Katrina Gun Confiscation

[Abby Normal]

I found this on Guns.com and thought it would be important for many here. I'm sure most of you know that the Police did take away Legal Guns from residents of N.O. after Katrina. Here's part one from Ben Philippi, the author of "We The People".

 

[MTregre]

Did a paper while at UNO on this "event". Still have all of my letters and email responses from various dept. and orgs. No one really wanted to take the fall for it. The SP were the first to respond and most direct claiming no SP took part in illegal confiscation. As did the NG, but there are/were videos to prove otherwise. When asked what they used to define "illegal" and if the Constitution had any part in it, the NG never responded back. The SP did however and stated that NO firearms were confiscated throughout the even that would not have been under normal circumstances. They submitted a report that outlined 13 confiscations, and records of 9 being delivered back to owners. A couple were for illegal concealment and the majority DUI/DWI traffic stops.

Now when I looked to NOPD I got the 250% run around. They wanted to refer me to Arkansas NG units and some contract search and rescue companies. never got any good info, names, or contacts from NOPD.
The state AG was also very short coming on info.
And I did not receive ANY form of reply from the 7 local Parish SOs that I contact with the exception of SCPD.

I remember the Oath Keepers (don't even recall if they are still around) compiling a list of people who said they had weapons taken by LEO and NG. They were leading the questioning of the powers that be.

 

[Magdump]

I heard a couple horror stories from people I knew as well. Learned a good lesson from the screwed up behavior of those LEO's involved.

 

[my-rifle]

This is a subject near and dear to my heart. After Katrina I did two things that are relevant to this subject. The first is that after I heard the story I went all over the city (I'd quit my job to research this.) asking peple about it. No one had experienced this "gun-grab" that I could find in the three months I searched. Since then I have never found a soul who claimed to have experinced it beyond the woman in the video and a couple dudes who said they were boating across Lake Pontchartrain when they were intercepted and all their guns confiscated. Bothe groups pf people are extremely political and both produced youtube videos. Frankly the heavily edited videos made me suspicious.

Afterward I worked for eight years for the Corps of Engineers talking to numerous officials AND citizens about their experiences during the aftermath and none could corroborate the "mass confiscations". This makes me wonder: Did the various police departments conspire among hundreds if not thousands of members to conceal the brutal truth? Or perhaps was this a rumor blown up to internet proportions? I suspect the latter given the complete lack of corroborating evidence.

As someone who was actually THERE during the immediate aftermath I can testify that aside from the teams who searched condemned buildings for firearms prior to their demolitions I have heard zero testimonials that corroborate the point of view given by the dude in the video. When I started I was looking for proof of their veracity. What I realized after years of research was that it probably didn't happen. I continue to have an open mind though. If you know anyone who had their guns confiscated from their home, please let me know. My investigation continues.

 

[Bigchillin83]

That's some bad stuff there, Gordon Hutchison is I great dude!!! I have taken 2 ccw permit class's with him, he knows his stuff and is a great instructor!!! I am surprised that no cops were shot by trying to disarming legal citizens in there own homes with firearms just trying to protect themselves and family!!!

 

[Hitman]

This is a subject near and dear to my heart. After Katrina I did two things that are relevant to this subject. The first is that after I heard the story I went all over the city (I'd quit my job to research this.) asking peple about it. No one had experienced this "gun-grab" that I could find in the three months I searched. Since then I have never found a soul who claimed to have experinced it beyond the woman in the video and a couple dudes who said they were boating across Lake Pontchartrain when they were intercepted and all their guns confiscated. Bothe groups pf people are extremely political and both produced youtube videos. Frankly the heavily edited videos made me suspicious.

Afterward I worked for eight years for the Corps of Engineers talking to numerous officials AND citizens about their experiences during the aftermath and none could corroborate the "mass confiscations". This makes me wonder: Did the various police departments conspire among hundreds if not thousands of members to conceal the brutal truth? Or perhaps was this a rumor blown up to internet proportions? I suspect the latter given the complete lack of corroborating evidence.

As someone who was actually THERE during the immediate aftermath I can testify that aside from the teams who searched condemned buildings for firearms prior to their demolitions I have heard zero testimonials that corroborate the point of view given by the dude in the video. When I started I was looking for proof of their veracity. What I realized after years of research was that it probably didn't happen. I continue to have an open mind though. If you know anyone who had their guns confiscated from their home, please let me know. My investigation continues.

