Tag Archives: open carry

Featured, Gun Rights, States Rights, US

Oklahoma Senate Passes Constitutional Carry Bill

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Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Senate passed concealed carry, or “constitutional carry,” legislation that would allow Oklahoma residents who are 21 and older, as well as military personnel 18 and older and legally eligible to own a firearm, to concealed carry their gun. The passage of Senate Bill 1212 would remove the current requirement of obtaining a concealed carry permit in order to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense and follows the Oklahoma House approving the legislation in a 59-28 vote on April 25.

The Senate passed the legislation by a 33-9 vote, according to a report by The Hill. Tulsa World reported that state Sen. Nathan Dahm (R), the author of the bill, said the legislation would have no effect on locations that have banned firearms such as governmental buildings and schools, and that “the bill would still require a background check currently required to purchase a firearm.” The Norman Transcript notes that “under current law, Oklahomans who are legally able to purchase a firearm are required to attend an eight-hour training course, undergo an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) background check, and be fingerprinted and photographed if they’re not already in the state system.”

A report from the Associated Press noted that “A background check would still be required before a person could purchase a firearm and handguns would remain prohibited in places where they are currently banned, including elementary schools, colleges, universities and government buildings. The bill also excludes anyone prohibited by state or federal law from owning a weapon as well as those convicted of assault and battery, domestic abuse, violating a protective order or drug crimes.” The AP also referred to a statement from Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation that announced the bill would remove “the training requirement for carrying a firearm as well as an extensive background check process that includes mental health and court records.”

Breitbart reported that “State Sen. Kevin Matthews (D-11) opposed the legislation, arguing that people should be required to obtain a permit for a gun, similar to obtaining a license to drive a car. Dahm refuted Matthews “by pointing out that the Second Amendment protects a constitutional right to bear arms, not a constitutional right to drive cars.”

Currently, there are twelve states that have passed legislation to abolish permitting requirements to concealed carry a firearm, including Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming, and West Virginia. Breitbart reports that the majority of Montana and Arkansas recognize constitutional carry as well.

According to a report by Breitbart News:

FBI figures published by the NRA show that Alaska’s handgun murder rate “declined after the state enacted permitless carry in 2003.” Moreover, in the years since Alaska’s permit requirement was abolished “handgun murders have declined as a percentage of the total number of murders.”

A drop in handgun murders also took place in Arizona after that state abolished its concealed carry permit requirement in 2010. And in Wyoming–which abolished its permit requirement in 2011–handgun murders have declined as well.

The bill to eliminate carry permits is now at the desk of Republican Gov. Mary Fallin. Tulsa World reported that “Fallin, a Second Amendment supporter, signed legislation to allow open carry of firearms but has previously vetoed gun bills.”

Government Accountability, Gun Rights, Opinion, Police Accountability

ABOUR: Why Didn’t Open Carry Apply To Tamir Rice?

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Ohio is one of the 30 states that allows open carry without a permit throughout the state. When a state has an open carry policy, it allows its citizens to carry guns in public without fear of being arrested, let alone killed.

So why did the open carry rule not apply to Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old who was in possession of a toy gun at a park? Within two seconds at the scene, Cleveland Police officer Timothy Loehmann shot and killed Rice. Many through social media have argued that because Rice was a minor, the open carry rule does not apply to children because they shouldn’t be in possession of guns. However, Loehmann told the dispatcher that Rice looked “maybe 20.” With that presumption, why didn’t Loehmann respect the open carry law in Ohio? Was it because Rice was a black male? Rice was never even given an opportunity to show the officers that it was a toy gun. He was executed before given a chance to explain.

Whereas earlier this week, a 66-year-old white woman in Connecticut stood outside a police station pointing a BB gun at officers shouting “Boom boom boom” and “Shoot me!” is alive and unharmed.

The woman, Elaine Rothenberg, pointed the gun at civilians asking if they were police. She also blocked an employee-only doorway where police enter and exit to get to their police cruisers and stood with the gun raised in a shooting stance attempting instigate the officers. Rothenberg eventually threw the gun and was arrested. Why was she given due process and Rice was not? Connecticut is also an open carry state, but has even stricter gun laws than Ohio. Why was Loehmann able to shoot and kill a 12 year old right on the spot while Rothenberg was given her due process?

