MASON CITY – Mason City police responded to a report of an intoxicated man at his liquor store and ended up arresting the owner after an un-permitted .45 handgun was found in his possession.
The incident took place on September 5 at 10:30 PM, when Mason City police officers were called to 719 North Federal, home to Don’s Liquor and Tobacco. Officers were sent there to check on a report of a woman trying to help a suspected intoxicated employee inside the establishment, which was open for business.
Officers arrived and verified the initial report, but by that time, both subjects were now outside the business. At the scene, officers encountered the owner of the liquor store, 47-year-old Francis Gill, who was unable to suggest someone for officers to contact to come care for him, as he appeared to be intoxicated.
As a result, officers arrested Francis Gill for Public Intoxication. During the investigation, officers discovered Gill had a concealed .45 handgun in his waistband at time of arrest. Gill did not have a valid CCW permit. He was charged with carrying a dangerous weapon. He was taken to the county jail and later released, pending a court date.
yes, you have to pay a fee to exersize your constitutional right! Why?
Great question.
It’s like paying a fee to own/drive your car, the government wants your money.
Too bad. Stopped in there once to patronize the place. Inventory was very limited but he was a very nice guy and I always love small business owners going up against the HyVees of the world.
His front door was kicked in a couple of weeks ago.
as a business owner you can carry at your own establishment without permit, drunk or not. i’m guessing they nabbed him in the street or else i cant see how they could charge him.
There’s a difference between owning a gun, and it being accessible, and sitting outside, drunk, with a gun concealed in your waistband.
I won’t stick up for his stupidity, but in that neighborhood you need to carry. You need to keep your powder dry, Ahmed, aka Francis.
true, but a man can sit in his front yard, rifle in one hand, miller in the other, all day long and be well within his rights. it is not until he sets foot on public ground that intoxication and lack of carry permit becomes a problem.
oh, uh, i responded to the wrong post.
Something tells me his real name is Francis.