Are you saying that 'Gun Confiscation' without a warrant, while people (were home) didn't happen,
besides the two examples you listed? (To which I'd agree)
or
that 'Gun Confiscation' without a warrant, of peoples firearms
while they were not home didn't happen?

It surely wasn't a rumor that the illegal confiscation indeed did occur.

The City released several hundred firearms that they had confiscated
after the NRA agreed to drop their cases upon the Cities compliance.

...and that's just the firearms that just (New Orleans) specifically cataloged.

I remember reading/seeing on the news about some owners who weren't able to get their own (passed down)firearms back,
b/c they could provide a bill of sale, a receipt or an affidavit with the weapon's serial number,
things that NOPD required in order to claim any gun as yours.
They were also running background checks on whoever came to claim a gun.

So I guess I'd have to know what 'Mass Confiscation' means to you.

Is there a certain number that (is) acceptable or something?

I was also wondering just how many people have you interviewed?
Considering NO population sits around 350,000+

 

[cajun 22]

My cousin was NG stationed at Belle Chase and escorted many S&R teams throughout the city in the aftermath. He said only one gun was confiscated from a guy hiding in a house they were searching for victims in. When they found out that he was not the resident they searched him and discovered a handgun. Perp claimed it was his, which they had no problem with, but he could not tell them the make, model, caliber, ect. They turned both him and the weapon in. Whenever they encountered someone in a home, they verified that they were legal to be there through ID and address, and never asked about guns. I'm sure it happened as my cousin said he heard about it alot but never encountered it first hand.

 

[Hitman]

My cousin was NG stationed at Belle Chase and escorted many S&R teams throughout the city in the aftermath. He said only one gun was confiscated from a guy hiding in a house they were searching for victims in. When they found out that he was not the resident they searched him and dicovered a handgun. Perp claimed it was his, which they had no problem with, but he could not tell them the make, model, caliber, ect. They turned both him and the weapon in. Whenever they encountered someone in a home, they verified that they were legal to be there through ID and address, and never asked about guns. I'm sure it happened as my cousin said he heard about it alot but never encountered it first hand.

I'm sure it was blown out of proportion, like most things.

But he did indeed say what he said on Live TV,
and (some) did obey his orders, to (some) degree.

It's not like the supposed 1,000 Firearms they had to release (after the fact)
just floated into the Police Station with the water.

It's pretty clear a LOT was learned from this event.
Sometimes that's what it takes.

I do however think most confiscated firearms were NOT from
the average Law Abiding Citizens who were in their homes at the time.
I don't believe that happen as portrayed in some of those documentaries.

 

[Emperor]

Are you saying that 'Gun Confiscation' without a warrant, while people (were home) didn't happen,
besides the two examples you listed? (To which I'd agree)
or
that 'Gun Confiscation' without a warrant, of peoples firearms
while they were not home didn't happen?

It surely wasn't a rumor that the illegal confiscation indeed did occur.

The City released several hundred firearms that they had confiscated
after the NRA agreed to drop their cases upon the Cities compliance.

...and that's just the firearms that just (New Orleans) specifically cataloged.

I remember reading/seeing on the news about some owners who weren't able to get their own (passed down)firearms back,
b/c they could provide a bill of sale, a receipt or an affidavit with the weapon's serial number,
things that NOPD required in order to claim any gun as yours.
They were also running background checks on whoever came to claim a gun.

So I guess I'd have to know what 'Mass Confiscation' means to you.

Is there a certain number that (is) acceptable or something?

I was also wondering just how many people have you interviewed?
Considering NO population sits around 350,000+

And, didn't we get the Castle Doctrine Law amended to prohibit gun confiscations in times of emergency here as a direct result of the Katrina confiscations?

 

[Magdump]

Well, we know what SOME Of them were doing after Katrina...

http://youtu.be/NmQW6xLECUU

 

[Paintball]

Guns Confiscated in New Orleans:

 

[Hitman]

Well, we know what SOME Of them were doing after Katrina...

http://youtu.be/NmQW6xLECUU

Oh Lawd...... lol that ain't right

 

[Nomad.2nd]

This is a subject near and dear to my heart. After Katrina I did two things that are relevant to this subject. The first is that after I heard the story I went all over the city (I'd quit my job to research this.) asking peple about it. No one had experienced this "gun-grab" that I could find in the three months I searched. Since then I have never found a soul who claimed to have experinced it beyond the woman in the video and a couple dudes who said they were boating across Lake Pontchartrain when they were intercepted and all their guns confiscated. Bothe groups pf people are extremely political and both produced youtube videos. Frankly the heavily edited videos made me suspicious.

