Mathias files motion to dismiss gun charges on school grounds

An update tonight on a story Local 4 News was first to tell you about back in January about a Davenport man who distributed white supremacist fliers on several occasions around the Quad-Cities.    

Local 4 News was in Scott County court this afternoon when James Mathias appeared for a pre-trial hearing on a felony charge of carrying a gun at Brady Street Stadium, where he was distributing the fliers.    

We asked Mathias if he has had anyone get in touch with his group as a result of the fliers and what led him to his white-supremacist beliefs.    

Mathias declined to offer any comment.    

Mathias’ attorney has filed a motion to dismiss the charges against his client, based on the premise that the stadium, while owned by the school district, is not a school, therefore should not be subject to the ban on guns.    

The motion, obtained by Local 4 News argues that Mathias, who has a conceal and carry permit, would be allowed to carry his gun while driving an ice cream truck or attend a sports activity at a local park.  

Mathias was banned a few years ago from the Hawkeye Tap for failing to comply with management requests to not bring his gun inside the bar.  

His neighbors have reported that he even mows his lawn carrying his gun.  According to the Southern Poverty Law Center — a group that tracks hate-group activity — Mathias has been named as a major donor to one of the nation’s leading white supremacist groups.