Following up on the prior article I wrote today, Utah Valley University – Open Carry Incident, I decided to email Nick Moyes.  He got back to me with the following:

Trolley Square, Utah, Virginia Tech, Columbine, Northern Illinois University, University of Alabama, University of South Florida, Dawson College: Montreal, Canada, Fort Hood, and Ohio State University just yesterday.

For some reason, mass shootings like to occur on college campuses and other “Gun Free Zones”. Perhaps it is because bad people go to where they know they will have the least resistance in carrying out their diabolical plans. I believe this to hold true from a petty thief all the way up to a fascist dictator.

I did not break any laws nor did I disrupt school activities as is evident from the videos I recorded. A student called in to campus police and asked if I was legally allowed to carry a gun. The student did not call in panic or to report a crime, it was simply a question, and I believe it should have been handled as such.

When the officers approached me and I realized that it was not going to be a simple check to see if I had a Concealed Firearm Permit, and I when I realized that it was going to be my word and Utah law against the opinions of two law enforcement officers, I pulled out my iPhone and pressed record. I did so, not to make the officers look unintelligent but to have a personal record of the incident. My reasoning to press the matter beyond that is explained in great detail throughout dozens of posts on the following website: http://www.utahconcealedcarry.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=7775&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

I have been open carrying for a long time, well before I had a CFP, as it was and is allowed in the State of Utah. I do not believe that the gun laws of Utah and the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution are no longer applicable to me while attending my accounting classes. I refuse to be a victim. There is not a uniformed officer outside of each of my classrooms, nor do I expect there to be. It is not their duty legally or otherwise to protect me, I am the only one responsible for me.

I have never open carried to make a point, to be “cool”, or because I have some sort of “Napoleon complex”. Those that know me, know that this has never been the case. I choose to open carry because I am legally able to do so and because it simply works better for me.

A right unexercised is a right lost. Opencarry.org

I ALWAYS go about open carrying in a quiet, dignified, and polite manner. I am always respectful of those around me who have never seen a gun before, by being approachable to have a conversation about Utah gun laws, to talk about why I choose to carry, and talk about the responsibility that goes along with carrying. People that know me and attend classes with me repeatedly thank me for carrying in their classrooms and for being willing and able to carry a gun at my side. It just sits there, it does not move. I do not remove it from its holster; I do not touch it. It is just an object that sits discreetly by my side.

And that is where my gun stays; unless I am, or God forbid my fellow classmates, are ever in danger of losing our lives at the hand of another who wishes to take our lives before law enforcement can arrive. I will refer you back to the growing list of colleges that have to deal with this kind of tragedy. I am not paranoid, simply aware of my responsibility, and mine only, to protect myself. I carry a gun as a safety precaution, just like wearing a seat belt in a moving car. Please think about all of the parallels that are applicable to that analogy.

Thank you to those that have an open mind and understand this logical approach. I am not an activist nor did I intend for this to go public beyond my campus or utahconcealedcarry.com.

This has not been easy to handle and I sincerely thank those who are supporting me and thank you to all of those who also carry legally and quietly everyday. God bless you.

———

Thanks Nick!

I think it is great that Nick was able to get his iPhone out and record the video so we could actually see what happened, rather than just hearing about it 2nd hand.  I think everyone that carries, both openly or concealed, should have some sort of recording device on them (preferebly both video and audio) in order to document any incidents that occur.

Anyone have any comments? Or a similar story to share?

P.S. – The photoshop I did is a play on words with UVU’s motto “Success Starts Here”

OREM, Utah – A Utah Valley University student says he is within his rights openly displaying a gun while carrying a concealed gun permit, even while on campus. And that is what student Nick Moyes did Friday morning when he was stopped by the campus police and was told to put the gun away. As president of UVU’s Republican Club, Moyes was hanging posters for an event when he was detained.

Full Story – Here

So the law says he can open carry, but some campus cops don’t like it?  Wow.. great…

If you are questioning how Nick handled the situation, you can see the entire video of the confrontation below in 2 parts:

I honestly don’t think Nick could have handled himself better.  He was polite, he knew the law, asked intelligent questions, and stuck to his beliefs.

It’s stories like this that I find really irritating.  If open carry on campus in Utah is legal according to the law, then why did this incident ever happen?  I don’t care if some of the students, or the police, don’t feel comfortable that someone without a uniform has a gun.  Nick Moyes was doing nothing wrong and should not have been harassed.  If you go to a university in Utah and you don’t like Utah state law, then I suggest looking into attending university in one of 49 of our other states.  As far as I am concerned, same goes if you are a police officer in Utah.  If you aren’t interested in enforcing the law AS WRITTEN, then that is not the job for you.

