Cops arrest legal gun owners exercising their Constitutional rights.

[Domeguy]

The three men behind an “open carry” demonstration conducted outside of a San Antonio Starbucks are each facing charges of “disorderly conduct” because some observers reportedly complained about the stunt.

The group posted video of the entire demonstration, which included a disagreement with police officers, on YouTube. The men were seemingly well within their rights.


(YouTube)

(YouTube)
Under Texas law, open carrying a rifle is not illegal as long as the gun is not loaded.

But San Antonio police Chief William McManus told KENS-TV that gun owners can still be charged with disorderly conduct if anyone feels threatened at any point during a demonstration. In other words, if anyone around you is uncomfortable with firearms, you could technically be charged with a crime.

“It’s a disorderly offense that officers will address accordingly,” the police chief said.

Video | News | Weather | Sports

Thu Aug 29 16:24:41 PDT 2013
MEN WITH RIFLES CHARGED IN ’OPEN CARRY’ DEMONSTRATION AT STARBUCKS
A controversial YouTube video captures an alleged disorderly conduct case. The video shows three men, who were carrying assault rifles, sitting outside a San Antonio Starbucks. view full article
KENS-TV has more details on the demonstration:

The 23-minute video was posted the YouTube on Aug. 24. It shows three men sitting outside a San Antonio Starbucks displaying rifles. Several passersby stop and talk to the men. At least one woman stops to take video on her cell phone.

Police eventually showed up after they received a call from a woman who claimed she was “freaked out” by the display of weapons.p Officers approached the men, questioned them about the situation and told the gun holders they needed to leave.

The suspects were placed under what’s called a non-custodial arrest, which means they were charged with a crime but were not taken into custody.

The men do not appear to be belligerent or aggressive in the video.

“Gotta love open carry,” one of the men says.

Another man says they are merely choosing to “enjoy” their “freedoms.” However, it didn’t take long for police to intervene and break up the gathering.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

watched the whole thing. That was sad, granted sitting around at starbucks with your ARs and shotguns is an "eye catcher". They took the time to try and call ahead even, used some common courtesy. But to get written up for disorderly conduct is complete and utter bullshit. Oh, "what's the serial # on your gun..........so we can check and see if it's stolen or not" WTFO? These guys were straight up law abiding hard core citizens, sucks to do the right thing I guess.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

To make matters worse I watched another Youtube post where they arrested an active duty guy who was doing a 10 mile hike with his son for his Eagle scout, this is FUBAR...............http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8r4MK3R4PI ...................you just have to watch it to understand. I'd let his son kick the fat guy in the nuts for hours while I drank beer just for fun.

[Gunfixr]

Something similar happened here in Hopewell, VA recently. There's been a big movement all over about standing on overpasses holding signs over the side that can be seen by motorists passing underneath.
A guy in Hopewell who was doing this with some others was open carrying a handgun in a holster, and an AR-15 slung on his back. Open carry is legal in VA. He had the rifle unloaded, with no magazine and the bolt locked back.
Without any warning, several officers showed, got out guns drawn and pointed at the man, and basically did the "felony stop", had him walking backward hands up, etc. They threw his rifle around, damaging it, and kept him locked up for a couple hours, and then released him without charges.
He had violated no laws whatsoever. Waiting to see how this shakes out.

[Kodiak]

The problem is there are too many nut jobs running around shooting innocent people, so I understand when people get scared when they see guys carrying AR's in public. Though these particular guys are probably law abiding citizens, who says the next guy you see with an AR is?

[Domeguy]

The problem is there are too many nut jobs running around shooting innocent people, so I understand when people get scared when they see guys carrying AR's in public. Though these particular guys are probably law abiding citizens, who says the next guy you see with an AR is?

I agree with you Kodiak. I know there guys were just trying to prove a point, but the people around them didn't know that. I also agree with BWRR. It wasn't illegal, and they were having a quiet peaceful protest, and even tried to let the authorities know ahead of time.
I now realize what my father meant when he complained about the Left trying to take away his guns, even the antique guns. My dad used to say it, and now I do too. "They will have to pry my gun out from my cold, dead fingers"
As for not knowing if that person carrying a gun walking towards you has good intentions or not, that is why I wear this shirt.

[Gunfixr]

A shirt with words on it won't mean a thing to police, especially those responding to a "man with a gun" call.
Neither will it to most of the general public. If America would/could read, then they wouldn't be blindly following every word coming out of the mouths of the MSM on tv.

[greg48]

A person has gotta wonder at what point do the "police" question their objectives?

[helomech]

Cops should be fired if this is true. You can not arrest someone because someone else is offended. Heck they should not have even bothered these guys, that they knew where carrying legally. Just because someone is displaying a firearm legally does not give the cops the right to mess with them.

The one that happened in Texas, I believe those cops will be fired, and the department will pay large amounts of money.

[ak474u]

Cops should be fired if this is true. You can not arrest someone because someone else is offended. Heck they should not have even bothered these guys, that they knew where carrying legally. Just because someone is displaying a firearm legally does not give the cops the right to mess with them.

The one that happened in Texas, I believe those cops will be fired, and the department will pay large amounts of money.

All this in a state where most cops won't arrest someone for threats of violence... "Ok ma'am, if your husband does beat you up, or kill you, give us a call". In Dallas, they'll arrest you for having a long gun in your vehicle. Of course, they'll also pay you lots of money, but you get a taxpayer funded meal or 2 before they release you. When I was broke, and my CHL expired, I carried my mossy folder in the truck (before the legal gun in car without a license law was passed). A cop customer and I were talking guns, and he said... "Don't carry that thing in Dallas, they'll arrest you, I know its legal, and so do they, but you'll be arrested. You'll be a rich criminal when you get out, they get sued all the time for it".

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