Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Another Light Sentence For Someone With Illegal Guns In NYC


By

Garth Johnston

Published Jul 11, 2012

Modified Jul 11, 2012


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

val lawless / Shutterstock

 


By

Garth Johnston

Published Jul 11, 2012

Modified Jul 11, 2012


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Remember Fred Vankirk? Back in February the 59-year-old Ohio accountant was arrested after he tried to hug some hotel room service waitresses at the Radisson Hotel on Lexington Avenue—which was especially freaky for them because of the guns they could clearly see lying on his bed. Guns which it turned out were registered in Ohio, and not in New York. Well, yesterday Vankirk was sentenced to six months in jail for those firearms—but he'll probably be out in a matter of days.

Since Vankirk has been in jail since being arrested (he couldn't make bail) his lawyer suspects he should be back out soon. Vankirk—who was facing up to three and a half years in jail for having guns which weren't registered in New York—got a lightened sentence on a technicality. Basically his lawyer pointed out that Vankirk had been living at the hotel "and the state's tough gun possession law makes allowance for guns held in a person's residence."

This is certainly not the first time that Bloomberg's beloved tough gun laws have been skirted by a Midwestern tourist. At least he got some jail time.

Tagged

fred vankirk

gun laws

guns

ohio

radisson hotel

room service


Garth Johnston

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC

The DSA's NYC chapter accused the NYPD of collaborating with ICE and demanded Mayor Mamdani hold Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responsible.

By

Elizabeth Kim

,

Brigid Bergin

and

Ben Feuerherd

Published Oct 9, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET


Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash

When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.

By

Kaya Laterman

News

Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash

When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.

By

Kaya Laterman


NY will opt in Trump’s school choice program, Hochul says

By

Jon Campbell

Residents, lawmakers warned for months of potential for deadly ICE activity in Marble Hill

By

David Brand

Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione

By

Samantha Max


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .