Charges ‘imminent’ against Cohasset man who had 98 guns in home

[HD]

Charges ‘imminent’ against Cohasset man who had 98 guns in home



By Benjamin Paulin
The Patriot Ledger

COHASSET - – Police are trying to determine how a Doane Street man came into possession of close to 100 guns and five military-grade ordnance shells that were seized from his home.

“Charges are imminent. It’s just a matter of how many offenses he is charged with,” Police Chief William Quigley said.

Police executed a search warrant at 50 Doane St. on Friday after receiving a tip that the homeowner, Robert Stoddard, had dozens of improperly secured firearms inside.

A total of 98 guns, including shotguns, rifles and pistols, were seized, along with the military-grade ordnance shells and cases of ammunition, police said. Most of the items were improperly stored, strewn about his home, police said.

State law requires firearms to be secured in a locked cabinet or with a trigger lock.
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Cohasset police seize 100 firearms and 5 military-grade shells from Doane St. home
April 14, 2017

The State Police bomb squad was called to remove the shells, which had gunpowder inside, and handed them over to a Navy unit out of Newport, Rhode Island.

Quigley said investigators are looking at whether the shells may have come from a former military ammunition depot inside what is now Wompatuck State Park. The park is close to Stoddard’s home, and he did not serve in the military, Quigley said.

“It’s not something you could buy in a store,” Quigley said. “The shells do have serial numbers. Hopefully the Navy will be able to track them back to where they came from.”

The police department will meet today with members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to examine the guns.

Stoddard had a license to carry firearms, which has since been revoked.

Police also said they found several brass grave markers for military, police and firefighter graves in Stoddard’s home. Quigley said there is a graveyard across the street from Stoddard’s home.

“We haven’t had any complaints of them going missing recently. But he’s been holding onto these things for years and years,” Quigley said. “It’s all part of the investigation. We’re waiting to gather more information.”

Police will try to return the grave markers to families, Quigley said.

Stoddard is living in his house and has been cooperating with the investigation, police said.

“All the weapons are out of the house, the neighborhood is safe,” Quigley said. “There wasn’t any imminent threat, but someone with that type of armament we want to make sure everything is properly stored.”

Stoddard did not respond when a reporter knocked on the door Monday.

Neighbors said they were surprised to learn Stoddard had that many weapons in his house. They said he’s a friendly person.

“I’ve known him for years. I’ve never had a bit of problem with him,” David Stover, 76, a next-door neighbor, said.

David Kneeland, another neighbor, said he snow-blows Stoddard’s driveway in the winter.

“It’s just a little disconcerting to learn that there were so many weapons. I was aware that he had some and thought maybe he was collecting. But I didn’t give it too much thought. He’s a quiet guy,” Kneeland said. “We’d talk but he keeps to himself.”

[glenn57]

That's crazy. I drive thru cohasset when I head to rapids.

[LPS]

So he liked guns.  What is the issue here?

[Auggie]

I'd be pissed if my guns were stacked up in the back of a truck like that. Especially if there was no crime involved. I'm not sure what gave them the right to come in and confiscate them was? Just because a neighbor reported he had firearms that were not locked up?? If that's the case I think it's
B.S.

[Leech~~]

"State law requires firearms to be secured in a locked cabinet or with a trigger lock"  Never heard of this law? confused-3316.gif

Kind of makes it hard to shoot the bad guys breaking in if you have to do a lot of unlocking!  pouty-1023.gif

[LPS]

Is this Cohassat in MN or some other state??

[Rebel SS]

It happened in Massachusetts.   

[Leech~~]

Those dang hoarders ruin it for everyone! 

[Rebel SS]

Unsecured pussies?   

[Gunner55]

Googled the paper that did the story & it came up Quincy, MA

[LPS]

So MA is why the keep under lock and key is the "law" there...   

[HD]

I figured it was close to Rhode island,, that's where they said the bomb squad was.

I just thought if they chucked my guns around like that... I'd be pissed.

[Gunner55]

Same here, when I seen Rhode Island bomb squad , figured it wasn't the 1 57 was talkin about between GR & DR

[Rebel SS]

"Negligent Storage" is a gross misdemeanor in Minnesota.


2016 Minnesota Statutes

1996 Subd. 1 Amended 1996 c 408 art 4 s 11

609.666 NEGLIGENT STORAGE OF FIREARMS.


§Subdivision

 1.Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following words have the meanings given.
(a) "Firearm" means a device designed to be used as a weapon, from which is expelled a projectile by the force of any explosion or force of combustion.

(b) "Child" means a person under the age of 18 years.

(c) "Loaded" means the firearm has ammunition in the chamber or magazine, if the magazine is in the firearm, unless the firearm is incapable of being fired by a child who is likely to gain access to the firearm.

Subd. 2.Access to firearms. A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who negligently stores or leaves a loaded firearm in a location where the person knows, or reasonably should know, that a child is likely to gain access, unless reasonable action is taken to secure the firearm against access by the child.
Subd. 3.Limitations. Subdivision 2 does not apply to a child's access to firearms that was obtained as a result of an unlawful entry.