Scoop: Philly revokes gun permits for members of Black Panther-style patrol group
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Photos: Courtesy of the Black Lion Party for International Solidarity
A Philadelphia group known for Black Panther-style community patrols is fighting to restore several members' gun licenses after the city revoked them over an encounter with police earlier this year, the group's attorney tells Axios.
Why it matters: The revocations have halted the armed neighborhood patrols and escalated tensions between city officials and the group.
The big picture: In Pennsylvania, owners of licensed firearms usually do not need a permit to openly carry their weapons — except in Philadelphia.
- Philadelphia police have broad authority to revoke gun licenses, including for failing to properly secure their weapons, associating with people convicted of felonies, or — in the group's case — for "good cause," per city correspondence obtained by Axios.
Driving the news: Philadelphia police sent a letter to at least four members of the Black Lion Party for International Solidarity, including its leader, Paul Birdsong, in February, indicating their gun licenses had been revoked, the members' attorney, Lyandra Retacco, tells Axios.
- In the letter, Lt. Wanda Newsome says the "visibly armed" group's conduct during a Jan. 31 encounter with a police officer at 23rd and Diamond streets "created an unreasonable danger to public safety."
- At least two of the Lions were not even present during the interaction, Retacco says, adding she has asked the city solicitor's office to immediately restore their licenses. She declined to identify them, saying they did not want to speak publicly about their experiences.
What they're saying: Retacco is challenging the revocations, arguing that the city lacks a legal basis to yank the licenses.
- "The idea that the police are interacting with the Lions when they are armed differently than someone when they're not armed … is unconstitutional, illegal, inappropriate," Retacco tells Axios.
The other side: Philadelphia police spokesperson Sgt. Eric Gripp declined to comment on the license revocations, saying the department "cannot confirm or deny whether someone has a concealed carry permit" unless they're charged with a crime relevant to their ability to carry a firearm.
- The city law department declined to comment.
Zoom out: The move comes after the group's confrontations with law enforcement at anti-ICE protests in Philly in January.
Context: Philadelphia's Black Panther Party was founded in 1968 and lasted about five years, running breakfast programs and community patrols before targeted police pressure caused its membership to dwindle, per the University of Washington.
- Birdsong has said former Black Panther Party members recruited him to revive the local chapter after the killing of George Floyd in 2020.
- The group changed its name amid pressure from some of those connected to the original Black Panthers.
- In addition to armed neighborhood patrols and providing security at immigration protests across the city, the Philly group has organized food giveaways from its headquarters.
What's ahead: Retacco expects a hearing on the issue as early as this summer.
- She's asked for Birdsong's case to be expedited.