Never mind that Loehmann resigned from a previous police department just as he was about to be fired for incompetence with firearms and repeatedly displaying emotional disturbances.

As Truth in Media previously reported:

A memorandum, written by Independence Deputy Chief Jim Polak, expressed concern over Loehmann’s emotional issues during his poor performance at a state range qualification course for handgun training. Polak wrote that he was notified of Loehmann’s emotional issues by Independence Police Sgt. Greg Tinnirello:

“I was notified by FTO Sgt. Tinnirello of the following circumstances related to our recruit, Ptl. Loehmann. A written statement was included. On this date, during a state range qualification course Ptl. Loehmann was distracted and weepy. He could not follow simple directions, could not communicate clear thoughts nor recollections, and his handgun performance was dismal. Sgt. Tinnirello tried to work through this with Ptl. Loehmann by giving him some time. But, after some talking it was clear to Sgt. Tinnirello that the recruit was just not mentally prepared to be doing firearm training.”

Polak concluded that “due to this dangerous loss of composure during live range training and his inability to manage this personal stress, I do not believe Ptl. Loehmann shows the maturity needed to work in our employment. Unfortunately in law enforcement there are times when instructions need be followed to the letter, and I am under the impression Ptl. Loehmann, under certain circumstances, will not react in the way instructed. Ptl. Loehmann’s lack of commitment for his future here at Independence is disconcerting.” Polak recommended that Loehmann be released from the department and wrote that neither “time, nor training, will be able to change or correct these deficiencies.”

In that case, why on Earth did the Cleveland Police Department hire him?  Lt. Gail Bindel and Sgt. Edwin Santiago, the two officers in charge of hiring Loehmann, failed to perform a thorough background check on him. They were later suspended and reprimanded for it. Not only are the militarization tactics of police a major issue, but now we also have to worry about improperly evaluated cops and the open carry laws that are supposed to protect us. So who does open carry really serve to protect?

Featured, Gun Rights

Texas Governor To Lift 140-Year-Old Open Carry Gun Ban

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By Matthew Sullivan

Despite opposition from liberal gun control advocates, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign a bill that will reverse a nearly 140-year-old ban on open carry gun laws in the state.

Rep. Debbie Riddle, co-sponsor of the bill, states that the change in Texas gun policy will have a substantial effect on Second Amendment rights, according to Fox News.

“Everywhere there is a denial of Second Amendment rights, crime is through the roof,” Riddle said. “It’s a deterrent. If someone is going to rob a convenience store and there are other people inside with guns on their hips, they might think twice.”

Supporters of the bill emphasize that the new reforms will effectively discourage crime in the state, giving the everyday citizen the right to openly defend themselves. The bill passed through the Texas state legislature last Friday across party lines.

The bill comes just days after another Texas legislation passed a proposal that could allow students at Texas universities to carry concealed weapons on campus. Abbott stated that he will almost certainly sign both bills into law,according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.

“Concealed handgun license holders are the safest, most responsible gun owners in Texas,” Texas state Sen. Donna Campbell said in a statement. “It is irresponsible on our part to disarm the good guys where violent offenders disregard the law.”

Texas is one of only five states in the country that have an unmitigated ban on the right to openly carry guns. Citizens hoping to participate in these new reforms must apply for a gun carrying license, attain firearms training and undergo a thorough background check.

Abbott, an outspoken supporter of the Second Amendment, tweeted his support for the bill on Wednesday evening.

The bill would become law on Jan. 1, 2016.

Featured, Gun Rights, Politics, US

Texas Moves Closer to Passing ‘Open Carry’ Bill

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On Friday, Second Amendment supporters in Texas celebrated as a bill to allow licensed open carry of handguns moved closer to becoming law.

