Black Panthers get 8 of 10 guns back from New Hanover Co. Sheriff’s Office

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Members of the Revolutionary Black Panther Party, which led events in Wilmington over the weekend, got back eight of 10 firearms confiscated Sunday by the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Jerry Brewer said.

Brewer said the gun owners picked them up from the Sheriff’s Office around 7:30 last night. One firearm, a Taurus .44 Magnum, could not be returned because it is reported stolen from Wisconsin, Brewer said. He said NHSO is holding a Smith & Wesson 9 mm because its owner has a domestic violence protection order against him in Wisconsin. Brewer said if that order is lifted or expires, the owner can get it back.

Sheriff’s deputies seized the weapons as the RBPP held a news conference on the steps of the New Hanover County Courthouse Sunday afternoon, because county ordinance says you cannot be armed on courthouse property, Brewer said. He said they were also in violation of a state law that prohibits wearing a mask during a demonstration. Brewer said no one was charged or cited for the violations.

“The reason for that was officer’s discretion,” Brewer said. “The lieutenant told them they were in violation. They immediately complied with it, so there was no reason to arrest them at the time.”

After surrendering the weapons, Black Panther leader Alli Muhammad told reporters he and his members had other weapons, so their plans for an armed vigil later in the day would continue. The group held that event at a private home at 12th and Dock streets in Wilmington.

In all deputies seized two revolvers, five semi-automatic pistols and three shotguns, which were all loaded.