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Federal judge rules against New Eagle woman in gun suit

1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – A federal judge has ruled that a Western Pennsylvania police officer didn’t violate a motorist’s civil rights by temporarily confiscating her loaded firearm during a traffic stop.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports Heather Flanegan claimed that Jefferson Hills Officer John O’Learly violated her constitutional rights when she was pulled over for speeding on Route 837 in December 2013.

The New Eagle resident says O’Learly seized a gun holstered on her car door while issuing her a ticket. O’Learly returned the weapon to Flanegan, who has a license to carry, at the end of the traffic stop.

Judge Cathy Bissoon said she’s confident future rulings won’t provide a constitutional right for citizens to remain “armed and loaded” while officers perform investigatory functions in their presence.

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