Thursday, May 31, 2012

HUH? "Possession of weapons of mass destruction"?

Automatic weapons now classified as WMDs?
WAYNE COUNTY (WTVD) -- Three men are charged with stealing fully-automatic machine guns from a Wayne County gun shop.
Deputies were called to a break-in at WT's Gun Shop on Centura Drive in Goldsboro May 14. More than $70,000 worth of weapons were taken, including 10 handguns and two fully-automatic .45 caliber machine guns.
Following an investigation by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, the Mount Olive Police Department, Goldsboro police, and the ATF, Kevin Dejuan Walters, 23, Quandre Roshawn Weeks, 20, and Benjamin James Carraway, 24, were arrested.
The men face a host of charges that include possession of stolen firearms and possession of weapons of mass destruction.
By that standard, Dubya was right about Saddam Hussein's WMD program.

12 comments:

Sean D Sorrentino said...

Yep, NC law is a bit strange. Weapons of Mass Death and Destruction is the actual term. It includes everything from bombs to firearm silencers.

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_14/gs_14-288.8.html

This particular case had the usual suspects doing the crime.

http://ncguns.blogspot.com/2012/05/you-picked-wrong-thing-to-steal.html

Two felons and a multiple misdemeanant. I suspect that they'll get a slap on the wrist.

Roger J said...

Yes, in NC full auto firearms are classified as WMD under G.S. 14-288.8 Here is the complete list:
1. bombs of all sorts;
2. grenades;
3. rockets having a propellant charge of more than four (4)
ounces;
4. a missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter (1/4) ounce;
5. mines;
6. any type of weapon (other than a shotgun or a shotgun shell of a type particularly suitable for sporting purposes) which will expel a projectile using an explosive, or other propellant, and which has a barrel with a bore
of more than one-half (1/2) inch in diameter;
7. any firearm capable of fully automatic fire;
8. any shotgun with a barrel length less than eighteen (18) inches or an overall length of less than twenty-six (26) inches;
9. a rifle with a barrel length of less than sixteen (16) inches or an overall length of less than twenty-six (26) inches;
10. any muffler or silencer for any firearm, whether or not such firearm is included within this definition; and
11. any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting a device into any weapon described above, and from which a weapon of mass death and destruction may readily be assembled.

Anonymous said...

A sawed off shotgun and fully automatic gun are both classified as weapons of mass destruction by NC law. It has ben that way for over 20 years.

Anonymous said...

Guess Bush didn't lie then since machine guns are automatic weapons, therefore Saddam had WMD's simple.

Anonymous said...

Various over-reaching laws (such as PATRIOT ACT I and II) have re-classed such items as unregistered MGs and even prop/fake bombs as WMDs.

Anonymous said...

Well, only if you posses them. If they're in the hands of law enforcement personnel;regardless of flavor, stripe,jurisdiction or affiliation;they're merely tools of the trade.

Anonymous said...

What's kind of scary about the "possession of weapons of mass destruction" charge is that it's a PATRIOT Act offense and makes them, simply through levying the charge, eligible for indefinite detention and extradition as terrorists. The idea of some slack jawed desk jockey throwing that charge onto a crime is worrying. And typical.

Anonymous said...

Yup, NC law defines almost anything NFA as a WMD unless you have a stamp for it.

amphibspook said...

All of the devices listed in the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA)are referred to as WMDs.

SWIFT said...

Contemporary praetorian guard insanity. Anything, absolutely ANYTHING for a conviction. While I'll never condone theft, burglary, or any crime; justice takes a hit when they stoop to ridiculous charges such as this. Probably the only ones cheering are the SPLC, Brady bunch, Holder and company. Still, I hope these Irishmen get whats coming to them.

Anonymous said...

Well damn. It sounds like the three homies plans to be gettin' justis' fo Trayvon got cut short, yo.

Anonymous said...

Gotta love NC, they also consider spud guns "WMD"s here.