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N.C. Resident Arrested For Stashing Loaded Gun In Lower Manhattan Hotel Chair
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 23, 2013
Modified Apr 23, 2013
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 23, 2013
Modified Apr 23, 2013
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The man who hid a loaded gun in the chair of a lower Manhattan hotel has finally been caught! And it turns out he was indeed from the South: Bobby Jackson, 59, of Fayetteville, North Carolina has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment.
Apparently Jackson stashed his gun at the World Center Hotel near the 9/11 Memorial because guns aren't allowed at the Memorial. A relative told City Room that he put the gun there because he wanted to get back to his tour group, "He’s not perfect by any means, but he’s a good man. He’s a God-fearing man. If what had happened there had happened here, and it hadn’t been times like now, everything would be O.K., because everybody would know him." Yeah, because leaving loaded guns in public places is totally cool in the South!
According to City Room, "Mr. Jackson owns a pressure-washing business in Fayetteville and does security work, which is why he owns a pistol, said the relative, who asked to remain anonymous." When the NYPD investigated the incident, Jackson allegedly asked 9/11 Memorial staff if cops or off-duty cops could bring their guns (no).
Jackson didn't have a permit to carry a gun in New York—hence the criminal possession of weapon charge—which suggests cops are being pretty consistent in arresting tourists who bring guns to New York. Anyway, Jackson's relative told City Room, "He thought that whoever found it, they would contact him and want a reward. He is not a crook." Seriously? Did his gun has his name and phone number on it?
Tagged
9/11 memorial
bobby jackson
gun
idiot
Loaded Gun
North Carolina
stupid
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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