The Texas State House approved of the so-called “Open Carry” bill by a preliminary vote of 96 to 35. The final vote is expected next week. The bill would allow concealed handgun license holders to display their guns in shoulder or belt holsters. The state Senate has already approved a similar version but some details still need to be worked out. If the bill passes Texas Governor Greg Abbott has promised to sign it into law.

Critics of the bill have included Texas Democrats and law enforcement who have said the bill will endanger public safety. Texas stands alongside California, Florida, Illinois, New York and South Carolina, as being the only remaining states that prohibit open carry. 

“We are excited and appreciative that both chambers of the legislature have now voted to return at least a fraction of Texans’ right to keep and bear arms as they see fit,” says CJ Grisham, President of Open Carry Texas, an activist group dedicated to spreading awareness on open carry. However, Grisham says the state lawmakers did not go far enough. “We are disappointed that the speaker and bill author refused to go on record with a vote on constitutional carry.” Constitutional Carry advocates like Grisham believe that anyone who can legally own a firearm should be able to carry the weapon “without government permission slips.”

Texas lawmakers are also working on the equally controversial “Campus Carry” bill. The measure would make it legal for students at least 21-year-old to carry handguns on most campus buildings. The students would be required to take classroom and range training, and pass a background check. Protests, rallies, and discussion groups have been held by both sides of the debate at universities and campuses across the state.

What are your thoughts? Is Open Carry a right? Is Constitutional Carry what lawmakers should be supporting?

Government Accountability, Gun Rights, Interviews, Politics, States Rights, US

Texas Senate OKs Handgun Open Carry, Governor To Sign

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On Monday, handgun open carry legislation moved one step closer to Texas law after it passed the Texas State Senate.

Senate Bill 17 would allow citizens with concealed carry permits to open carry handguns.

The 20-11 vote was unsurprisingly divided on party lines with 20 Republicans voting in favor and 11 Democrats voting against the bill.

The bill needs to then pass the Texas House, and then it will ultimately land on the governor’s desk.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has made it clear that he will sign an open carry bill if it is sent to his desk.

 

BenSwann.com has covered the open carry movement for years (see here, here, here and here) and it appears that grassroots activists are finally seeing their dreams come true. Texas activists have worked diligently on getting this bill passed; some even were arrested for standing up for their right to carry firearms.

 

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Though handgun open carry is a positive step in the right direction, it is just a first step. Constitutional carry is what many activists want in Texas.

Justin Delosh, executive director for Come and Take It Texas, said that the government shouldn’t be making money off of gun permits.

“We support the right to concealed carry and the right to open carry.  We think it’s unethical for the state to profit off a person’s ability to defend themselves.  So we’re pushing for both without a permit,” Delosh said.

“Constitutional Carry means that if you’re legally allowed to possess the firearm, you should be able to carry it openly or concealed without a permit,” Delosh said.

Since the right to bear arms is part of our Constitution, requiring citizens to need a permit or have state-mandated training is unethical.

“We’re all for more training, we’d love to see everybody get more training.  But to make it state-mandated, to me it’s just unethical,” Delosh said.

Joshua Cook interviews Kory Watkins, Coordinator Open Carry Tarrant County in an exclusive interview below:

Police State, Politics, US

WA Gun Rights Group Planning Armed Protest in Response to Open Carry Activist’s Arrest

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According to a press release by the Washington-based gun rights organization Liberty for All, the group is planning an open carry protest on March 6 outside of Spokane, Washington’s Tom Foley federal courthouse in response to what the group calls the “illegal arrest and detention of a prominent liberty activist” named Anthony Bosworth, who mounted a campaign for Yakima County sheriff in 2014. According to WWLP, Bosworth was arrested and detained by federal police in February as he conducted an open carry demonstration outside of the courthouse. The arrest was caught on video, seen above.

The open carry of firearms is legal in Washington. However, federal police claim that Bosworth was carrying on federal property, which Bosworth denies. The gun rights activist said that he had been standing outside the courthouse and was asking federal officers to clarify the border between state and federal property at the time that he was arrested. According to Yakima Herald, Bosworth was cited for failing to disperse, but was not charged in connection with carrying a firearm on federal property.

