Gun taken from man in boozy assault in popular Stamford bar

STAMFORD — Police say they have seized a city man’s gun and license to carry after he was armed while involved in a fight at Harbor Point bar over the weekend.

John Neenan, 48, of Broad Street, has been charged with being intoxicated while carrying his gun, third-degree assault and illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine. He was released after posting a $10,000 court appearance bond.

Neenan’s permit shows he received his license to carry less than a year ago.

Capt. Richard Conklin said Neenan appeared to be the aggressor in a fight with another man Sunday night at Sign of the Whale.

Neenan told responding officers he was carrying a Smith & Wesson 9mm semiautomatic pistol. Police found the gun had an illegal high-capacity 12-round magazine and was loaded with nine hollow-point bullets, the arrest report said. There were no bullets in the chamber, the report said.

Neenan said a man he thought he recognized bumped into him. Conklin said employees told officers Neenan punched the man, who fell to the ground and appeared to be briefly unconscious.

Conklin said one witness told officers he heard Neenan tell the victim to “get the (expletive) out of my face.” The victim then began walking away when Neenan punched him in the head with his right hand, Conklin said.

Conklin said Neenan’s gun and permit to carry his pistol were taken and turned over to State Police who will likely revoke his license to carry the gun.

jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com