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Police: Man Brings Handgun, Knife Into Mpls. City Hall

By Lindsey Seavert, WCCO-TV

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minneapolis man and author of a conceal and carry book was arrested Wednesday, accused of bringing a dangerous weapon into a Minneapolis City Hall on Nov. 5, according to police.

Joel Rosenberg, 56, allegedly walked into the City Hall with his wife for a pre-arranged meeting with Sgt. Bill Palmer, who is the Public Information Office for the Minneapolis Police Department.

According to the criminal complaint, Palmer noticed that Rosenberg was wearing a shoulder holster with a handgun strapped inside and a straight blade knife beneath it.

When asked to leave the building with the weapons, Rosenberg apparently refused. Then, after Palmer told him that there are signs at the entrances of building that state that possession of firearms are prohibited, Rosenberg claimed they were not applicable.

Documents state that pursuant to a court order from September 2008, weapons are prohibited in Hennepin County Court facilities, and the Minneapolis City Hall is part of the Fourth Judicial District courthouse complex.

Palmer then disarmed Rosenberg, removed the loaded magazine from the gun and the live round that was in the chamber. Palmer then returned the unloaded weapon to Rosenberg and asked him to leave, police said.

Police said Rosenberg made no indication to authorities before the meeting that he was bringing a firearm into Minneapolis City Hall.

Police said they later learned that Rosenberg is active in posting commentary on many web logs and Internet sites. Police believe he wrote an open letter to Palmer, which said, "When you stupidly lunged at me to grab my knife and gun, you didn't watch my hands. One of them was on my back-up gun; the other was within an inch of my back-up knife."

According to police, numerous people in the community contacted police expressing concern over Rosenberg and the threat he may pose to public safety.

Rosenberg was arrested at 9:28 o'clock Wednesday morning. He faces a felony charge of dangerous weapon in a courthouse and a misdemeanor charge of contempt of court.

If convicted of both charges, Rosenberg could face a maximum penalty of five years and three months in prison.

Rosenberg is the author of the book entitled, "Everything You Need To Know About (Legally) Carrying A Handgun In Minnesota."

WCCO-TV's Lindsey Seavert Reports

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