He created “fear” by walking around with a gun, while obeying the law. Are these same people that are freaked out by that, bothered by police carrying guns? Or does the addition of the uniform change that fear into appreciation?
Pretty funny how 4 police officers showed up, one even with his rifle out. All for a guy going about his business completely within the law.
Quote from police officer:
We don’t know if you came and showed up with a loaded gun, or not a loaded gun
My reaction –> :roll:
It is reported that Walter Stanley was carrying two full “Clips” of ammo. I only saw a couple of magazines. Maybe he had some clips for his SKS or something in his pocket? :lol:
In the 2nd “extra” video, the police seemed courteous as usual. I don’t really like the way the officer handled the gun, and I don’t think the fact that ABC broadcast Walter Stanley’s serial # to the entire world is the best idea either.
Stay tuned for more uneventful open carry reports and videos.
Original ABC News article – HERE
Hat Tip: SayUncle
Comments
18 responses to “Open carry – Still not hurting anyone”
“Put your hands over your head”
“Put that down”
Huh?
He should get one of those Spy Pens instead of trying to use the large camera. It would help with confusion like that.
I also carry a voice recorder with me when I OC, you can get them pretty cheap at Radio Shack.
Yea that camera looks kind of awkward. Good idea on the voice recorder and spy pen.
Boy, things sure are different here in West Virginia.
Hey this is slightly off-topic, but could you elaborate on the whole serial number thing? I have seen people blur that out in photos before and I do it too, but I’m not clear what the concern is, exactly.
Basically if someone wanted to be an idiot they could make life real difficult for you if your gun serial # ended up on on the ATF list of stolen guns. You would definitely have a difficult time getting it off of there. In fact I would be willing to bet it would be next to impossible unless you happened to have the original receipt from when you purchased it (if you purchased it from a store).
What’s the point of this when you can’t have it loaded? Can loaded clips be carried on your person, but not in the gun? Anyhow, people get way too jumpy about these things. If someone was around with a piece on his side, my first reaction would be, “neat, but why are you carrying that around?”. Ask questions, but feel the guy out, and remain calm. Decide for yourself if it’s an issue. These bay area lemmings get panicky, and call authorities because they are uncomfortable with the sight of it. Thier safety zone has been disturbed. Yeah, I know there are alot of head cases out there, but I think they are more likely to conceal thiers, and you’d never see it in the first place. No significant difference in how they would behave. But what I really want to know is, how are things different in West Virginia?
Ray,
Correct, in CA you can have an empty magazine in the gun if you want, and you can open carry fully loaded magazines. Swap the empty one for the loaded one when/if you need it.
I agree people are WAY too jumpy. Like you said, a criminal isn’t likely to open carry a gun so it’s a perfect example of another rule only meant to inconvenience law abiding citizens.
I am not sure on the intricacies of carry law in West VA.
Ray — West Virginia is not only a shall-issue state, but open-carry is permitted with loaded weapons here, and is commonly done. At least, around where I live, Berkeley County, I’ve never seen the cops come out loaded for bear when someone open carries…personally, I don’t even look twice. And it definitely doesn’t make the local news when someone does it. Pretty much the diametric opposite of the Bay Area, it seems.
He could wear one or two running cameras on a lanyard around his neck, with one facing front and one to the rear.
I wish I could say that would be unnecessary. The reality is, the more carefully the event is documented, likely the more success that person would have fighting a bullshit open carry charge in court.
I assume it’s allegal to carry concealed in CA? Can someone confirm? I recognize the the OC doesn’t allow you to have the weapon loaded. Since you are allowed to carry magazines not attached to the gun or holster would it make more sense to carry the gun without a clip in it to improve load time and response when and if the gun was actually needed?
For concealed carry in CA you need to be a resident, there is no reciprocity from other states. http://www.ag.ca.gov/firearms/pubfaqs.php#3
You’re right, carrying without a magazine would definitely save the step of ejecting your empty magazine. Good in theory because under stress your fine motor skills will definitely suffer if you’re not conditioned. My guess is people don’t do this mainly due to fear of debris getting into the exposed magwell. There are probably also some who don’t because for appearance sake, carrying an “empty” gun definitely doesn’t look cool.
Yep, keep up the pressure Michigan and all your gun groups – get the word out. It is the only way to fight back, with education.
I agree. Leaving your gun at home, and not exercising your rights isn’t going to do anything for open carry or concealed carry. Gun owners in every state should realize this.
I’m sorry, but that state is beyond help. An individual carrying a firearm in a holster isn’t going to be the one you need to worry about.
Yea California is definitely waist deep in bad gun laws. You never know though, maybe through open carry demonstrations and non incidents such as this one, the public might eventually come to their senses and realize it’s the criminals we have to worry about, not the regular law abiding citizen with a gun.
I am glad I live in FL when I can carry my fully loaded, concealed weapons without issue and WITH reciprocity in like 33 other state – CA not being one…
The cop with the rifle looked like he was going to cream his pants with excitement, untill he was shown the handgun was unloaded then he got this ‘Oh darn I don’t get to dump a mag in someone” look.
LOL yea he totally did have that look.