Grapevine: Long Island DA lawyers prohibited from owning gun

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Grapevine: Long Island DA lawyers prohibited from owning gun

Office says policy ensures safety and comfort of staff, victims and witnesses

And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine…

No Right to Bear Arms

District attorney's office lawyers on Long Island -- not only do not get special treatment -- they are prohibited from exercising a basic American right -- owning a gun.

Not-- carrying it into court -- or using it -- just owning one at home.

The application for employment states -- "Assistant district attorneys are not permitted to apply for a handgun permit nor own or possess a handgun while employed by the Nassau County District Attorney."

The office says the policy is in place to ensure the safety and comfort of staff -- victims -- and witnesses.

One law professor takes issue with the restriction -- quote

"Prosecutors often have special reasons they may want to be able to defend themselves. The Second Amendment restricts the government's ability to ban handguns."

Closed for Business

The Health Republic of New York -- the state's ObamaCare-funded insurance co-op -- is closing its doors.

It becomes the sixth marketplace to fail since the $2.4 billion program was launched in 2011.

The CEO blames the structure of the co-op system -- saying the challenges were too difficult to overcome.

Insurance plans will continue through the end of the year.

The federal government gave the start-up $265 million in 2012 and another $91 million last year.

New York's system -- may not be the last to go -- quote --

"If a co-op has solvency issues -- and we cannot rule out that others may this year -- we will work with the states so that consumers have affordable options."

Crime Doesn't Pay

Finally -- dumb criminal alert.

A thief stole a lottery ticket dispenser from a Florida liquor store around 1 AM -- September 15th.

Later that same morning -- the man tried to cash one of the stolen tickets -- at the same store.

The tickets had been voided and flagged as stolen.

Richard Morgan was arrested on site -- and faces multiple charges including burglary and resisting arrest.