What constitutes a "Mini-Arsenal" -- ask the Pilot

A twice convicted felon with ties to the state's political, business and religious leaders was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison for illegally possessing a small arsenal of assault-style rifles and accessories.

Attorneys for Pieter Reidy asked the court to place their client on house arrest in light of his philanthropy, but U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith said she couldn't imagine letting the 37-year-old Norfolk businessman off that lightly.

"I could never find house arrest sufficient," Smith said, noting the need to deter future criminal activity by both Reidy and others. "It can't just be brushed under the rug."

...

The charges stemmed from a 9 mm, laser-sighted handgun found in Reidy’s Norfolk home, and eight semi-automatic rifles, numerous high-capacity magazines, multiple cases of ammunition, 10 containers of gun powder and several scopes and sights found in a storage locker.

Investigators also located a video of Reidy, who was previously convicted in 2004 on charges related to a large quantity of prescription painkillers and marijuana, shooting a handgun at Colonial Shooting Academy in Virginia Beach.

Click to expand...

James Broccoletti, one of Reidy’s attorneys, argued the case was atypical when compared to others handled by the court and asked the judge for lenience. He said the handgun was purchased for personal protection and that the other weapons, many of which were in unopened boxes, were purchased as investments.

Broccoletti noted that his client petitioned for and received the restoration of many of his civil rights in 2012 from Governor Bob McDonnell. He said Reidy tried in 2008 to get his gun rights restored through a presidential pardon, but he filed the paperwork too soon and was denied. Reidy never tried again.

Several prominent Virginians sent letters to the court in support of Reidy, including former Gov. George Allen, U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell, Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms and Bishop Francis DiLorenzo of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.

Click to expand...

James Broccoletti, one of Reidy’s attorneys, downplayed what prosecutors termed Reidy’s “mini-arsenal.” He said the handgun was intended for personal protection and that the other weapons, many of which were in unopened boxes, were purchased as “something of an investment opportunity.”

“He collected these firearms at a time when many people in the industry thought that they were likely to be soon banned at the national level,” Broccoletti said.

Click to expand...

2a4all said:

..........convicted as a felon in possession of a firearm.........didn't have his gun rights restored...........purchased firearms anyway........got arrested..........going to jail...........

Click to expand...

color of law said:

The government has worked hard over the years to make the term "Arsenal" when heard to conjure up evil thoughts.

Click to expand...

MSG Laigaie said:

View attachment 13089


When I transferred off Guam, the Air Force had to come to my residence and "inventory" my personal firearms before shipping to the States. They spent quite a bit of time looking and fondling. They only missed a couple, as they only counted the AR-7s as just stocks instead of weapons. They had not seen that much ammunition in Family Housing before. I, too, was referred to as an "arsenal" and they framed my inventory to put on their office wall. I was the largest cache to ever be inventoried on the island.

Click to expand...

MSG Laigaie said:

View attachment 13089


When I transferred off Guam, the Air Force had to come to my residence and "inventory" my personal firearms before shipping to the States. They spent quite a bit of time looking and fondling. They only missed a couple, as they only counted the AR-7s as just stocks instead of weapons. They had not seen that much ammunition in Family Housing before. I, too, was referred to as an "arsenal" and they framed my inventory to put on their office wall. I was the largest cache to ever be inventoried on the island.

Click to expand...

user said:

Phrases like, "mini arsenal" are created and used by prosecutors in an attempt to make the defendant look like as bad a guy as possible. They routinely, and in my opinion, cynically, focus on trying to make the defendant look like a "bad person" because that's easier than proving that he committed the crime he's charged with. I have two approaches to such "spin", in addition to reminding the court (whether judge or jury) that the only thing that's at issue is whether or not the defendant committed the act(s) charged in the warrant/indictment, which are to make fun of the prosecutors for using such stupid tactics or to ignore them. The choice depends on whether they make sense or really have something to do with the charge. Aside from the evident fact that the defendant was actually guilty in this case, it seems like one where parody would have been appropriate. Prosecutors, like humans, generally, don't want to have to work any harder than necessary.

Click to expand...

davidmcbeth said:

I thought that this was a "mini"?

Click to expand...