Skinny Shooter
08-10-2007, 11:53 AM
Man with gun rants at District Township meeting
Officials and residents say they feel intimidated after Roland Van Tongel shows up with a 9 mm pistol again.
By Ron Devlin
Reading Eagle
Berks County, PA - He did it again.
As if to prove he could, Roland Van Tongel showed up at Thursday’s District Township supervisors meeting packing a loaded 9 mm handgun.
Unlike last month, when he carried the weapon exposed, Van Tongel had it concealed beneath his T-shirt, stuffed in his waistband at the small of his back.
Then, with a state trooper 10 feet away, he lifted his shirt to show the weapon during a diatribe.
He used a sexual slur while accusing unnamed people he called cowardly homosexuals and draft dodgers of making death threats.
"I served in the military and I’m a naturalized citizen for 45 years," Van Tongel shouted. "I carry this sidearm everywhere I go, and I’m not giving up my right to do so."
Van Tongel threatened to bring his Kalashnikov, a Russian assault rifle, to next month’s meeting to prove he had the right to.
The township resident has a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
Legal experts say there’s no barrier to carrying an exposed weapon, even a Kalashnikov, in public because Pennsylvania is a so-called "open carry" state.
The township supervisors, who view Van Tongel’s actions as intimidating, want to adopt an ordinance that would prohibit weapons in the township building.
State Rep. Doug Reichley, whose district includes the township, told the supervisors they lacked the authority to adopt such an ordinance.
This individual was at the previous township meeting and his handgun was hanging out of his front pocket. There was quite a stir because at that time he had gotten into a heated argument with the township supervisors when the gun was noticed. State Police were called but he checked out cause he has a CCW.
In Pa, the CCW is for concealed carry not open carry.
Pa does allow open carry in the state but most folks know enough that these days it may get you a visit to the local mental health facility for a check-up.
He could have his license revoked for flashing his weapon from the story above. I'm surprised the trooper did not cite him for what he did. I often hear this guy on the radio and he is an ardent citizen. But, his latest actions may end up hurting us rather than helping.
Officials and residents say they feel intimidated after Roland Van Tongel shows up with a 9 mm pistol again.
By Ron Devlin
Reading Eagle
Berks County, PA - He did it again.
As if to prove he could, Roland Van Tongel showed up at Thursday’s District Township supervisors meeting packing a loaded 9 mm handgun.
Unlike last month, when he carried the weapon exposed, Van Tongel had it concealed beneath his T-shirt, stuffed in his waistband at the small of his back.
Then, with a state trooper 10 feet away, he lifted his shirt to show the weapon during a diatribe.
He used a sexual slur while accusing unnamed people he called cowardly homosexuals and draft dodgers of making death threats.
"I served in the military and I’m a naturalized citizen for 45 years," Van Tongel shouted. "I carry this sidearm everywhere I go, and I’m not giving up my right to do so."
Van Tongel threatened to bring his Kalashnikov, a Russian assault rifle, to next month’s meeting to prove he had the right to.
The township resident has a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
Legal experts say there’s no barrier to carrying an exposed weapon, even a Kalashnikov, in public because Pennsylvania is a so-called "open carry" state.
The township supervisors, who view Van Tongel’s actions as intimidating, want to adopt an ordinance that would prohibit weapons in the township building.
State Rep. Doug Reichley, whose district includes the township, told the supervisors they lacked the authority to adopt such an ordinance.
This individual was at the previous township meeting and his handgun was hanging out of his front pocket. There was quite a stir because at that time he had gotten into a heated argument with the township supervisors when the gun was noticed. State Police were called but he checked out cause he has a CCW.
In Pa, the CCW is for concealed carry not open carry.
Pa does allow open carry in the state but most folks know enough that these days it may get you a visit to the local mental health facility for a check-up.
He could have his license revoked for flashing his weapon from the story above. I'm surprised the trooper did not cite him for what he did. I often hear this guy on the radio and he is an ardent citizen. But, his latest actions may end up hurting us rather than helping.