A 22-year-old member of the Oklahoma National Guard deployed to Washington, D.C. as part of President Trump’s crime-fighting campaign is now facing charges of his own after he was arrested for carrying an “unauthorized” firearm.
The Associated Press reports Spec. Jakob Noonan was arrested last Monday after a handgun was discovered during a traffic stop by U.S. Park Police.
The U.S. Park Police said in an emailed statement that the officer observed an empty holster in the rear of the vehicle and asked if there was a firearm inside and Noonan confirmed there was. Noonan was off duty, not in uniform and driving his personal vehicle at the time, the statement said.
It’s unclear whether Noonan carries a gun while he’s on duty in Washington, D.C., but from a legal perspective it’s also irrelevant. In order for him to lawfully have a gun in his vehicle (at least one that’s not locked up, unloaded, and inaccessible), Noonan needs a D.C. carry permit.
In a statement to Task & Purpose Saturday afternoon, a Joint Task Force-District of Columbia spokesperson said that the task force was aware of the arrest of a service member assigned to it.“
JTF-DC service members are expected to maintain high standards of professionalism and conduct at all times. This matter will be addressed in accordance with established policies and procedures,” the spokesperson said, directing questions to the Metropolitan Police Department.
Noonan’s reason for being in Washington, D.C. might not matter in a court of law, but the court of public opinion should be a very different matter. The 22-year-old can lawfully carry without a permit in his home state, and can legally carry a handgun or a service rifle while he’s on the clock in the District. Why, then, should he be facing felony charges for possessing a gun off duty? Does he suddenly become untrustworthy or a danger to himself or others when his workday is over?
I don’t even think federal prosecutors would make that argument. In fact, I wonder if U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro will even prosecute Noonan for his “crime,” or if she’ll refuse to bring formal charges against him. Pirro has previously said she wouldn’t prosecute D.C. residents for openly carrying rifles or violating the District’s ban on “large capacity” magazines, but back in February she also said ““You bring a gun into this district, you mark my words, you’re going to jail.”
I was very critical of her comments at the time, and Noonan’s case is a perfect example of why so many gun owners had a problem with them. Pirro’s put herself in a bit of a pickle here. Under D.C. law, Noonan could face up to five years in prison for having his personal sidearm with him in his vehicle, even though he can lawfully carry it in Oklahoma and can lawfully carry a gun when he’s on duty in D.C.
Prosecuting Noonan under those circumstances seems unjust to me, but Pirro’s made it pretty clear that she thinks the Guardsman should be incarcerated for his “crime.”
If she does go after Noonan, Second Amendment supporters are going to raise a stink. If she doesn’t prosecute him, her critics on the left will accuse her of a legal double standard.
I know what I think Pirro should do, but I have no idea what she will do. If she does end up prosecuting Noonan, though, I hope his attorneys will raise a Second Amendment defense and challenge D.C.’s carry laws; specifically, the statute that requires non-residents to obtain a D.C. carry license even if they can lawfully carry in the state where they live.
Editor’s Note: The radical Left will stop at nothing to enact their extreme gun control agenda and strip us of our Second Amendment rights.
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