Liberty for All’s Sam Wilson wrote in a statement, “Anthony Bosworth, part of the Liberty for All leadership, was arrested and detained in a steel cage for five hours by federal agents while attending a 10th Amendment rally in the public courtyard outside the federal courthouse on February 25. The agents, representing Department of Homeland Security and the US Marshal Service, claimed that Bosworth was violating federal law by being openly armed.” Wilson said that police asked Bosworth politically-motivated questions after they placed him in detention, “During the detention, the FBI subjected Bosworth to a three-hour interrogation regarding his liberty activism and demanding information about ‘the movement’s intentions.'”

“Our State, Our Rights: The Patriots Answer rally is slated for 11:00 AM, and the armed patriots are expecting a large turnout to protest the overreach of federal authorities, who used the Patriot Act to deny the activist his Miranda rights, access to an attorney, and even access to toilet paper while detained,” said Wilson, noting the motivation behind and details of the March 6 open carry rally in defense of Bosworth. He said that, despite the fact that Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich intervened and did not allow federal police to bring trespassing or gun charges, police have yet to return Bosworth’s firearms, which were taken during the incident.

Said Bosworth of the controversy in comments to KXLY, “I was arrested for practicing my second amendment right 10 feet away from a plaque that enshrines our Bill of Rights. They’ve got it posted right there, but yet they will illegally arrest an American citizen with it sitting right there.”

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Interview: 2nd Amendment Advocates Support Texas ‘Constitutional Carry’

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As Texas is considering legislation for open carrying handguns, groups are advocating “Constitutional Carry.”

Justin Delosh, executive director for Come and Take It Texas, said that the government shouldn’t be making money off of gun permits.

“We support the right to concealed carry and the right to open carry.  We think it’s unethical for the state to profit off a person’s ability to defend themselves.  So we’re pushing for both without a permit,” Delosh said.

“Constitutional Carry means that if you’re legally allowed to possess the firearm, you should be able to carry it openly or concealed without a permit,” Delosh said.

Since the right to bare arms is part of our Constitution, requiring citizens to need a permit or have state-mandated training is unethical.

“We’re all for more training, we’d love to see everybody get more training.  But to make it state-mandated, to me it’s just unethical,” Delosh said.

Kory Watkins, Coordinator Open Carry Tarrant County told Joshua Cook that James White’s open carry bill is not one to support because if the 2nd Amendment is a right, the state shouldn’t force citizens to pay for a license, or a concealed carry permit.

“There is a different bill that gun supporters are supporting,” said Watkins. “HB 195 by Jonathan Stickland is Constitutional carry. That’s what the open carry groups are supporting.”

Please listen to BenSwann.com’s Joshua Cook full interview with Kory Watkins for more details on a growing movement to restore 2nd Amendment rights in T.X.

Politics, US

NRA calls open carry protests ‘weird’

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The NRA, in a statement following open carry protests at restaurants and other public places, has called such protests “weird and certainly not a practical way to go normally about your business while preparing to defend yourself.”

Open carry protests have gained media attention recently as the Mexican fast-food chain Chipotle asked customers in Dallas, Texas not to bring their assault-style weapons into their restaurants.  This is not the first time restaurants have asked customers not to bring their weapons into their stores.  Last year, Starbucks also asked gun-owners to leave their weapons at home when they want to enjoy their coffee.

Chipotle’s communications director Chris Arnold made a statement last month, according to CNN, saying, “We are respectfully asking that customers not bring guns into our restaurants, unless they are authorized law enforcement personnel.”

The gun rights group Open Carry Texas was upset by the statements made by the NRA, and the group has threatened to withdraw support of the NRA if they do not redact their comments according to Al-Jazeera America.

OCT also made a post on their Facebook page showing a picture of a destroyed NRA membership card with statements calling for the NRA to stop dividing their members and for the group to support gun rights everywhere.

A poll by the Pew Research Center has claimed people now own guns for personal protection rather than hunting or any other reason.  With this poll in mind, the Week makes the claim individuals carrying guns openly into restaurants are making “people feel unsafe.”

