Not Guilty

[Hardcast416taylor]

An 18 year old Engineering student was found not guilty yesterday of charges of "reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, public turmoil, brandishing of a weapon in a public enviromentand and failing to provide an ID to the LEO`s". The student was carrying an M-1 rifle with a full 8 round clip on his shoulder at sling arms in a Detroit suburb. The student, that happened to be the son of a retired LEO and knew his rights about Michigans "open Carry" law, took his arrest to a trial. The female prosecutor called the M-1 a "Horrible, vicious dangerous weapon" at the trial was looking for a sensational description to gain sympathy for her case. The rifle wasn`t being "brandished" about according to the 3 "Barney Fiefs" type deputies accounts nor were any threating gestures made by the student that kept the weapon on his shoulder always at sling arms. The 2nd amemnendment wasn`t brought into question nor was the NRA mentioned as aiding the accused. My hat is off to this young man and his "sand" to stand up to the ignorance of small town LEO`s that aren`t up on how to deal with a politicaly correct and lawful expression of our state laws of "Open Carry".Robert

[frank505]

Thank you Bob for the info. And thank this young man for doing this and showing what idiots there are in the "criminal justice system" .

[bowfin]

If the guy was in a suburb of Detroit, why would he be carrying an M1 Garand?

He should have had nothing less than a 1919A6:

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g184/artsmom/firearms_mg_m1919_02.jpg

[hiram1]

YA in Detroit,thay eat the meek.

[Hamish]

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120712/METRO02/207120447

A little bit of light in the tunnel.

[Stephen Cohen]

The picture displayed by Bowfin said it all, men like this faught and died for the rights you in America still have and we in Australia have lost. I say well done young fella you did your country proud.

[fixit]

didi anyone notice the media 'intelegencia' called the garand an m1 carbine?

[Bret4207]

It saddens me when I hear of alleged LEOs doing things like this. I was always told "We're supposed to be the guys in the white hats." and to make sure I knew the law before trying to enforce it. No one is 100% perfect, but garbage like this would be grounds for dismissal where I worked, at least back then.

Good for the kid and good for his LEO father for standing up!

[montana_charlie]

As for whether he will be carrying his rifle around in public again, he said "in the recent future probably not, but the rest of my life, maybe."
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120712/METRO02/207120447#ixzz20bzPh1iX
What, exactly, is "the recent future"?

Is this another instance where spell-check throws in an inappropriate word ... but this time it happened while speaking aloud?

[Bret4207]

HA! Missed that. Gotta wonder if those are his words or the reporters.

[Beau Cassidy]

Another example of how cops think they know it all. Was their a complaint to warrant their stopping and questioning Mr. Combs? Was he acting unusual and violent or were the cops just thinking that no one should be allowed to carry a gun in the open? I applaud him for not showing ID for no cause.

[Wayne Smith]

didi anyone notice the media 'intelegencia' called the garand an m1 carbine?

Yeah, I noticed that. Picture clearly shows an M1 Garand in the hands of the officer. I doubt that reporter is capable of accurately quoting anyone.

[Roundnoser]

Its not just the police. Its also the prosecutor. She had the ability, before the case even went to a preliminary hearing, withdraw the charges (even if the police objected). The DA's office made the conscious decision to prosecute the case, despite the fact that the law had not been broken. What does that tell ya?!

[ubetcha]

It's good that his rights were honored,But I have to ask the question.What was the purpose or need to carry the weapon in the first place.I know he has a right to do so,but was all the BS he when through really worth it?It's seem to me that it was done just to provoke such a incident.Just because one can,doesn't mean that it needs to be. I guess if I were a LEO I would have stopped and question his motives and also as to way he would have a need to carry such a gun,but ask him politely to please unload and put it away.At the time one does not know what his intent is.

[Char-Gar]

Slinging a fully loaded Garand over your shoulder and taking a walk down the streets is bound to get the attention of the police and the public. We don't see that on the streets very often if ever. I have never seen it. Could have been some nut, on his way to shoot up a bunch of people. What would have been said of the Police is they had looked the other way?

