Innocent Victims of Gun Control: The veteran’s pregnant wife

Beth_FerrirzziI would like for you to meet Beth Ferrizzi of Fargo North Dakota.  She is an average American women who considers herself a law-abiding and even upstanding citizen. She is married to Air Force Master Sergeant Joe Ferrizzi and they are expecting their second child.

Joe, who is deployed to Honduras serving his country, was recently able to meet Beth and their 6 year old daughter in Pennsylvania for a family visit.  He also wanted to show her the Philadelphia neighborhood where he grew up.  It was to be a happy family reunion between a soldier and his girl.  What could be more American than that?

But now, she has an arrest record and is facing a felony charge that could imprison her for up to 15 years.

How could this happen in a supposedly ‘free’ country?

It is simple really.  Beth took her husband’s firearm with her when she flew to meet him. He has a North Dakota carry permit which is also recognized in Pennsylvania and he wanted to have it for personal protection while they were visiting.

However, her fatal decision was made when she booked her return flight from New York’s La Guardia Airport.

For those who haven’t figured it out yet, for all intents and purposes, you leave America when you enter New York.

Despite going out of her way to insure that she understood the complex process of legally transporting a firearm on a airplane, she ran afoul of New York’s soviet-style web of draconian gun laws and was arrested, handcuffed, separated from her 6 year old daughter, and kept overnight in a New York City jail before finally making her way back to Fargo.

And despite what I suspect is a burning desire to never again enter the state of New York, she is scheduled for a hearing on the case just about the time that her baby is due.

Surely this is a mistake?  “No” says Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown. Furthermore, Brown has no sympathy for Beth, or any other person who enters the gulag once known as New York expecting that the Constitution is still in effect.  His comment?

“For anyone who hasn’t gotten the message, let me be crystal clear. You cannot bring an unlicensed weapon – loaded or unloaded – into this county or this city. And if you do, you will be arrested and face felony charges … Unless you have a New York City license to carry, leave your gun at home.”

So when you next hear a Democrat claiming that no one wants to take away your guns or deprive you of the right to protect yourself … just think of the veteran’s pregnant wife and know it for the damnable lie that it is.

The ‘Innocent Victims of Gun Control‘ series of articles details the effects of gun control policies on law abiding citizens and exposes the lie that gun control is only aimed at criminals.

About John Pierce

Monachus Lex is written by Virginia attorney John Pierce. John is a life-long gun rights advocate, an NRA certified instructor and co-founder of the nationwide gun rights group OpenCarry.org.

He has an undergraduate degree in Computer Information Systems, an MBA from George Mason University and is a 2012 Honors Graduate of Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, MN.

Professionally, John is a member of the American Bar Association Second Amendment Civil Rights Litigation Subcommittee and his writings have been published by the ABA Civil Rights Litigation Committee and the ABA Minority Trial Lawyer Committee.

In addition, his open carry advocacy has been featured on Nightline and The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.
This entry was posted in Flying With a Firearm, FOPA, General Civil Rights, Innocent Victims of Gun Control, New York, Travel. Bookmark the permalink.

42 Responses to Innocent Victims of Gun Control: The veteran’s pregnant wife

  1. Grapeshot says:

    A travisty on all counts.

    The only justice in NY gun laws is the total injustice – no wonder that Lady Justice is blinded.

  2. Pingback: Innocent Victims of Gun Control: The veteran’s pregnant wife | OpenCarry.org

  3. Billo says:

    Hey John, why don’t you start a petition that we can all sign? If the other side can do it than so can we!

  4. Joe Owens says:

    One thought….. The Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms shall NOT BE INFRINGED! needs to be the Standard NATIONWIDE and ANY law, regulation, ordinance, or rule that in ANY way does INFRINGE needs to be declared to be UNCONSTITUTIONAL as it IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

  5. Chris Woodard says:

    This is an ongoing saga. One we have heard many times in the past.

    While I would imagine many here know the risks of traveling in NY with firearms, I would also imagine just as many here don’t have a clue.

    It doesn’t matter how hard we try, there will always be some innocent who gets caught in the NY trap. Sad……but it will continue to happen.

  6. Pingback: Innocent Victims of Gun Control: The welterweight champion | Monachus Lex

  7. Edwin T. Lee says:

    She was taking the pistol from a state where its possession was legal to and from a state where possession was legal. It was unloaded and in a locked container. Federal Law preempts state law. She has a serious civil rights lawsuit, and looks to be a good plaintiff. Too bad we don’t have a U.S. Attorney in New York City.

    • John Pierce says:

      Edwin,

      Unfortunately, the other element of FOPA is that it be an uninterrupted journey and she admitted to stopping in New York to visit a friend. 🙁

      John

      • Ty says:

        What is the definition of “uninterrupted”? I am sure that has NOTHING to do with stopping to visit a friend, or doing whatever else you please as you travel FREELY across this country. I believe uninterrupted means that you may not remove yourself of possession of the firearm, specifically meaning to willingly relinquish possession to an alternate party/person, except that is required by law to do so (such as placing possession into the authority of airport, solely to safely transport the firearm). Uninterrupted could not possibly mean to only be able to go from one location to another, and not being allowed to travel anywhere else without going all the way home to “reset” the uninterruptible travel. Citizens have the right to freely move about the country, without having the police seize our property and then make the false claim that we are somehow the criminal. This is nothing less than police abusing their authority in order to STEAL property from a citizen who has done nothing wrong.

