Young Gun Control Activist
Arrested in Drug Bust
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"...[P]olice found opium, marijuana, and $15,000
cash..." |
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Convicted drug offender
Ben Gelt |
Ben Gelt, a 20-year old budding gun control activist, who led a
post-Columbine protest at the White House, was recently arrested and
charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana with intent to
distribute.
The story, which can be found at DenverPost.com (Feb. 24),
noted that Gelt and five others were arrested in a dormitory at American
University (AU), where police found opium, marijuana, and $15,000
cash.
Gelt was 18 in 1999, at the time the murderous rampage at Columbine
High School prompted him to join Sane Alternatives to the Firearms
Epidemic (SAFE) - an anti-gun advocacy group. Gelt organized 94 students
from 31 Colorado schools to go to Washington to lobby Congress in
support of more restrictions on the rights of law-abiding gun owners,
and had a private meeting with Bill Clinton. Gelt had been very active
in the anti-gun movement, writing articles for the Denver Post, and even
delayed attending college for a year while on his crusade. The news
story even reported that it was, in part, his anti-gun activism that
convinced AU officials to accept him as a student.
Originally arrested on charges of opium distribution - a felony - the
charges were reduced in court.
Although probably not a future candidate for gun ownership anyway, Gelt
would be ineligible to legally purchase a firearm, as on BATF Form 4473,
question 12(e) clearly asks "Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted
to, marijuana...." Gelt's father conceded he was aware his son was a
"mild user of marijuana."
Related Stories...
More About the Gun-Ban Lobby at work
Barnes-Gelt's son charged in D.C. drug raid (Denver Post)
Councilwoman's Son Arrested (Denver Post)
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