Posted on: Thursday, May 31, 2001

Big Island gun dealer banned from weapons

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — Darryl "Buck" Wheat, who was blocked in a bid to run for mayor last fall, lost his right to continue his gun dealership yesterday when he was sentenced for selling fireworks without a permit.

Big Island Judge Greg Nakamura sentenced Wheat, 50, to five years' probation and $750 in fines and fees, and also prohibited him from possessing firearms or ammunition while on probation.

The judge granted a deferred acceptance of Wheat's no-contest plea to the felony, meaning the conviction will be expunged from his record in 2006.

Police seized fireworks valued at $2,000 from Wheat's residence in December 1999. He had no fireworks dealer's permit as required by state law.

Wheat said after his sentencing that he had relied on a national fireworks publication that listed Hawai'i as having no state laws governing fireworks.

Wheat attempted to run as a Green Party candidate in the 2000 mayoral election. Party officials objected because he was not a member, and they were able to win court rulings decertifying him as a candidate.