Debate Magazine
Pentagraph has the follow-up to a story we covered when it happened.
An Urbana pawn shop dealer was found guilty Friday of reckless
conduct in the February 2011 accidental discharge of a weapon at a gun
show in Bloomington.
Robert Rigdon, 74, of St. Joseph was accused
of failing to check the guns he brought to the sale from the Gold &
Diamond Exchange Pawn Shop Inc. to make certain they were not loaded. A
mini-14 semiautomatic rifle went off while a Washington man was holding
it, striking three others during the Egyptian Gun Collectors Show at the
former Bloomington Sale Barn.
The guilty verdict followed a bench
trial where the facts of the case were stipulated, meaning Rigdon made
no admission of guilt. He faces up to a year in jail, fines of $2,500 or
probation when he is sentenced July 5.
But, what does that mean for his gun rights? In the state of Indiana, aren't these things routinely bargained down to a point at which gun rights are retained, in spite of the fact that the guy has proven himself to be a danger?
Maybe this flaky bench trial in which he makes "no admission of guilt" is designed for that very purpose.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
