A shooting at a Michigan mall in July ended when a 19-year-old drew his own pistol and shot a man who had already taken one life and was firing wildly. Now that teen has been sentenced to two years of probation for carrying a gun without a permit.
Martinez Long isn't old enough to receive a concealed pistol license in Michigan since he's not 21, but by the time he completes his probation he should be able to lawfully exercise his Second Amendment rights.
The judge admonished Long for carrying the gun and told him he has to think before he acts.
"Fortunately, you weren't injured, but nonetheless, you had a gun there in the first place which was poor judgment," he said. "And what do you need a gun for protection in a mall, in the first place?
Considering Long ended up using his firearm in self-defense and defense of others, I'd say the judge should be well aware of why someone would need a gun for protection in a mall. It was arguably poor judgment on the part of Long to carry a gun illegally, but the state of Michigan makes it impossible for young adults under the age of 21 to lawfully carry concealed, which is a problem in and of itself.
As part of his probation, Long must complete cognitive behavioral therapy, not possess and guns or ammunition in that period and take handgun safety classes offered by the court.
The Oak Park man is working towards getting his GED and had no prior criminal record. The judge acknowledged the right to self-defense in the case.
"I know there was a gun fight at the Fairlane mall, and the lawyers have agreed, according to this court's evaluation, that you were acting in self-defense or the defense of others, so that's a valid legal defense," he said. "Why did you walk into the mall with a gun in the first place?"
Long didn't answer the judge, with his attorney explaining that he chose to remain silent given the potential for a civil suit in the future. She added that her client "didn't plan on using it that day," and "kept it for protection."
Under the terms of Long's probation, if he successfully completes his two-year probationary period the charges will disappear and he'll still be eligible to exercise his Second Amendment rights going forward.
"This gives you a clean slate. You're only 19 years of age," the judge said. "More of your life's ahead of you than behind you. So hopefully, you know, this won't prevent you from advancing as you move forward."
I take exception to some of the judge's comments, but I can't fault him for the actual sentence that he imposed.
Justice would not have been served by sending a 19-year-old to prison because he used an illegally possessed firearm to save himself and the lives of others.
Two years probation isn't that severe of a sentence, especially since Long's record will be expunged if he stays out of trouble, but Michigan's prohibition on young adults bearing arms really needs to be changed. Long was old enough to be charged as an adult (albeit a "youthful offender") for carrying a pistol without a license, but he's too young to obtain a license in the state. That seems like a Catch-22 to me, as well as a violation of our Second Amendment rights.
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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