In their statement, the NRA concludes by saying when “people act without thinking, or without consideration for others- especially when it comes to firearms- they set the stage for further restrictions on our rights.”

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Open-Carry Rally Hosted in Opposition of Federal BLM

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Standing up to the Bureau of Land Management as feds try and claim thousands of acres of ranchland along the board of the Red River, patriots held an open carry rally in Burkburnett, Texas.

People from southern Texas and Arizona joined Texomans to support the ranchers whose land is in jeopardy by the BLM. Men, women and children exercised their Second Amendment right to bare arms during the rally, reported by Newschannel 6.

A candidate for County Commissioner Lee Harvey said the rally was put Washington, D.C. on notice.

“Absolutely, this group of individuals is sending a message to Washington that says, ‘hey we’re still out here, and we still have our Constitution, and we’re going to stand by it,’” said Harvey.

Bill Lockwood, another candidate for County Commissioner, said the concept of liberty has been lost.

“Because really we’re living in a time in which people have the concept that freedom comes from the government or that liberty is a grant of government,” said Lockwood. “But that’s not the case at all. Liberty is a grant of God and government is only there as a protection so that you might enjoy what God has already given you.”

Lockwood said our founding fathers considered life, liberty and property as a package. And Lee Harvey says the BLM told him they’re taking Red River property based on precedence.

“We paid taxes on that land,” said Lockwood. “Now they tell us it’s not ours. Well we say we have a deed and we pay taxes. The man told me himself that a Texas deed does not trump the federal government.”

 

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Tennessee Legislators Kill Pro-Gun Bill, Again.

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A bill to let Tennesseans carry guns in the open without a permit was voted down Monday night in committee.

Members of the committee heard arguments against the bill from the governor’s top safety official, and in the end voted 10 to 1 not to let Tennesseans openly carry guns without a permit.

According to Nashville Public Radio, Van Huss (R) who sponsored the bill said that the bill finally got a fair shake before it was voted down, so he won’t force the open carry issue any further this year.

Michael Lotfi reported that Tennessee law makers killed a pro-gun bill last month. A bill that would nullify any federal ban on firearms. See here.

Will Americans ever experience true firearm freedom? Will the 2nd Amendment ever be restored as the founders intended?

South Carolina experienced a blow to 2nd Amendment Rights this year when a Republican majority killed a bill that would allow citizen to carry a firearm without a permit.

In South Carolina, if you feel that someone is stalking you after work, you cannot protect yourself with a firearm. You will first have to get permission from the government, pay for an expensive class, pay for a permit and wait for more than 90 days to get a concealed carry permit.

So if you feel threatened, you cannot defend yourself with a firearm for at least 90 days.

Both South Carolina and Tennessee are violating the 2nd Amendment. They are infringing on our right to defend ourselves – the God-given and natural right to keep and bear arms!

What are your thoughts? Should we have to get the government’s permission to carry firearms?

 

 

 

Politics, US

Man Brings Rifle to Airport To Exercise Free Speech

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Manchester, N.H.- On Thursday, March 20th, a man calling himself Liberty Carrots went to the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, bringing his bolt-action rifle with him, to exercise open-carry rights and free speech. He also brought newspapers from Free Press Publications that included articles critical of the TSA’s controversial treatment of passengers. Carrots walked around various areas of the airport handing out his newspapers and was faced with no uneasiness from the passengers. Nearly all of the people in the video were either dismissive of or mildly receptive to what Carrots was trying to accomplish.

The demonstration didn’t last long before Carrots was approached by personnel. His open-carrying was not the problematic issue, but his handing out of the newspapers was met with orders to stop doing so. The audio does not capture the entire conversation, but it is implied in the video that Carrot’s distribution of the newspapers was not allowed in the airport. Carrots wrote in the Manchester Free Press that he was told that he needed to obtain a permit. No arrests were made.

 

 

 

US

Republicans Kill Pro 2nd Amendment Bill in South Carolina

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Sen. Lee Bright, who is challenging Sen. Lindsey Graham, sponsored a bill that would restore 2nd Amendment rights to South Carolina citizens. Recently Governor Nikki Haley (R) backed the proposal that would “make it legal for most South Carolinians to carry guns – concealed or in the open – without a permit.”

The bill, Constitutional Carry, stated that the 2nd Amendment is the only permit a citizen needs in order to exercise his right not simply to keep arms but to bear them as well. Unfortunately, the bill failed with a Republican majority in the senate. Only 4 Republicans voted to advance the bill out of the judiciary committee: Lee Bright, Shane Martin, Katrina Shealy, and Tom Corbin.

Sen. Larry Martin (R) was a strong and vocal opponent of the bill. One of his constituents, who asked him to advance the bill, received this response from Martin: “If the 2nd amendment has been as you interpret it, why hasn’t SC law reflected that for the last 140 years? I’m sorry but you are describing an “unlimited” right that has never been the case with the 2nd Amendment. My view of the 2nd Amendment has always been the right to own guns and keep them in our homes, business, and property and not to wear a gun whenever to wherever I pleased.”

Last week the 9th Circuit Court ruled on a 2nd Amendment case citing that citizens not only have the right to “keep” arms, but the right to “bear” them, contradicting Martin’s interpretation.

The key part of the court’s ruling was:

The Second Amendment secures the right not only to “keep” arms but also to “bear” them—the verb whose original meaning is key in this case. Saving us the trouble of pulling the eighteenth-century dictionaries ourselves, the Court already has supplied the word’s plain meaning: “At the time of the founding, as now, to ‘bear’ meant to ‘carry.’” Heller, 554 U.S. at 584.3 Yet, not “carry” in the ordinary sense of “convey[ing] or transport[ing]” an object, as one might carry groceries to the check-out counter or garments to the laundromat, but “carry for a particular purpose—confrontation.” Id.

Sadly, South Carolina is one of the 6 states that prevent citizens from exercising the full rights provided in 2nd Amendment.

As noted by Breitbart, Arizona made the move to Constitutional Carry in April 2010, when Governor Jan Brewer (R) signed a law recognizing an AZ citizens’ right to carry handguns openly or concealed without a permit. When she signed the bill she said, “This bill not only protects the Second Amendment rights of Arizona citizens, but restores those rights as well.”

Mississippi has adopted Constitutional Carry for those who carry firearms openly and Oklahoma passed an open carry bill in 2012.

Gov. Haley has openly supported the bill and recently signed Restaurant Carry into law that allows CWP holders to conceal carry in restaurants that serve alcohol. Gov. Haley made a statement regarding Constitutional Carry, “Criminals are dangerous, and I think every resident should be allowed to protect themselves from criminals.”

State senator Shane Martin told Joshua Cook via Facebook regarding Constitutional Carry: “We tried. Unfortunately we are outnumbered.”

Politics, US

Viral Video: Best cop ever with Open Carry citizens!

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YouTube channel “MarkedGuardian” features over 216 videos seeking to educate citizens on Open Carry rights. “Warren” runs the channel and has done many Open Carry filmed episodes, seeking out “professional, respectful, and constitutional officers” in his state of Oregon. Warren wants to make sure “we can keep our rights here, pure and simple.”

In a viral video with over 3 million views, Warren and two other gentlemen open carry in Albany, OR, which is about 70 miles south of Portland, OR. Warren and his two friends record their interaction with Albany Police Officer Jim Estes. Officer Estes starts by asking the men for ID. The men explain they don’t have ID on them, because legally they aren’t required to have ID on them.

The officer explains he is there to make contact due to calls from local citizens, and understand the purpose behind Warren’s open carry. He says if Warren lets him inspect the gun to see if it’s loaded, he will let them see his “even cooler” AR-15 in his squad car.

Officer Estes says, “I’m all for your rights. I like guns. I encourage everybody to have guns. I think if everybody had ’em it would be a better world.”

The officer explains he needs to do his job and make sure everything is okay, before any type of incident happens. He does ask for their ID and the gentlemen refuse. Watch the video and see what happens!

The comments on the viral video are highly varied, from major criticism of Warren for open carrying, to criticism for pushing back on the officer’s requests, to praise for the officer. What do you think of Officer Estes? What do you think of Warren’s comments that “we’re treated like slaves” at 6:43 into the video?