I think the Police should have had a chat with him. Once his peaceful intentions were established, he should have been allowed to go on his way. Even if arrested, the Prosecutor should have dismissed the charges after reviewing the facts.

I can remember two times when as a Prosecutor, I dismissed gun charges brought by Police, due to the circumstances. In West Texas we call this kind of thing a "Chicken S$%^ Bust", and no reason to stick an otherwise good citizen with a criminal record. The Police got hopping mad, but to bad about that.

[montana_charlie]

It's good that his rights were honored,But I have to ask the question.What was the purpose or need to carry the weapon in the first place.I.
According to him, he decided 'to exercise his right to carry'.

When someone decides to 'exercise his right to burn the flag', cops don't jump on him ... unless he burns down their police station.
When Occupy types exercise their right to 'peaceably assemble', cops and mayors sit back and let them trash the area ... and hinder local business.

These activities don't draw much public attention, or cries for investigation, because they are seen often enough to be 'nothing new'.

If people WOULD exercise their right to carry more often ... even if just taking the Garand and the grandkids for a stroll ... the 'populace' could come to view it as 'nothing new', too.

If cops feel it's prudent to keep an eye on a 'open carrier' to see if he plans any mischief, that is reasonable. But, they should do it from a distance, and with discretion.

CM

[bowfin]

I know he has a right to do so,but was all the BS he when through really worth it?

Apparently, he thought so. Since the Second Amendment is an individual right, he alone gets to decide if it were worth it to him.

Funny that you didn't point that question to the district attorney, asking her if it was "really worth it". Why is that?

[Wal']

How thing have changed though, back in the early 70's I would ride the school bus home with a Lee Enfield .303 with bolt & magazine fitted & my schoolbag, if we had a w/end training session with our local school Army Cadet/reserve unit.

Then, nobody would question or take the slightest notice of a kid with a fully serviceable rifle slung over his shoulder.

[ole 5 hole group]

Montana-Charlie - that was a great post!!

[Char-Gar]

If a guy comes walking up to me on the street with a loaded Garand on his shoulder, I will be checking for cover and getting ready to draw my weapon. That is just the times we live in.

Back in the day (1956) I carried a Winchester 52 on public buses to go to shooting matches and practice, but this is not that day any more. Kids were not shooting up their schools and killing their school mates. People were not walking into business and shooting everybody in sight.

Time have changed and that is just a fact.

[bowfin]

Back in the day (1956) I carried a Winchester 52 on public buses to go to shooting matches and practice, but this is not that day any more. Kids were not shooting up their schools and killing their school mates. People were not walking into business and shooting everybody in sight.

Well, there was Charlie Starkweather in 1958.


If a guy comes walking up to me on the street with a loaded Garand on his shoulder, I will be checking for cover and getting ready to draw my weapon.

For every loaded Garand on someone's shoulder, there are several thousand loaded Glocks, XDs, 1911s, and snub nosed Smith & Wessons being carried concealed. I don't worry about any of them or the kid with the Garand, or the teenaged girl driving down the street 15 mph over the speed limit while texting and fighting with her boyfriend.

I don't want to live longer if it means having to live scared.

[ubetcha]

I'm not saying that the kid was wrong on exercising his right.obviously he thought about this enough,but did not think of the consequences that might occur.All the ant's and non gun people don't need more fuel to add to their fire, along with the media's.Yes the Prosecutor did waste alto of time and tax payer money on taking this to trial on something that is a persons right to do.No I don't think it was worth the BS for the prosecutor to take to court. All that did was prove that they are anti 2 ND amendment.With all nuts and criminals out there that could care less about the 2 ND Amendments rights of other,how would one know if he was a nut or criminal or an honest law-abiding citizen exercising his right? When I want to go shooting ,I go to the gun club I belong to.But I also have neighbor that just goes in his back yard and shoots. It doesn't bother me,but it may bother other neighbors enough that they go to the town board and complain.Then we may wind up with firearm restriction regarding hunting. The Occupy people do have a right to assemble,but that does not give them the right to destroy the environment around them in the process at someone else expense.Alot of people don't realize that if any one of our constitutional rights are taken away, the rest mean nothing,because then they can be taken away also.When the President was sworn into office,he swore to uphold and protect the Constitution on the United States.That means all of it not just what they want.our current administration is failing to do that

[montana_charlie]

If a guy comes walking up to me on the street with a loaded Garand on his shoulder, I will be checking for cover and getting ready to draw my weapon. That is just the times we live in.

