Another Local Boy Makes Good?
Easton boys have “made good” in the past. George Taylor signed the Declaration of Independence. George Wolf was the 7th Governor of Pennsylvania and was dubbed “The Father of America’s Public School System”. Larry Holmes was an undefeated heavyweight boxing champion in the late ‘70s.
Former Eastonian Bryan Malinowski was on his way to joining those illustrious “homeboys”. Bryan turned humble little A-B-E Airport into Lehigh Valley International Airport. He then moved to Little Rock where he expanded its airport into “Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport”. Bryan was the guy to rescue your failing airport and bring it fame and fortune.
Unfortunately, Bryan was also a “go to” guy for illegal weapons. The ATF’s curiosity was piqued when they discovered that he purchased more than 150 guns between May 2021 and February 2024. Of course, the ATF didn’t act upon it. Bryan’s 2nd amendment rights allow him to buy five guns per month over 30 months. That’s what the Founding Fathers intended.
Then those pesky Canadians had to poke their noses into the situation. The case against him began when Canadian police officials received a photograph of weapons from a confidential informant. The serial numbers of some of the firearms were visible and passed to the ATF, who were able to trace multiple weapons back to Malinowski. Six of the weapons were recovered after being linked to a crime, while three others were purchased during undercover operations.
“We can’t look bad to our Neighbors From The North. We should look into this. Holy Cow! This upstanding American patriot claimed that he purchased every one of those 150 guns for “personal use.” Let’s get a search warrant.”
When ATF agents knocked on Bryan’s door, they were greeted with a hail of gunfire. In the ensuing firefight, Bryan was fatally wounded and one ATF agent suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Bryan’s family responded exactly as patriotic 2nd amendment fans would. “We do not understand the government’s decisions which led to a dawn raid on a private home and triggered the use of deadly force. At worst, Bryan Malinowski, a gun owner and gun enthusiast, stood accused of making private firearm sales to persons who may not have been legally entitled to purchase the guns.”
Even in Arkansas, it must be illegal to fire away at G-men who identify themselves and present a search warrant. Or maybe not.
There are Pennsylvania Historical Plaques in Easton for George Taylor and Governor Wolf. There will be one for Larry Holmes some day. I doubt if there will be one for Bryan Malinowski.
By Ed Dufton
