Hunter Stoe was a nursing student at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown campus. He is also a firefighter at New Baltimore Fire Department #55 as well as a K-9 handler on the Search and Rescue Team. Hunter had a federally signed permit that allowed him to carry a gun for Search and Rescue calls. On November 16th, Hunter went out to lunch with a few friends for a birthday lunch and to have some much needed stress relief from that current week of exams. Prior to leaving with his two friends for lunch, the trio had gone to his dorm to relax and grab coats before venturing out to the Chinese restaurant. While in the dorm room, one of the friends who was present in the room asked him what the box in his duffle bag was for. Hunter removed the box from the duffle bag, placed it on his bed, and opened the box to reveal a Search and Rescue pistol. The friend, whom had claimed that they had prior experience with guns, became visually very uncomfortable and asked for the three to leave and go to lunch. Hunter placed the unloaded safety gun back in its case, safely locked it and replaced it in the duffel bag under his bed. The trio went out to lunch to Lychee restaurant in Johnstown and then returned to campus in Hunter's car. The three split up and went about the rest of their days. The evening of November 17th, Hunter was greeted at his door by the Chief of Campus Police. The Chief asked where the pistol was in his dorm room and Hunter willingly told the officer as well as showed him that the gun was unloaded, kept in a gun-safe container, and was not used as a threat weapon. Hunter was suspended that night and was asked to leave campus without any further notifications to what was happening. This past Monday, Hunter was expelled on notifications that he was a danger to the students on campus. Hunter was stripped of his licenses, was expelled from his college and removed from his nursing program along with a slew of other consequences. Hunter did not deserve to be expelled under these circumstances as was the case wrongfully done. Hunter has never had any other offense and was misunderstood by the friend in his intentions. This pistol was solely for Search and Rescue purposes. Not to be a weapon or threat to anyone on campus. This petition is to get Hunter a second chance at coming back to the nursing program and also getting him his medical licenses back as well as his position on the search team. Please help Hunter. This is a young man who has so much going for him and deserves a second chance at creating a good career for himself in Nursing as well as continuing to help and sere his community and many others as a firefighter and Rescue personnel. HELP US BRING HUNTER BACK!!!!!
