British Police Arrest Man for Posting Photo of Himself Firing Shotgun While on Vacation in U.S.
UK man arrested for posting vacation photo with shotgun in Florida, raising questions on free speech.
So let me get this straight...British guy travels to the U.S. on vacation, takes a photo of himself firing a gun while on vacation, posts it online and gets arrested for it after returning home?An IT consultant was arrested by police in Britain after he posted a picture online of himself posing with a gun in the US.
Jon Richelieu-Booth said he was shocked by the “Orwellian” decision by West Yorkshire Police (WYP) to prosecute him over the social media post.
The 50-year-old said that on Aug 13 he had posted a picture of himself on LinkedIn holding a shotgun while on a private homestead with friends during a holiday in Florida.
Mr Richelieu-Booth claims the LinkedIn message contained nothing he considered threatening, with the picture attached to a lengthy post about his day and work activities.
However, he said that a police officer later visited his home to warn him that concerns had been raised about the post. “I was told to be careful what I say online and I need to understand how it makes people feel,” he said.
Mr Richelieu-Booth said he offered to provide officers with proof that the picture of the firearm had been taken while he was in the US but the officers said that was not necessary.
Mr Richelieu-Booth said two officers then returned to his home shortly after 10pm on Aug 24 and arrested him.
A bail document seen by The Telegraph refers to an allegation of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and a further allegation of stalking related to a photograph of a house that appeared on his social media. He said he was held overnight in a cell before being interviewed.
Lord, make it make sense.... @PGen98, what's going on in your native land again?