  8. Grapeshot says:

    Then to me the question is did she leave the gun secured with the air carrier to be checked through on her departing flight or did she take posession of it?

    The devil is in the details.

  9. Sosalty SoSauty says:

    New York State rapes a young mother.

  10. I fly transatlantic several times a year & no matter how good the deal, I will NEVER fly through NY or Chicago because doing so would put some of my $ in their coffers.
    They can take their unconstitutional absolutism, stick it up their arse & ignite it.

    I say this as a Brit.

    • Ty says:

      You say it as a Brit, but your heart is that of a FREEDOM-loving person. I truly feel bad for any country that has stripped the rights and power of the people, that a government is SUPPOSED to be protecting. In Britain, the government has given psychiatrists the authority to remove a person from their home and place them into mental institutions…and it only requires ONE psychiatrist to say so, and the British gestapo will show up and physically remove you from your home, lock you into a psych ward, drug you with anything they choose, and there is not a thing anybody in Britain can do to save you…because you have no power, you have no weapons, you have no say. An example of this is what happened to Sophia Mirza; She ended up DYING in the government sanctioned psych ward months after her psychiatrist ordered her removed from her mother’s house (literally being dragged across the ground while screaming, being thrown into a van). Her mother was able to “visit” her in the hospital before she died, and was horrified what was happening, because she was so drugged up. Yet, nobody could do anything…because the government has all the guns and all the power, and no civilian can utter a word, lest they end up being labelled a criminal, or worse! NEVER lose your right for the common citizen to own firearms…it is literally your ONLY defense against a rouge government.

  11. Pingback: Innocent Victims of New York Gun Control: The veteran’s pregnant wife | New York City Guns

  12. NY is only proving that anti-gun laws such as a few of the states have recently enacted WILL lead to confiscation. Hopefully our citzens’ fear will now be vindicated and the anti-gun senators in D.C. will have a rougher time debateing the expanded background check law they want passed.

  13. Pingback: Moonbattery » Travel Advisory

  14. There is a federal mandate that allows carry while traceling from one location where it is legal to another location where it is legal, see below, but it seems New York ignores this fact and forces you to go to court, this her defense attorney should not the federal rules below to help her with her case. New York is the most backwards place you will ever go.

    Airport Carry:
    No Laws found. NYC is known to arrest anyone with a firearm traveling through the New York Airports. Even trying to board an airplane with a properly cased and declared firearm can get you arrested. See “Letter” from the United States Attorney General on the application of United States Code Title 18 – Part I – Chapter 44 § 926A. on the Interstate transportation of firearms. This should be straightened out but never forget they can arrest you any time and give you your day in court.

  15. Timothy Sayers says:

    Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown:
    “For anyone who hasn’t gotten the message, let me be crystal clear. You cannot bring an unlicensed weapon – loaded or unloaded – into this county or this city. And if you do, you will be arrested and face felony charges … Unless you have a New York City license to carry, leave your gun at home.”

    An “unlicensed weapon.” It is my understanding that non-residents of NY cannot register a weapon in NY. So, there-in lies part of the “trap.”

    • Grapeshot says:

      That may be the way this is addressed by those that wish to make you “pay for the ride”, but that is NOT the way the law(s) read. Even antis shall be caused to obey the law…..or pay the price.

  16. Former NYC Peace Officer says:

    I used to be a Peace Officer in NYC and even I wasn’t armed despite the fact that 2 officers were shot and killed, several others had been shot at also including myself, making several illegal firearm arrests annually and a high firearm crime rate. That’s why I moved out of NY. That place sucks I grew up there and I will never go back (only to visit family).

  17. Jim Segunis says:

    This is what the PPL of NY want let them have these laws. The problem is not letting the states decide, but when these PPL move to your state and tey and change the laws. Everywhere PPL from NY, NJ, MA, IL & CA go they try their best to ruin things. If they move to your state shun them like lepers!

    • SteveInCO says:

      Letting states decide how to do things is all well and good.

      Until they decide they want to violate a fundamental right. No government should be allowed to do so, and they shouldn’t be allowed to yell “states rights” or “federalism” when called on it. Government is supposed to protect your rights (in fact that is its only legitimate purpose), not violate them wholesale.

  18. G Salazar says:

    I find it odd that California, Illinois, and New York which are arguably the strictest states when it comes to gun control yet Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City have some of the highest gun related crimes. All the New York district attorneys must be giving eachother high fives for catching a pregnant law abiding citizen and for preventing gun violence within their city limits. Oh wait no they’re ^&%&*^ing not.

    • Grapeshot says:

      Please maintain the high road with comments, particularly verbiage.

      • Firearms Safety says:

        Of course I agree that New York is draconian in its gun laws.
        However I also fail to see how someone can make a comment
        without verbiage!?

    • zFashionizta says:

      Some states or maybe most states have rules about carrying or traveling with weapons. How are people supposed to know that the one walking around carrying weapons is not crazy like those who have gone around on shooting rampages?
      Why spare the “pregnant” woman? Just because she’s pregnant doesn’t mean that she’s not possibly mentally ill or a criminal. If you feel so unsafe leaving home without carrying a weapon maybe you should just stay home.

      • Zack Faire says:

        You sir pose a silly solution to a silly way of thinking. I commend you if you were using sarcasm. However, please remember in due process of law you are treated innocent until proven guilty. Nobody should be arbitrarily judged guilty on suspicion of being a criminal. If that were the case everywhere justice would be incredibly inefficient and anyone could put YOU in jail by calling you a criminal or “possibly mentally ill.” Please read “The Scarlet letter” for further demonstrations. Also, most people cannot honestly survive without leaving their homes to forage for food, or scavenge resources procured from grocery stores or your common fast food joint. Please before you advise a solution, try it yourself.

  19. Bruce Coolbeth says:

    I plan to move to South Carolina and living ct going to be tough bring them in my truck just got to take my chances i guess. Hopefully i will not get stopped.

  20. Nat says:

    I used to live in Brooklyn… It is funny that gang members were shooting and killing people. I guess they have their own LTC Class A to Z because they do not care. I saw people murdered right in front of my house. Other guys shooting at cars for revenge.
    Then, tax paying, working citizens, those that provide the money for jails, court houses and serve as “excuse” for the great city of NY… Can not get a permit, a LTC or have the at home.
    It is sad how the system protects the gangsters and hurts our confidence. And we keep voting. I’m out in MA… Hunting, carrying and safe.

  21. arnie borreson says:

    I do believe that people should be able to carry a firearm exposed and loaded if they feel threated by the troubling problems and violence we are forced to live with. People who carry have a high degree of responsibility to use this right and responsibly or it will be attacked by the law givers. I have been debating the idea to carry especially when I travel to more populated areas. I believe it is a deterent but it is also alarming to a segment of the population. There must be a balance someplace.

  22. David Mason says:

    Ch***t on a crutch! No harm, no foul. IMHO NYC has valid reasons to discourage firearms, but this prosecutorial overreach doesn’t help their cause one bit. A DA with common sense would simply have declined to prosecute.

  23. Marshall says:

    No valid reasons for allowing criminals to have guns

    But limiting law abiding citizens from having one to protect themselves and family.

    There is never a valid reason to deny someone of their constitutional rights to protect themselves

    • Zack Faire says:

      Agreed!

    • Lisa says:

      Marshall said,
      “No valid reasons for allowing criminals to have guns.
      But limiting law abiding citizens from having one to protect themselves and family.
      There is never a valid reason to deny someone of their constitutional rights to protect themselves”

      You contradicted yourself. If there is never a valid reason to deny someone their Constitutional right to protect themselves – which I agree with – how do you justify saying no criminals can have a gun? If all it takes to deny the right to keep and bear arms is to be defined as a criminal then those opposed to individual ownership of guns only have to continue to create legislation that will define every citizen that way to win. It’s already said that everyone commits four felonies a day without even knowing it because of the way they continually write laws. So, if that is the case, pretty much everyone is a criminal, we just don’t know it and haven’t been caught. With the militarization of the police, they’ll get there soon.

      Remember, every single person who fought for independence in the Revolution were considered treasonous criminals by the standing government of the day. The first shot “heard round the world” was in response to that standing government attempting to disarm its citizens. They tried to do it directly, by sending in the military to remove the weapons and ammo. Those opposed to the individual right to keep and bear arms today have learned that it can be done, without any hew and cry from the public, if they just define individual citizens as criminals, mentally unstable, etc. The rest will see such actions as “common sense” gun control laws and not only NOT fight against it, but be happy and willing to work with those working to usurp the RIGHT to keep and bear arms.

      A RIGHT is something God given. Government doesn’t have the authority to violate RIGHTS. Government’s purpose, “governments are instituted among men” to protect rights. You can’t redefine an individual in a way that they lose their God given RIGHTS. If that were possible, they wouldn’t be RIGHTS, they would be privileges.

  24. Diane says:

    I grew up with guns. Always hunting or shooting critters getting in the livestock. Have always carried a pistol in my car or my purse. Traveled all over the U.S. And even parts of Canada with a loaded, cocked pistol under my truck/car seat. I open carry on occasion around the farm. Especially early spring when my animals are birthing.
    Always thought of my guns like a tool I need. Then, I went and got me a concealed carry permit. Who would have thought there was so much bs to carrying a gun. One more thing….
    Who’d want to go to New York City anyway??

    • Zack Faire says:

      New York City is in America and sort of the face of America from a broad international perspective. Remember the 911 bombings on the World Trade Center? The entire world was watching and saw America wounded. With all of the anti gun rallies from an event that took place thirteen years ago, it appears America had a snake bite and is slowly dieing of an infection that is turning the once land of the free, and home of the brave, to the land of State and Federal control through gun control, and home of the cowards.

Leave a Reply to Jim Segunis Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *