Police arrest man accused of pointing handgun while driving on U.S. 23
Police have arrested a Waterford man accused of pointing a handgun while driving on U.S. 23 north in Green Oak Township Tuesday.
Troopers from the Michigan State Police Brighton Post and officers from the Green Oak Township Police department responded to a call around 5:20 p.m. from a semitruck driver who saw the man holding the gun, according to a news release. The vehicles were northbound on U.S. 23, south of Interstate 96.
The semi driver told Livingston County dispatchers that the man, who was driving a black pickup, was pointing a black and silver handgun at the passenger door with his finger on the trigger.
Police responded to the call while dispatchers were able to get enough details from the semi truck driver, from Westland, so they could locate the suspect. The pickup driver was eventually stopped in the area of U.S. 23 and M-59.
Police said the suspect was arrested without incident and a semi-automatic handgun was found in his vehicle.
Charges are being sought through the Livingston County prosecutor.
Julie Baker can be reached at juliebaker@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2576.
Comments
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 1:12 p.m.
"The semi driver told Livingston County dispatchers that the man, who was driving a black pickup, was pointing a black and silver handgun at the passenger door with his finger on the trigger." That is some pretty good intel. But it makes me wonder how long he wasn't watching the road. How many football fields did he cover with his eyes off the goal line? ;)
OLDTIMER3
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 1:30 p.m.
I was wondering the same thing. Good thing there weren't any slow drivers in front of him.
dsponini
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 12:48 p.m.
Just another responsible gun owner exercising his 1st ammendment rights! Quick...call the NRA...tell 'em another one needs their lawyers services...
dsponini
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 12:50 p.m.
or 2nd ammendment :)
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:56 a.m.
Showing my age: during the period when commuting from Ann Arbor via US-23 (etc) to work, if someone had been spotted pointing a handgun in the manner described: CB Channel 9 would have been flooded with, "Break 9, break 9, man in 4-wheeler northbound on "23" at mile marker (number) pointing a pistol. Smokey, ya gotta copy? Come back?!" Seriously, the mid-70s was a time of real citizen participation and cooperation with "Smokey" (now called LEOs). Last year's highway shooting spree would not have been possible when virtually every driver on the road had fast voice contact with police. It's time to bring back in-car Citizens Band Radio.
OLDTIMER3
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.
The senate would probably outlaw CBS this day and age.
Robert Granville
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 12:33 p.m.
Back when we trusted the police.
Superior Twp voter
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:24 a.m.
OR, in an alternative version (vision) story that would attract attention: Westland truck driver reports seeing a colorful handgun in a car. Subject behind the handgun seemed to fancy it. Truck driver calls police. Exhaustive freeway manhunt wastes federal, state, and local law enforcement resources. Truck driver admonished by authorities to not get too excited as handguns have been around for some 200 + years. Now, that would be reporting!
arborarmy
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:54 a.m.
No. It would be a fairy tale.
Paul
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:21 a.m.
Likely another legal gun owner with no criminal record who was just have a bad day, thankfully this time he did not pull the trigger.
Cory C
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 1:45 p.m.
OldTimer3, having a gun in the passenger area of a vehicle is illegal. Loaded or not. The exception to this is a person who has their CPL. The proper way to transport a firearm, per the MSP, is in the rear of the car, out of reach of passengers, in a locakble container. The rule of thumb is that the gun goes in the trunk and the ammo goes in the glovebox.
OLDTIMER3
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 1:25 p.m.
The story didn't say whether the weapon was loaded or not. It not loaded I don't see where he can be charged with anything.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:40 a.m.
Before you make such accusatory remarks about legal gun owners with no criminal record, you'd better check the comparative crime rates between the group you attempt to skewer with your wit to Ordinary American Adults (aka, the general public). Until you've carried a gun every day for a year or so without even thinking about it during "bad days" or even during acrimonious arguments, you should learn some self control - starting with restraining prejudiced sarcasm. You're only making a good argument for speech control.
An Arborigine
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:21 a.m.
Sounds like more ammo for more mental health screening and scrutiny, not gun control.
smokeblwr
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:06 a.m.
Just exercising his 2nd amendment RIGHT to fondle his weapon.
Superior Twp voter
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:05 a.m.
Charges are being considered for what exactly?....... "The semi driver told Livingston County dispatchers that the man, who was driving a black pickup, was pointing a black and silver handgun at the passenger door with his finger on the trigger." Felonious assault of a passenger door?
Davidian
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.
Completely legitimate question. Brandishing? CCW? If he has a CPL, strictly speaking, what law was broken? I'm sure there was a law broken if he was arrested, but which one? Disappointing to see so many negs on this comment but no rebuttal.
BigMike
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 11:24 a.m.
Well, if the driver does not possess a CPL, having the pistol accessible in the passenger compartment is illegal. If he does possess a CPL, he can fondle his loaded pistol - so to speak - all he wants, as long as he wasn't menacing anyone.
DBH
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 3:54 a.m.
I don't think Paul is the one missing the point.
Superior Twp voter
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:25 a.m.
Paul, you are missing the point.
Paul
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:19 a.m.
Ah, bullets can shoot right through car doors and people are inside cars, duh. Bullets can ricochet and strike the driver even if the shooter was not aiming for them. What is wrong with people, seems like shooting at other cars is now the latest fad.
music to my ear
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 1:56 a.m.
any connection to the shootings near Saline Monday,?