NYC Judge Censured for 'Little Experiment' Involving Gun in Court
A state ethics commission admonished Judge Jeffrey Gershuny for attempting to deceive a police witness by swapping his pistol for a stapler during a hearing.
A New York City judge has been officially censured by a state judicial ethics commission for a "little experiment" in which he pulled out his personal firearm in court in an attempt to deceive a testifying police officer. The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct announced the decision Tuesday, admonishing Criminal Court Judge Jeffrey Gershuny for his actions on August 5, 2025.
Gershuny, then presiding in Brooklyn Criminal Court, took out his licensed SIG Sauer P365 pistol during a felony gun case hearing. He intended to demonstrate whether a police officer could identify a firearm concealed within a shopping bag. However, he secretly placed the gun on the floor and substituted a stapler in the bag, leading the court officer and a supervisor to express discomfort with his plan.
"Public confidence in the integrity of the courts depends on judges being honest and above-board," said CJC administrator Robert H. Tembeckjian. "Judge Gershuny did not abide by that standard when he engaged in an elaborate deception and essentially tried to trick a witness on a significant evidentiary matter."
According to CJC documents, Gershuny proceeded with his plan, telling the witness he was placing his gun in a shopping bag. He then questioned the officer about what he falsely represented as a firearm in the bag. The judge ultimately revealed the deception, noting that the officer had identified an "L-shaped object," which turned out to be a stapler. Gershuny then prevented the actual gun from being entered into evidence.
The incident, initially reported by The Post, led to disciplinary action from court administrators at the time. Gershuny was docked pay, demoted, and banned from carrying a firearm into courthouses. He is currently serving as a Manhattan Criminal Court judge.
The CJC report states that Gershuny fully cooperated with the investigation. In its recommendation for censure, the commission also urged court administrators to review policies regarding judges carrying weapons in courthouses.
"We hope Gershuny has learned from this experience," the CJC stated. The commission's findings emphasize the importance of judicial integrity and honesty in court proceedings.