If we actually lived in "The land of the free and the home of the brave", this would be a non-issue. Instead we live in a nanny state over run by a bunch of busy bodies.
Carlos Reed is standing up for our rights. He and other like him are heros. He has committed no crime. His rights ARE being infringed to make scare people that try to exercise their rights.
If the people and the police were actually educated, we would never hear about things like this. If the police responded in a way that actually respected his rights, the public would get a proper education. Instead, the police perpetuate the public ignorance. The police response teaches the public that we do not have a right to keep and bear arms.
As much as I think this guy is strange, he is pushing the envelope and trying to open people's eyes that what he did is perfectly legal. What the LEO's did was not. Threatening manner? I call BS on that. The defendant is absolutely right, that is the proper and safe way to carry a rifle, and you will see police when they are carrying their AR's, carry it in the same manner.
I hope this guy gets off on all charges, gets his weapons back, and sues the city police department for breach of his 4th amendment rights.
I'm not sure about Maine, but in most OC states, a LEO may not detain you for the sole purpose of OCing. That's what happened here. Any ME residents know the law about being detained and OCing?
Then who would be at fault if Maine were to abolish OC after these types of cases where citizens are carrying 120rds of ammo, and AR and looking for LEO encounters? If I knew NOTHING of the 2nd Amendment, CC or OC and went about as another sheep in this world as many do, I would think a case like this should ramp up more gun control.
I would also like to point out that the cops responding to this guy is taking the Leo's away from other duties and responses. What makes it worse is that the encounters are welcomed and he has no issue creating them. Soooooo how in the world does that educate the public?
Sent from my hand-held mind distractor
All you have to do is look at what open carry got them in California. A bunch of folks went around shoving open carry in people's faces and got their right to do so taken away.
Who would be at fault? The rest of the gun rights supporters in Maine who did nothing to support this guy and educate the rest of the population. The fault would also lie with the police and politicians who help promote disinformation regarding our gun rights. OTOH, the police and politicians do what they do because they don't get enough heat from the other gun right supporters in Maine. So in each case the fault falls on the gun rights supporters who are not getting out and education their friends and neighbors.
The police and police dispatchers should be the ones educating the public. When a call comes in, the dispatchers should be asking some pointed questions of the caller to find out if there is an actual threat and not just a guy walking around doing NOTHING illegal.
All I have to do is look around in public any day of the week. OC is legal and common here in the great and free state of Arizona. Our population is educated and if anyone calls in about stuff like this, the police dispatchers find out if there is a real problem and educate the caller if there is not.
Like it our not, this guy is fighting all of our fight. We can either stick together fighting for ALL of our 2nd amendment rights or we will loose them all a little at a time. We've already lost too many as it is. We need to fight back hard or at least support those people who are.
Police say gun-toting man poses threat to Portland | The Morning Sentinel, Waterville, ME
Well this is an interesting one. Exercising his rights? He's exercising confrontations and admits it. Does this provide education to the general public about responsible carry practices? IMHO, he makes us all look like bung-holes. This isn't advocacy. What he is demonstrating is actually hurting the open carry crowd in Maine and everywhere else for that matter.
On a side note, this practice would be frowned upon anywhere in the State let alone Portland where the Chief is pro gun-control.
S.........M.........H
Well I wish he'd fight for our rights without using hypodermic needles. And since when does walking around at night with body armor, 120rds of ammo and a rifle at low ready do anything for gun rights? If I met this individual on the street I sure as hell wouldn't have the warm and fuzzies as he approached me. Body armor and low ready.....really??
Sent from my hand-held mind distractor
He was detained in regards to a 'threatening display of a weapon' which is a statute in Maine. He can't be detained solely for OC. His low ready posture of his openly carried rifle is enough for that statute to come into play and he can be stopped.
Sent from my hand-held mind distractor
I'm just curious now. How would one carry a rifle in ME that does not get the LE riled up to think that the carry method was considered "threatening"? The low ready carry style is taught in many venues as a safe way to carry.
Its a position that is ready for engagement. Do you carry your pistol low ready? Of course not. That's how someone would be stopped for brandishing or whatever a specific State has for a statute. Coupled with body armor and at least 4 loaded mags this guy is just protesting. And at the end of the day who is going to have the bigger voice? Suzie Soccer Mom.
Sent from my hand-held mind distractor
Then who would be at fault if Maine were to abolish OC after these types of cases where citizens are carrying 120rds of ammo, and AR and looking for LEO encounters? If I knew NOTHING of the 2nd Amendment, CC or OC and went about as another sheep in this world as many do, I would think a case like this should ramp up more gun control.
I would also like to point out that the cops responding to this guy is taking the Leo's away from other duties and responses. What makes it worse is that the encounters are welcomed and he has no issue creating them. Soooooo how in the world does that educate the public?
Sent from my hand-held mind distractor
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