Time have changed and that is just a fact.
Thanks.
You made my point quite well.


I'm not saying that the kid was wrong on exercising his right.obviously he thought about this enough,but did not think of the consequences that might occur.All the ant's and non gun people don't need more fuel to add to their fire, along with the media's.
The kid handled the court case so well I suspect he DID think things through fairly thoroughly before he started out.
And, my point was that anti's and non-gun people REALLY DO need to have their fires added to. Let them burn brightly with increasing frequency and people will come to realize is is just a candle flame ... not a forest fire.

Nothing to get all fired up about ...

(Maybe even Char-Gar will learn to relax around guns ...)


CM

[Blacksmith]

If I see a guy walking around with a Garand on his shoulder I will walk up to him and start asking questions. Like did he get it from the CMP, who is the manufacturer, what is the serial number range, is it original condition, what cartouches are on the stock, .....

[9.3X62AL]

Given the state of the open carry statute in Michigan, the involved officers screwed up by the numbers and the prosecutor's office wasted a lot of staff time and resources "teaching this kid a lesson" about refusal to ID, which ultimately failed to connect. I suspect the prosecutor's office consciously decided to let the kid hire and pay for a lawyer as a "sanction" for his course of conduct, and allow the jury to decide about the matter rather than make a decision themselves. That worked poorly, also.

That said, it is a little odd in these days of schoolyard shootings to see slung rifles among mall-walkers. A concealed 1911A1 or SP101 raises a lot less fuss. The young man was well within his rights, surely--but rigid insistence on rights-of-way can still cause a collision, too.

[geargnasher]

It's good that his rights were honored,But I have to ask the question.What was the purpose or need to carry the weapon in the first place.I know he has a right to do so,but was all the BS he when through really worth it?It's seem to me that it was done just to provoke such a incident.Just because one can,doesn't mean that it needs to be. I guess if I were a LEO I would have stopped and question his motives and also as to way he would have a need to carry such a gun,but ask him politely to please unload and put it away.At the time one does not know what his intent is.

If you were an LEO you should have left him well alone unless he started threating someone with the rifle. It's none of your business, or LEO's business why he's carring a slung rifle in public. Are you going to ask a driver at random to pull their vehicle into a public parking area and put away the keys for no reason? As an LEO your job is to know and enforce the law. If none are being broken, it's your job to observe for intent and nothing else. Your thinking is the same as the DA that prosecuted this case.

Gear

[bearcove]

If you were an LEO you should have left him well alone unless he started threating someone with the rifle. It's none of your business, or LEO's business why he's carring a slung rifle in public. Are you going to ask a driver at random to pull their vehicle into a public parking area and put away the keys for no reason? As an LEO your job is to know and enforce the law. If none are being broken, it's your job to observe for intent and nothing else. Your thinking is the same as the DA that prosecuted this case.

Gear

I agree 100% with that line of thought.

Some LEO seem to think they can do as they please. I, in theory, like and respect LEO, but in reality I've been hassled for no reason. I avoid them like the plague.

[wallenba]

Back when I was a kid it was Charles Whitman up in a clock tower. But if you take note, most killers with intent to do harm carry their weapons hidden from view.

[ubetcha]

If you were an LEO you should have left him well alone unless he started threating someone with the rifle. It's none of your business, or LEO's business why he's caring a slung rifle in public. Are you going to ask a driver at random to pull their vehicle into a public parking area and put away the keys for no reason? As an LEO your job is to know and enforce the law. If none are being broken, it's your job to observe for intent and nothing else. Your thinking is the same as the DA that prosecuted this case.

