A Macomb County Sheriff candidate and former Warren councilman is facing a gun charge after a weekend traffic violation turned up a loaded revolver, The Detroit News reported. Edward Kabacinski, 50, was arraigned on a felony concealed weapon charge Thursday following his turn-in to authorities in a full military outfit.
Kabacinski was stopped near Hoover and Common roads on Sunday when officers noticed his Dodge van with an expired license plate, which expired back in October 2019, and a cracked windshield, according to police. He informed the officers that he was a retired law enforcement officer, and after they spotted a revolver in a holster on Kabacinski's right hip, he claimed he didn't need a concealed pistol license "because of his retired military status," Detroit Free Press detailed.
Bond for Kabacinski was set at $5,000 with a mandate that he cannot possess any firearms, his arraignment in 37th District Court revealed. In addition to the revolver, police seized ammunition, handcuffs, and handcuff keys from Kabacinski, who is one of three GOP candidates angling for the sheriff seat in the upcoming primary on August 6, Macomb Daily reported.
Acting Warren Police Commissioner Charles Rushton explained, per Macomb Daily, "Once you get into your vehicle carrying the gun on your person, you are carrying concealed." Further adding to the complexity of the case, although Kabacinski claimed he was eligible to carry a concealed weapon under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act due to his military background, this could not be verified at the time of the traffic stop. The legitimacy of Kabacinski's military claims and whether he possesses a permit under the LEOSA is currently under investigation, revealed officials.
Kabacinski's history of encounters with the law includes prior charges: nearly four years ago he had illegally detained and handcuffed a woman for placing Black Lives Matter stickers on Trump campaign signs, and he was later convicted of peddling political merchandise without a permit during a Trump rally in 2021. Now, as Kabacinski is once again entangled with the law, he remains an active candidate for the county's chief law enforcement position.