Afterward I worked for eight years for the Corps of Engineers talking to numerous officials AND citizens about their experiences during the aftermath and none could corroborate the "mass confiscations". This makes me wonder: Did the various police departments conspire among hundreds if not thousands of members to conceal the brutal truth? Or perhaps was this a rumor blown up to internet proportions? I suspect the latter given the complete lack of corroborating evidence.

As someone who was actually THERE during the immediate aftermath I can testify that aside from the teams who searched condemned buildings for firearms prior to their demolitions I have heard zero testimonials that corroborate the point of view given by the dude in the video. When I started I was looking for proof of their veracity. What I realized after years of research was that it probably didn't happen. I continue to have an open mind though. If you know anyone who had their guns confiscated from their home, please let me know. My investigation continues.

How hard did you look?

I had a M1A scout, Kel Tec P32, and Springfield loaded stolen.
Got them back after 4 months and my CO getting involved.

 

[JR1572]

How hard did you look?

I had a M1A scout, Kel Tec P32, and Springfield loaded stolen.
Got them back after 4 months and my CO getting involved.

Who took your guns?

JR1572

 

[MTregre]

Correct the vast majority of the firearms taken were from unoccupied/damaged homes. The intent was to keep looters from having access to them. The largest problem was lack of documentation.

But as far as "blown out of proportion"... I think not. A SINGLE law abiding citizen being disarmed, especially when the need of the said firearm is at a heightened level, is crime.

The state did get a couple of good, or meh, laws passed. I've always fallen back on the fact that they were needed showed us the severity of the problem. People placed in positions of power over others and then placed under stress will always result is some sort of abuse. Not everyone will partake, but a few will. And in the case of LEOs (absolutely no offence intended) ONE deputy being challenged on limits of authority leads to numerous others arriving whom don't know anything but what the fellow deputy says, then the citizen is placed on the ground and gets a charge. This issue/problem is compounded when there are prolonged high stress events. Its just human nature.

 

[mike84z28]

I did not evacuate (road the storm out at work as essential personel) wore a shoulder harness with gun and extra mag (open carry) for 2 weeks after storm and traveled throughout New Orleans, Metairie, Westbank and Kenner. Encounted LEU and National gaurd many times and was never questioned or confronted about being armed. Not sure if my experience was the norm or not but I have talked with many inside Law enforcement and outside and none of those conversations ever included any confiscation.

 

[Nomad.2nd]

Who took your guns?

JR1572

A state trooper in NG uniform tried to steal them and keep them for himself.

 

[Emperor]

This knucklehead below is the one that told reporters he was enforcing martial law!


A remark that he later walked back from vehemently. When confronted with the question of where the notion of martial law came from, he crawfished and said no one ever gave that order. He is a lying sack of ****. It was him that concocted that crap; however it never was proven if he acted alone or was told to say that by this knucklehead below.


In the aftermath it WAS confirmed that NO such order to enforce martial law was EVER given by anyone with authority. There is audio of then superintendent Eddie Compass telling a reporter that martial law had been imposed.

Did he say that to cover all of the craziness that was being brought to light by the national media of his department and his personnel in the days after? It was a clear abuse of power regardless.

No one should ever forget Katrina! Not as a hurricane mind you, as a reminder of what it looks like when a city and governments descend into anarchy!

 

[JR1572]

A state trooper in NG uniform tried to steal them and keep them for himself.

That doesn't make any sense. What state was the trooper from?

JR1572

 

[madwabbit]

everytime I hear about this gun confiscation it was "they" and "them" that took guns from "people"

I've yet to hear one example of a lawfully armed citizen being illegally disarmed by authorities, or any declaration that it would be done. The friends and colleagues that were in NO for the storm have stories that are more along the lines of mike84's. I wasn't there, I don't know- but until credible sources are cited I'm of the belief that it didn't happen.


Were firearms seized from empty, damaged, or condemned buildings? probably.
Were firearms taken from citizens that were shooting at news choppers etc? probably.
Were firearms from above categories stolen or "misplaced" by authorities? probably.

Were any lawfully armed citizens disarmed (especially in their own homes) by a leo for the simple act of being armed? probably not.

I'll say it again for the e-gladiators: i dont know and I wasnt there. if it happened, its criminal and should be treated as such. I just have yet to see verifiable data to prove to me personally that it actually occurred