Gear

Just for the sake of argument or not,what would have been the possible results if an officer had not questioned why he was carrying a rifle and the kid wound-up sniping people from a roof top somewhere?I'm sure the officer would have been crucified for not doing so.I think it is an officers responsibility to question someones intent if he considers it a possible threat.Not any different if you saw something that would be a possible threat and call the police and report such a thing and maybe save lives.If someone was breaking into your neighbor's house would you ignore it because it's not your business?

[bearcove]

You are not a threat if you are not breaking any laws or showing intent to do so.

That falls in the same catagory as arresting everyone who buys beer because they might drink and drive.

If open carry is legal, how do you justify this unless you are an ANTI-GUN democrat.

[ubetcha]

You are not a threat if you are not breaking any laws or showing intent to do so.

That falls in the same catagory as arresting everyone who buys beer because they might drink and drive.

If open carry is legal, how do you justify this unless you are an ANTI-GUN democrat.

If your referring me as an Anti-Gun Democrat,your completely wrong.And I'm not justifying the actions that the LEO'S or the prosecutor did.I'm questioning the reason the need to be carrying a rifle open if there was no need to.Did he feel that his or his girlfriends lives were in danger?My state also has an open carry law.I chose not to because I have no need or reason to.If I lived in an area of high crime ,or the possibility an animal attack, then I would.My feeling is that this kid did it just to provoke a confrontation.

[oldgeezershooter]

Clint knows!

[oneokie]

I'm questioning the reason the need to be carrying a rifle open if there was no need to. My feeling is that this kid did it just to provoke a confrontation.

Why does one have to have a NEED to do something that is allowed by law?

If the kid did it to provoke a confrontation, it brought out in public that the LEO's and Prosecutor were ignorant of the law. There is no excuse for ignorance of the law.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

law ...

[geargnasher]

Again, you insist on applying your personal estimation of "need" to another person. This is how socialists think. You think it's your business what the kid was doing with a rifle (legally carried) in public. IT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. I don't care if it upsets you that someone carries a slung rifle down the street, or concerns you, or makes you think he's just a punk proving a point, you somehow need to come to terms with the fact that if you think it's your business or LEO's business to stop and harass someone doing something legal, you're as bad as those trying to take our guns away "in the interest of public safety". Now if the guy carrying the rifle is doing something that indicates obvious mal intent, that's a totally different story.

I want you to think really hard about the contradiction between what you say and the rights you claim to support.

Gear

[geargnasher]

Most states will not even allow an 18 year old to BUY handgun ammo, much less the gun it goes into, or a permit to carry it, so ... What's an 18 year old gonna carry? A stick? Not if he was just given a rifle!

I carry a handgun because I can, and it is a lot easier for me, but he was not allowed to, and as a law abiding citizen he did what was within the law ...

I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy. I carry a gun in case I need to shoot something, but that's none of anyone's business but mine. I also carry a Swiss Army knife everywhere I go (I don't fly) in case I need to cut something. Yes, it has a can opener and a corkscrew, who knows? might need it. But again just because I carry tools that are strange to someone else or can see no practical use/need for does NOT give them the right to stop me and ask what my intent is.

"Those who would trade freedom for security deserve neither".

Gear

[montana_charlie]

I'm questioning the reason the need to be carrying a rifle open if there was no need to.
It's fine to be curious about thigs you see, and it's okay to wonder why a kid just passed you on the street carrying a rifle on his shoulder. But, if you tapped the nearest cop on the shoulder and asked him to go check out that kid ... just in case ... you just violated his personal privacy.

On the other hand, if the cop said you should mind your own business, you would probably think that was disrespectful, coming from a public servant. You might even complain to his boss. But, he would simply be refusing to overstep his authority at your request.

All of this would stem from the fact that YOU don't happen to know why a kid carried his rifle through town ... and YOU decided to disregard the local ordinances (which he and YOU live under) that say it is his legal right to do so without any requirement to satisfy YOUR curiosity.

BUT, if you are saying that, because YOU don't see any valid reason, he should be prevented from engaging in that activity ... then YOU need some quick courses in personal liberties AND minding your own business.

CM

[6mm250]

A cop has no business stopping anyone engaged in a legal activity. This is no different than a cop making a traffic stop for no probable cause & interrogating the driver , "Show me your DL" , "Where are you going ?" , "Why are you going there?" , etc....


Mike

[bearcove]

If your referring me as an Anti-Gun Democrat,your completely wrong.And I'm not justifying the actions that the LEO'S or the prosecutor did.I'm questioning the reason the need to be carrying a rifle open if there was no need to.Did he feel that his or his girlfriends lives were in danger?My state also has an open carry law.I chose not to because I have no need or reason to.If I lived in an area of high crime ,or the possibility an animal attack, then I would.My feeling is that this kid did it just to provoke a confrontation.

I'll say it as simple as I can.

I AM A FREE MAN AND I WILL DO AS I PLEASE WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE LAW.

IF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE DON'T LIKE IT, PISS OFF!

[bearcove]

And if that was what that boy was saying, I say we should raise money to help pay his legal fees.

He had balls enough to do what he wanted to do as a citizen of the USA.

[frankenfab]

Gearnasher, Montana Charlie, and bearcove:

I salute you!

You guys are awesome!

[waksupi]

I feel sorry for you guys living in occupied territories. If the cops spent their time looking into every long arm seen on the streets here during hunting season, they would have no time to answer the reports of the loose cattle on Reserve Drive, or the turkeys blocking Woodland Avenue. If you are the kind who hides his legal activities, you are responsible for your own rights being violated when something like this occurs. You have effectively been castrated by the liberals. Turn in your jock strap, and report to the camp.

[geargnasher]

If a guy comes walking up to me on the street with a loaded Garand on his shoulder, I will be checking for cover and getting ready to draw my weapon. That is just the times we live in.

Back in the day (1956) I carried a Winchester 52 on public buses to go to shooting matches and practice, but this is not that day any more. Kids were not shooting up their schools and killing their school mates. People were not walking into business and shooting everybody in sight.

Time have changed and that is just a fact.

Times have changed because people who hold such opinions continue to tolerate it. The wrong lesson has been learned from these shootings. Have you noticed how much gun control legislation has been passed since 1956, and how these shootings have progressed since? If law-abiding gun owners excercised their right to carry and made a lot of noise and public display of it, it would be the criminals, punks, and misfits cowering in their homes rather than honest men.

If good people don't develop the attitude of "Good day, how are you? I'm great as long as you don't !#$!@# with me because I'll shoot you dead if you do. Take care, now", then the criminals will continue to rule and the populace will continue to clamor for more protection, not having the personal fortitude to care for any sacrifice of rights and responsibility. Basically either we make a stand and excercise our rights, or give it all up and let the cops, robbers, and politicians try to do it for us.

Gear

[Bret4207]

It's fine to be curious about thigs you see, and it's okay to wonder why a kid just passed you on the street carrying a rifle on his shoulder. But, if you tapped the nearest cop on the shoulder and asked him to go check out that kid ... just in case ... you just violated his personal privacy.

On the other hand, if the cop said you should mind your own business, you would probably think that was disrespectful, coming from a public servant. You might even complain to his boss. But, he would simply be refusing to overstep his authority at your request.

All of this would stem from the fact that YOU don't happen to know why a kid carried his rifle through town ... and YOU decided to disregard the local ordinances (which he and YOU live under) that say it is his legal right to do so without any requirement to satisfy YOUR curiosity.

BUT, if you are saying that, because YOU don't see any valid reason, he should be prevented from engaging in that activity ... then YOU need some quick courses in personal liberties AND minding your own business.

CM

But that's not how it works Charlie. You make a complaint and it has to be investigated. Stupid complaints outnumber legitimate complaints by far. So if you get a complaint and don't investigate it you're negligent in your duties. The cops personal views on gun control or anything aren't supposed to enter into it. That doesn't mean the cop has to be abusive or make an arrest, but a simple query as to who, what, where and why is what is supposed to happen. Then if there's no issue, you thank the guy for his time, explain that some whiner got scared and wish the kid a nice day and good shooting.

No matter what the kids rights are, unusual behavior of most any kind is going to get called in. If that kid had been plastered and had just had fight with his girlfriend and was going to settle things up then the cops would have maybe saved a life. I don't agree at all with how it was handled, but you can't read minds and ignoring something is as bad as overreacting. Kind of a catch 22 thing.

[kenyerian]

Times have changed. in the 60's our junior High school had a rifle team and we all carried our target rifles on the bus. we all carried pocket knives. If you wanted to go hunting with your buddies after school you just brought your gun with you. We did have to check them in at the office and they had to be in a gun case. Now days you can get expelled if you have a small pen knife on you.

[shooterg]

He did not need a REASON because he has a RIGHT !

[1Shirt]

Well, guess I agree with both Gear and Bret if that is possible. The kid proved a point, but was it worth it?
1Shirt!

[oneokie]

“A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity”. Sigmund
Freud

[sundog]

Correct, it is a common trait of damaged DNA, commonly displayed by libs.

[popper]

I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy Love it! Buddie and I carried a 30-30 and Rem 66 to the old quarry ~ 2 mi right down main st. in an urban area, early '50s. No problem, open carry state, but NO-ONE asked anything; it wasn't common. Got handcuffed to the bus seat by a friend carrying a 357 python, mid '50s. I got mad cause he wouldn't unlock the cuffs - when he finally did, I decked him (at school, teachers had to wake him up, found he was carrying, principal get involved )evidently he took his dad's equipment out of the house, we were both well under 16. Greek, Italian and Israeli military used to carry all the time - downtown Rome and Athens. Open carry right - fine. If I see one coming, I'll cross the street just like I do for drunks. If I saw a kid carrying a rifle up the tower in an admin building, I'd call the cops, but it probably wouldn't change the outcome much. Both sides need some common sense, but the country seems to be short of that now. IMHO, at the incident, both sides did what was needed. It should have gone down like this, laws or no,' whatcha doing with that rifle? is it loaded? Safety on? Is it yours?' - I'm showing my RIGHTS, yes, yes,yes.' - 'OK, you proved your point, now unload it, put it up so no-one gets hurt.'

[Reload3006]

its a far cry from the day when I was in High School I used to bring my shotgun in case and ammo on the school bus took it to the principles office where a buddy and I went pheasant hunting after school. I did this often. no one ever gave it a second thought. Today I would be sent straight to jail no passing go on collecting 200 dollars!!!

[BoolitSchuuter]

Several years ago, a good friend and coworker had a discussion about "Assault weapons". This occurred at the time when the ban was about to sunset. He wanted me to justify my "need" to own an assault weapon and I fell into his trap. I explained in detail my understanding of the 2nd amendment and how it was my right and his right yada, yada... I finally realized I was never going to justify my right as long as i accepted his premise that a right needs justification.
This young man has the right to openly carry that rifle in a reasonable and peaceful manner. No one has the right to force him to justify it as long as he is doing so. That is apparently the law in Michigan as it is also in Missouri. I would have responded in a like manner.

Just my 2 cents and worth every penny you paid for it. :bigsmyl2:

[montana_charlie]

But that's not how it works Charlie. You make a complaint and it has to be investigated.
Excuse me, Officer. Do you see that driver up the street pulling an empty motorcycle trailer behind his car? I can't see any need to pull an empty trailer, so could you go check him out ... in case he plans to use that trailer to steal a motorcycle?

Excuse me, Officer. There is a pickup on the next street that has a freshly painted topper on the back, and the topper's windows are still covered with masking tape. I can't think of any good reason for leaving tape on the windows, so I got to thinking ...
Maybe the new paint is to cover up bloodstains, and the tape keeps people from seeing inside.
Could you go see if there is a dead body in that pickup?

Excuse me, Officer. One of my neighbors bought his son a hot rod and parked it in their driveway. The kid is too young for a license, but he comes out and starts the engine every day and shuts it off after a few minutes.
I see no reason for him to keep it ready for use at a moment's notice, so I fear he might go for a drive and endanger somebody.

Excuse me, Officer ...

[ErikO]

I'd rather see an M1 shouldered than a Hi-Point in a waistband.

This is something that could be done in my neighborhood as long as you don't walk three blocks north, two blocks east or a quarter mile south. MO has dumb firearms law precidence laws...

[Bret4207]

Exactly Charlie, and believe me, your scenarios aren't far out at all. I spent a lot of years listening to that krap and having to go bother people and explain that the dipwad down the road thought such and such was dangerous or illegal or whatever and that all I needed was a name and DOB from the person I talked to and advised that his dipwad neighbor had his panties in a wad. Welcome to life in America, 2012, where the squeaky wheel gets greased ASAP. I agree much of it makes no sense, but you have to be nice about telling people that their complaint is the result of their obvious stupidity and, of course, the bean counters need the names attached to a complaint to prove what a great job we do...or don't do depending on the political climate.

I don't see this changing any time soon.

[oneokie]

Exactly Charlie, and believe me, your scenarios aren't far out at all. I spent a lot of years listening to that krap and having to go bother people and explain that the dipwad down the road thought such and such was dangerous or illegal or whatever
I don't see this changing any time soon.

Did you go back to the "dipwad" and inform them that the reported activity was legal?

[FISH4BUGS]

Its not just the police. Its also the prosecutor. She had the ability, before the case even went to a preliminary hearing, withdraw the charges (even if the police objected). The DA's office made the conscious decision to prosecute the case, despite the fact that the law had not been broken. What does that tell ya?!

....is that I would have a lawyer in their face and suing them for millions.......This is pure tripe. These people need to be slapped hard.

[ubetcha]

Well I see the more I try and explain my reasons for suspicion the more I'm digging myself into a hole,so I will tell you why.Several years ago,my wife and I were awaken in the middle of the night by a noisy pick-up truck parked by the farmer barn just across the road from my house.My wife and I watched the truck for awhile and did not notice anything out of the ordinary.So we went back to bed.A few days later, someone find a woman body about a 1/2 mile down the road.Now did this murder happen in that truck? I don't know.But we were MINDING OUR BUSINESS and did not call the Sheriff Department.IF we would have called and if that murder did happen in that truck that night,Maybe the woman would still be alive today because we DIDN"T MIND OUR OWN BUSINESS.That night is alway in the back of my mind and that why I'm sometime suspicious.SO I will stop digging my hole deeper.I'm not saying that the kid did not have right to open carry and I respect him for doing so.I'm saying when one see something that's a possible situation,it needs looking into. The End

[geargnasher]

If there was an LEO assigned to follow every citizen of the country every second of the day, crime would fall to zero. Are you advocating that?

There is a fine line between freedom and security. I think many of us are pointing out that there are an infinite number of "possible situations" at any momenent that could turn out to be criminal, and that if you take exception to a person who is RESPONSIBLY excercising a constitutional right that is also specifically granted (ohh, I HATE it when "rights" are "granted" by local law) by the jurisdiction, you must take the same exception to all others, including the street corner evangelist, the vegan/PETA group picketing the local meat market, the car with the Vote Obama bumper sticker, women and blacks in a voting booth, etc.

In his closing remarks in the supreme court trial of the people vs. Larry Flynt, Flynt's attorney reminded the court that the whole trial wasn't a debate over morality, even HE didn't approve of what Flynt did for a living, but it was about his RIGHT to do it and that the people had no right to stop him. You have to be careful when considering the rights of the people, and just where you draw the line, because there are serious implications. Lots of people rightfully do all sorts of things that I don't approve of, but it is their right as long as it doesn't hurt me.

Gear

[Bret4207]

Did you go back to the "dipwad" and inform them that the reported activity was legal?

Yes, that would be the part about, "...but you have to be nice about telling people that their complaint is the result of their obvious stupidity...". Sometimes you have to be less than nice. It doesn't matter if it's guns or kids or lawn mowers or someones barbeque- someone will complain eventually and you get to point out what petty, self centered morons they really are for bother their neighbors over such tripe...politely of course.

[clintsfolly]

I live about 90 miles from Detroit and the last time I was there I felt under gunned with a 1911 45acp with 2mags. My brother had to stop for gas and after we got back on the road i told him (You ever drive past Brighton with less then a 1/2 tank of gas I will never go with you again!!!!). So weather he was right or wrong I understand the want to have a rifle. Clint

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

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