Officer Estes did a great job being professional, respectful, and constitutional. Not every open carry scenario is so positive.

US

(VIDEO) Man Receives Settlement After Cops Violate His 2nd Amendment Rights

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Police in Colorado Springs, Colo. were so clueless when it came to the state’s own open-carry gun laws that they arrested a man carrying a gun in a public park, which violated the man’s 2nd Amendment rights. The man, James Sorensen, in turn, sued the city. He received a $23,000 settlement from the city.

According to WND, the incident occurred at a gay pride event the day after the Aurora, Colo. movie theater shooting, where a man shot and killed 12 people and injured 70 others.

Sorensen was carrying a handgun on his hip, which caused the police to take him into custody.

In cell phone video recorded by Sorensen’s partner, Sorensen is threatened with violence by the arresting office: “You’re about to get the sh*t kicked out of you.”

(See video at 11:41)

Sorensen counters: “This is against the law! This is against … my Second Amendment rights, sergeant.”

See raw video below:

Denver’s KUSA-TV reported that the four sergeants and three officers involved were simply unaware it’s legal to open carry in city parks. It has been legal since gun laws changed statewide in 2003.

Authorities blamed the mistake on the criminal manual or “cheat sheet” that officers carry which, at the time of the incident, said it was still illegal in Colorado Springs to open carry in a city park, reported WND.

 

Interviews, US

Exclusive: Officers Falsely Arrest Citizens for Lawfully Carrying Antique Black Powder Pistols

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Open Carry Texas is a grassroots organization that seeks to educate the public about open carry in order to get public support for the next legislative session.

amosarrestedThe organization’s website states: Open Carry Texas (OCT) is an organization dedicated to the safe and legal carry of firearms openly in the State of Texas in accordance with the United States and Texas Constitution and applicable laws.

Open Carry Texas has gained much attention recently. Benswann.com’s Kristin Tate reported on a peaceful 2nd Amendment rally they organized last week.

Today, however, 2 members of Texas Open Carry were arrested on the TX state capitol.

According to the Open Carry Texas Facebook page the two men arrested were upgraded to class A misdemeanor charges, criminal trespass with deadly weapon.

Joshua Cook asked Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Victoria Montgomery about what happened today. Listen to the exclusive interview below.

From Open Carry TX website:

Our purpose is to 1) educate all Texans about their right to openly carry rifles and shotguns in a safe manner; 2) to condition Texans to feel safe around law-abiding citizens that choose to carry them; 3) encourage our elected officials to pass less restrictive open carry legislation for all firearms, especially pistols; and (4) foster a cooperative relationship with local law enforcement in the furtherance of these goals with an eye towards preventing negative encounters.

Politics, US

Hundreds Of Armed Citizens Peacefully Protest At The Alamo

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The Alamo in San Antonio represents independence in Texas.

It is fitting, then, that 300-400 armed gun-enthusiasts rallied outside of the building on Saturday for a protest called “Come and Take It San Antonio!” The event was a reaction to attempts by San Antonio police to arrest armed citizens outside of Starbucks several months ago. The protestors claim that their Second Amendment rights are impeded on by a local ordinance.

C.J. Chivers, the president of Open Carry Texas, said, “[The San Antonio Police Department] is no longer going to be messing with us.”

Although it is legal to openly carry rifles and shotguns in Texas, San Antonio has an ordinance that limits open-carrying, specifically at public events.

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Naturally, some people had negative reactions to the gathering.

Hilary Rand, a regional manager for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said, “If anything, they’re just alerting the general public that this is something that needs to be changed. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean that it’s OK and that you should. And if anything they’re helping to make that argument for us.”

Rand and her counterparts held a small counter-demonstration down the road.

The reactions from tourists, who simply happened to be visiting the Alamo that day, were mixed.

49-year-old tourist Don Norwood said, “It’s healthy, that’s what America’s about.” Norwood was at the Alamo with his wife and daughter — they were not expecting the rally to take place.

