Dear Editor:
Ryan Jerome was enjoying his first trip to New York City on business when the former Marine Corps gunner walked up to a security officer at the Empire State Building and asked where he should check his gun. The security officer called police and Jerome spent the next two days in jail.
The 28-year-old with no criminal history now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of three and a half years in prison. Jerome has a valid concealed carry permit in Indiana and visited New York believing that it was legal to bring his firearm. He was traveling with $15,000 worth of jewelry that he planned to sell.”
Residents of Queens County are fortunate enough to have a district attorney who supported the establishment of a veterans’ court and approaches his sworn duty with common sense and the courage to exercise the “reasonable person standard” regardless of political consequences.
District Attorney Richard A. Brown of Queens County recently resolved a similar case with a disorderly conduct charge. The Queens Council Veterans of Foreign Wars respectfully request that the New York District Attorney follow D.A. Brown’s example of common sense public service and lesson the charge to disorderly conduct which would allow Ryan to seek an adjournment in contemplation of a dismissal.
It is unconscionable that this city would allow this young Marine to be criminalized because he mistakenly thought his Second Amendment Rights would apply to New York City. Rights that are God given and enumerated in the Constitution. Rights which are the Supreme Law of the Land. But more importantly Rights he fought to protect and defend against all enemies foreign and domestic, when 99 percent of his fel- low countrymen turned their backs and refused to serve.
Again we ask that the New York District Attorney lessen the charge to Disorderly Conduct.
Marvin R. Jeffcoat
Adjutant, Past County Commander Queens County Council Veterans of Foreign Wars Woodside
