Great-grandfather, 64, jailed for brandishing gun in family dispute

Martin Gordon, a 64-year-old great-grandfather, has been sentenced to five years in prison for brandishing a pistol during a heated argument with his granddaughter over the ashes of his late wife. The incident, which occurred at the Samson and Lion pub in Dudley and was live-streamed on Facebook, involved Gordon confronting family members, leading to his grandson waving a baseball bat in an attempt to protect his sister. Armed police apprehended Gordon less than 40 minutes after the altercation, finding him in a nearby vehicle with a magazine containing two bullets and discovering a live round at his home. Gordon pleaded guilty to charges including possession of a firearm and ammunition without a license, claiming he had acquired the gun for protection after being robbed of £200,000. West Midlands police emphasized their commitment to tackling gun crime, noting Gordon's actions were visible to the public and warranted swift police response. The case is part of broader efforts to reduce firearm offenses in the region, with over 200 guns removed from West Midlands streets last year.