{"id":21791,"date":"2020-05-19T08:17:55","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T12:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gunpoliticsny.com\/?p=21791"},"modified":"2020-05-19T08:17:55","modified_gmt":"2020-05-19T12:17:55","slug":"palo-mayombe-practice-no-reason-to-carry-a-gun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gunpoliticsny.com\/?p=21791","title":{"rendered":"Palo Mayombe practice no reason to carry a gun"},"content":{"rendered":"

I found this story<\/a> regarding the case of U.S. v. Cruz, 19-cr-775<\/a><\/em> on the Inner City Press<\/a> website:<\/p>\n

“… Eric Cruz was up for sentencing on gun charges on May 18 and in his defense submission was this: “Mr. Cruz’ possession of the firearm at issue was solely for use in the ceremonial practice of his religion, Palo Mayombe<\/a>. Firearms hold only symbolic meaning in the ritual practice of the religion and involve no violence or threat of violence.” U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York<\/a> Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein<\/a> weighed this claim against the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993<\/a> and found it wanting … Judge Hellerstein said, He is citing a Cuban religion as a basis for having a gun. But a loaded gun? He cites the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 – government must show a compelling interest. But that does not require the US to do handstands… I find that there is not a burden on this religion, and that even if there were it would be acceptable to control guns<\/strong> … Judge Hellerstein ultimately imposed a sentence of 21 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release …”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n