Local News in Brief : New Charge in Gun Incident at Bush Rally
A man accused of carrying a starter pistol to a pre-election campaign rally for Vice President George Bush has been indicted in Los Angeles on disorderly conduct charges.
A federal grand jury brought the charges against John Arthur Junot, 40, of Los Angeles on Tuesday. He was arrested Nov. 6 and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct. The grand jury charge is also a misdemeanor.
Junot was about 50 yards away from the vice president, who was addressing a suburban Los Angeles crowd of about 10,000 on gun control, when the gun fell to the ground. He fled as bystanders yelled he had a weapon, and police arrested him moments later.
There was no indication that Bush noticed the incident.
Evidence showed Junot planned several weeks in advance of the rally to take the pistol, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Julie Blackshaw. Among the evidence was a poem allegedly written by Junot for John Hinckley, the man who shot President Ronald Reagan.
Police said the starter pistol was the type usually used at track and field events and resembles a handgun, although it fires only blanks.
Junot faces up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted. Arraignment was set for Monday.
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