Yesterday, French police arrested a man trying to check into a hotel carrying two handguns, ammunition, and a Koran. Today, authorities are saying the arrest was not terrorism-related.
Why then, was the man—whose papers point to a residence in Paris and has been reported as co-managing a brasserie in the 14th arrondissement—carrying weapons and the Koran into the Happiest Place in Europe? According to a police source, it wasn’t because he was an American on vacation or just simply trying to fit in with his surroundings at Disney’s Hotel New York: he simply feared for his safety. And the Gideons have yet to branch out from Christian holy books.
A routine scan of the suspect’s belongings uncovered the guns and ammo during his check-in at the hotel, and the man was taken into a custody. A woman believed to be his girlfriend was also arrested, but she was quickly released when the police discovered she had no connection with the suspect. His actual girlfriend is still being sought, but for reasons unknown to the public.
The suspect was not immediately available for comment, nor were we able to send him a pamphlet on how ineffective gun possession has proven in staving off mass shootings in America.