AP: Senate Candidate Convicted on Gun Charge @ Stanley for U.S. Senate 2002 Colorado

Senate Candidate Convicted on Gun Charge
From the Associated Press - Thursday, May 16, 2002

Rick Stanley, a Libertarian for the U.S. Senate, was convicted today of unlawfully carrying a weapon after he went to a rally carrying a loaded handgun in a holster to make a point about gun laws.

The six-person jury deliberated just over an hour. Stanley faces up to a year in jail and a $999 fine at his sentencing on July 25.

Stanley said he will appeal and still plans to run for the Senate. A misdemeanor conviction would not bar him from holding office.

He argued the city ordinance prohibiting loaded weapons in public is unconstitutional.

"I tried to defend myself using the Constitution, and the judge wouldn't allow it," Stanley said. "This is a serious problem and the American people should know."

The Dec. 15 rally marked the 210th anniversary of the Bill of Rights, and Stanley said he brought the Beretta .38-caliber semiautomatic handgun to illustrate his right to bear arms under the Second Amendment. During the trial, defense attorney Paul Grant argued that Stanley was carrying the weapon to defend himself because he had received several threats.

"You also have a constitutional right to carry weapons for defensive purposes," Grant said.