTABLE QUOTE: “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people; it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.”
Patrick Henry (1736-1799) American Patriot and Founding Father

[S&W645]

I wish them luck in the suit.

[TooCalm]

I hope they win their case. The troubling part about all of this is that's how politics works.

[Cotillion]

These guys are legal, gangsters or not. Should they need their firearms in self defense they deserve the same rights we do. You might say that these guys will find themselves in bad situations more than the average ccw, however given the fact that they've yet to receive a felony and its not our place to judge how anyone lives their life, I hope they win the lawsuit.

[RRobaldo]

The silliest part to me is that by Sheriff "Lawless" own admission these guys ALREADY have a license to carry!

There is NOTHING in the new law would have changed their ability to carry, only that they could carry "openly" instead of CONCEALED!

Isn't that why the Sheriffs all protested the CCW in '87? So that bad guys couldn't CONCEAL?

Now, apparently "Lawless" wants those "bad" motorcycle gangsters (who apparently have perfectly clean records) to keep them concealed!

[G50AE]

More reason why gunowners and bikers need to team up to protect their comman interests.

[Aduc]

So they are legally allowed to carry... but we don't want to let them? Sure, that makes a lot of sense.

[festus]

there is a reason that the CCW permit in Florida is regulated by the dept of Ag.
the law enforcement officials have the ability to access the database for legitimate investigations...but they clearly abused the system according to the letter of the law

[tuts40]

We need to get Jax involved, maybe Tig and some of the others as well!