What do YOU think about Puffy's alleged gun possession in NYC?

T

Tortuga

New member
For those of you that don't know, rapper Sean "Puffy" Combs has been charged with several gun possession violations and for bribing a witness for $50,000. A jury has been selected and his trial starts today. It's expected to run four to five weeks. Today's article can be found at http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010129/en/puffy_combs_1.html.

An excellent chart detailing the charges against him, his friend, and his bodyguard can be found at http://www.sonicnet.com/pop/Charts/combstrial.jhtml. In a worst-case scenario, I believe he faces up to 37 years in prison.

Keep in mind that the news articles that appeared right after he was arrested stated that the guns in their possession and the one thrown out the window during the police chase were all reported stolen, none of them were registered (as all handguns in New York State are required to be), none of them had concealed carry permits, and at least one was loaded.

I'm curious what TFL'ers think about this case in terms of the gun possession charges. (I'm not talking about the shooting that took place earlier or the fact that the guns were reported stolen. I'm talking specifically about being arrested for gun possession.)

On one hand, they broke the law. They were in possession of loaded, stolen, unregistered handguns and had no permits to carry them.

On the other hand, aren't the gun possession charges in violation of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Section Four of the New York State Civil Rights Law (which reads, "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms cannot be infringed" of which the only difference between it and the Second Amendment is that "shall not" is replaced by "cannot")?

How do you feel about Puffy being put to trial? Is this due process or a gross violation of the Constitution and the state's civil rights law?
 
Referring to the chart link of the charges:


Charge
What It Means
Possible Sentence If Convicted




1
Criminal possession of a weapon in the
second degree (two counts)
Combs is accused of possessing a loaded gun
with intent to use it against another person.
5 and a half to 15 years on each count




2
Criminal possession of a weapon in the
third degree (two counts)
Combs is accused of possessing a loaded gun
outside of his home or his place of business.
1 to 7 years on each count, but would have
to run concurrently with any sentence on the
second degree possession charges




3
Bribing a witness
Combs is accused of trying to give money and
jewelry to a witness in an effort to influence
testimony.
0 to 7 years


#1 and #3 seem legitimate...we can't ignore the fact that there indeed was a shooting. #2 is bogus and illustrates your Constitutional concerns
 
I've been keenly awaiting this trial... if it wasn't for the felonious behaviour of Puffy, other than the gun charges, it would seem to be a great case; lots of money and publicity.

The drawback (as is always) is that we're looking at the necessity of supporting a criminal.

It will be very interesting to see the direction Puffy and his lawyers go with this one.

I doubt there is a jury in NYC that would convict him.

:rolleyes:
 
Your talking about New York City, where there is no "right" to bear arms only a privilege granted by the police force after one demonstrates a "need". As far as "Puffy" is concerned he is innocent till proven guilty(ya,sure). The gun came from somewhere and the DA has to pin its possession on someone. Why not a famous rapper. It's good publicity for the DA's office. If you or I had been caught with the piece nobody would hear about it, we would be sitting in Riker's Island.
 
Dosen't bother me, he has a right to defend himself as much as anyone else whether or not the god the .gov thinks so. It is the stolen part I have a problems with.
 
Don't hold your breath on this one!

Listening to the radio today on the way to work, they interviewed Puffy's attorney....None other than Johnnie Cochran.

Don't be surprised when the race card is played and we "really" find out that it was "cops-gone-bad" and others involved who conspired to make an example out of a poor down and out kid from the ghetto who was just minding his own business. Actually pick any number of off-the -wall scenarios and that will be their defense.

God save the country!
 
As was posted #1 and #3 sound somewhat legit.

I really couldn't care less what happens, as long as Jennifer Lopez leaves him. Draw your own conclusions. ;)

TR
 
Imagine that....

You can e-mail Johnnie here:

askjohnniecochran@bet.com

http://www.bet.com/HEADLINES/0,,C-1-55-46344,00.html

Looks like only part of the link turns blue. You'll have to cut and past the whole line from http to html... The commas screw up the link display.

If you think you can convince him to challenge the constitutionality of the NYS gun laws.

Imagine the NRA supporting "Puffy"!

:D
 
His only hope is that he's a convicted felon. Then none of the gun charges work since they are a violation of his 5th admendments rights.

Otherwise his goose is cooked. The Sullivan law of 1911 is pure bigotry. He's black and therefore extremely guilty of NYC gun laws.

Of course all these laws are in violation of NY's civil rights law that is a copy of the 2nd amendment. But that doesn't they cannot be so confusing that no one can figure them out in the meantime.
 
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