(Rick Egan | Tribune file photo) W. Clark Aposhian, seen in this 2005 photo, has been charged with four misdemeanors, including domestic violence. Aposhian has taught concealed-carry classes for legislators, public officials and the governor and hundreds of other Utahns, but a conviction could cost him his right to own guns.
Utah’s foremost gun advocate and his ex-wife had a contentious divorce wrought with conflict, emotional distress and pain.
At times, Clark Aposhian may have been annoying and intimidating but, a judge ruled last week, he wasn’t dangerous. Third District Judge Andrew Stone denied a protective order request from Aposhian’s ex-wife, Natalie Meyer, last Tuesday and ruled the woman has no reason to fear the gun lobbyist. It’s a long-awaited victory for Aposhian, who has been embroiled in several legal disputes stemming from a Memorial Day incident in which he was accused of driving a 2.5-ton military vehicle onto his ex-wife’s driveway and threatening to run over her new husband and his car. Aposhian still faces misdemeanor domestic violence charges in Holladay Justice Court, but his attorneys hope Stone’s ruling, which states there was no abuse or criminal trespassing on the Meyers’ property, will help them in fighting that case. No physical violence • The judge dismissed this fear of physical abuse, noting her interactions with Aposhian had never escalated to physical violence in the past, and there was little evidence to show they were likely to in the future — two legal requirements of granting a protective order under Utah law. You have to wonder if a guy who makes threats and does intimidation is really safe. Aren't these exactly the types who need to be disarmed BEFORE they escalate into out-and-out violent behavior? Is it reasonable to expect people like this to gradually calm down and not get worse over time?
