Prosecution appeals ruling to dismiss gun charges against man
OCT 19,
2022
WAILUKU — Proceedings have been suspended in the criminal case against a man who
had a gun when he was arrested on a trespassing charge, while the prosecution appeals a judge’s ruling that dismissed firearm charges.
The dismissed charges against Christopher Wilson, 46, of Paia alleged he kept a firearm in an improper place and kept ammunition in an improper place in connection with his arrest Dec. 7, 2017.
Police were called after the owner of
Flyin Hawaii Zipline in the West Maui Mountains was alerted at 11 p.m. Dec. 6, 2017, that trespassers had entered the property, according to information in court records.
Police waited on the roadside while the owner, who was armed with an AR-15 assault rifle, and an employee located three hikers who told police they were hiking to look at the moon and native plants, according to the information.
After a hiker said others might be on the private trail, the owner went back to search and returned about 10 minutes later with Wilson, who told police he had a handgun in his front waistband that he was carrying for self-defense, according to the court information.
Police reported recovering a .22-caliber handgun loaded with a 10-round magazine.
In an Aug. 17 ruling, 2nd Circuit Judge Kirstin Hamman granted a defense request to dismiss the two charges.
The ruling said Wilson “was carrying the firearm on the trail for self-defense purposes — conduct protected by the Second Amendment.”...
https://www.mauinews.com/news/local...als-ruling-to-dismiss-gun-charges-against-man