A 21-year-old visitor who only gave his first name, Neil, said, “I was just trying to figure out what was going on and then I saw everybody carrying their weapons and I caught on. I don’t own any guns, but I do feel people have the right to bear arms as per the constitution. [But] why here? Why come out in an open park? Why in front of a monument? I do think that’s a little inappropriate.”

On Saturday, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said to the crowd, “I respect the opinions of folks who say this is not the right place, but I submit to you there’s one standard we should apply to gatherings here at this sacred cradle of Texas liberty and that is whether our activity and our purpose would be supported by those men who gave it all.”

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Come and Take It America’s founder, Murdoch Pizgatti, said he thought that seeing a large and peaceful gathering of armed citizens downtown would help people be more comfortable with openly carrying weapons.

He said, “This was a public education showing that this can be done without incident, so in two years, when the Legislature is in open session, this event will be talked about when those bills are on the floor.”

Do you support yesterday’s rally at the Alamo? Tell us why (or why not) in the comments section below.

Politics, US

Sheriff’s Deputy Who Respects The Constitution Deals With Protestors

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This video was sent to me to demonstrate what happens when a Sheriff’s deputy who respects the Constitution is sent out to an open carry demonstration.

According to Truth Seeker Daily, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived on the scene after his department received calls from the public about a small group of men demonstrating along side a busy street. The men were open carrying firearms and holding home made signs.

“We saw the Oakland County Sheriff car pull up so we all took out our camera-phones right away, anticipating trouble. This officer gets out of his car, waves to us, and walks right over. He shakes all of our hands, introduces himself, and states his purpose for walking over to us.”

Too often we show videos of police and sheriff’s deputies who are failing to recognize the Constitutional rights of protestors. When a law enforcement officer demonstrates his commitment to the rule of law, it should be pointed out. If for no other reason than to remind other law enforcement of how to treat those whom they are sworn to serve.

US

2nd Amendment advocates “Open Carry” their AR-15s & AK-47s

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The “open carry” movement is growing throughout the U.S.

Oklahoma recently passed their open carry  law, but states like Texas and South Carolina are still fighting for their citizen’s rights to constitutionally carry firearms openly in public places. Open Carry Texas is a grassroots organization that seeks to educate the public about open carry in order to get public support for the next legislative session.

open carry girlOpen Carry Texas spokeswoman Victoria Montgomery told Fox44 that “An armed society is a polite society.”

This T.X. group is attracting interest by educating the public regarding the 2nd Amendment and their membership is growing.

Montgomery says by wearing her rifle proudly, she’s helping to educate the community about guns, in hopes of erasing fears. So, she and other open carry members travel around town with their guns strapped to their backs.

Montgomery says open carry support has been tremendous, with many people connecting through Facebook and the web.

In the state of Texas, it’s legal to carry a rifle or a shotgun in public but not handguns. Open Carry Texas members hope by peacefully carrying rifles, they can convince lawmakers to allow open carry of pistols during the next legislative session.

“A right not exercised is a right that’s soon to be lost,” said Michael Montgomery.

Open Carry is controversial for the six states that don’t have open carry laws. Earlier this year a woman spoke to a subcommittee hearing in S.C. and voiced her concern that open carry would deter S.C. tourism, but the majority of South Carolinians support open carry. Lee Bright’s constitutional carry bill, S.115, passed the subcommittee but died in full committee. The bill be reintroduced next legislative session.

Recently the Mississippi Supreme Court unanimously upheld the state’s open carry-gun law. Earlier this year, legislators passed and Gov. Phil Bryant signed the bill that says adults don’t need a permit to carry a gun that’s not concealed.

open carry txLt. Brian Myers of the Ridgeland Police Department in Miss. said “I personally do not have any reservations about the (open carry) law. We handle the situation no differently whether or not they are openly carrying a weapon … for officers on the scene, knowing what the weapon is, where it is, and who is carrying it, is simply a bonus.”

Officer Myers states that “criminals do tend to target more vulnerable people.”

The simple truth is criminals won’t target their victims in a burger joint with patrons strapped with semi-automatics—it’s one of the safest places in T.X.