I say this again and again, but there NEEDS to be some accountability in law enforcement when it comes to situations like this.  A police officer should not be able to harass someone for doing something within the limits of the law.

FRANKFORT, Kentucky –Northern Kentucky University has been awarded $10,660 from the state Law Enforcement Protection Program (LEPP) to purchase patrol rifles, Gov. Steve Beshear announced Thursday.

Hmmm… Coincidentally the ATF had $10000 worth of “easily convertible” airsoft m4’s fall into their lap.   Agency to agency transfer anyone?

Also, awesome use of “Patrol Rifles”…. It’s refreshing to not see them demonized as “Assault rifle” killing machines.  I guess it has always been this way though; In the hands of police they are “tools”, but in the hands of citizens the same view largely isn’t held by the general public.

Under the LEPP, administered by the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security (KOHS), appropriate agencies can seek financial help for certain defensive items essential in the course of their duties.

“These funds will help ensure that our law enforcement will not be out-gunned and increase security on campus,” state Sen. Katie Kratz Stine, of Southgate, said.

Damn, I’ve only been out of University a couple of years now, but it must be getting pretty rough.  All jokes aside, if this keeps the students safe from psychos then I’m all for it.  I still think allowing students to carry on campus would be a zero cost better alternative though. $10660 isn’t going to buy that many patrol rifles, especially since they will all likely be fitted with some fairly pricey optics.  I say this because I can’t see open sights being a good choice for a possible shootout around hoards of innocent students running in every direction.

In conjunction with the Kentucky State Police (KSP), KOHS derives income from sales of confiscated weapons.

Oh that’s nice! *sarcasm*   I thought confiscated weapons were either destroyed or else given back to the original owner (if they were found to be stolen).  Or does this policy vary by state and department?  My first thought is that confiscating weapons to fund department purchases doesn’t seem very ethical.

Source: KYPost – HERE

Hat Tip: SayUncle

I find I go through PeopleOfWalmart for a couple minutes every few months.  Was doing some browsing there today and came across this:

Sometimes you have to go deep undercover. How do you think the queen of all homemakers Martha Stewart got caught?

Location: Texas

ENHANCE…

This off duty Texas police officer is rocking what appears to be the full set of Bianchi basket weave Leather.  I am making the assumption she is an off duty police officer because as some of you may or may not know, open carry of handguns is highly restricted in Texas, meaning that unless you are are law enforcement, no dice.

What’s Awesome:

• Her choice of sidearm is a Glock
• She is a open carrying
• She is a woman exercising her rights

What could use work:

• I’m not feeling the outfit as a whole
• Open carry rig not even attached to pants through any belt loops
• Slippers in WalMart? NASTY!.. I Hope she takes those off before she enters her home

It’s nice to see the comments on PeopleOfWalmart are actually quite positive towards open carry.  Most of the other comments on this picture are just down right hilarious!

Here are some of my favorite funny comments:

• She’s obviously not a member of the fashion police. (EAGLE EYE)
• I guess the answer to the question, “does this outfit make me look fat,” is a most definite “no!” (KINGREG)
• She should have gone with a powder blue holster, black is way too formal for sweats. (DEMIDAN)

Source: People of Walmart – HERE

This gem comes from GlockTalk user Smashy:

I got my new mouse gun, a single-shot Nerf Secret Strike AS-1. Paid $2.99 (no background check required). The fit and finish are pretty nice overall, except for a bit of sprue in a couple of spots along the mold lines, but that cleans up easily with a razor blade.

It came with two darts, so I bought an extra pack of 36 for $5.99. A pack of ammo costs more than the gun. Go figure.

The size is pretty compact, fits easily in the hand…

Read the rest of this entry »

As of February 22, visitors can pack heat in any national park from Gates of the Arctic to Everglades, provided they comply with the firearms laws of the park’s home state, according to the new law that was passed as an amendment to credit-card legislation.

The law, passed by Congress in May, reverses 94 years of National Park Service policy that generally allowed visitors to transport unloaded, disassembled weapons in the trunks of their cars. It applies not only to national parks, but also to national wildlife refuges.

Critics, say there are as many potential complications as there are state and local gun laws.

David Barna, a National Park Service spokesman, said park websites are providing some guidance to visitors, but it is the responsibility of each gun owner to understand the laws of the state they are visiting.

“The single biggest threat is the situation that’s going to occur in campgrounds, where you have inexperienced people, who don’t know much about parks, who are out of their element,” Wade said. “You are sleeping under the trees and you hear a noise. You look out of the tent and see a shape and start firing.

I definitely think that is a valid concern, especially when alcohol and camping pretty much go hand in hand.  Hopefully common sense prevails though, because it would be a shame to see a sharp rise in deaths or injuries as a result of less restrictive laws.

Full Story at the L.A. Times – HERE

Anyone have any upcoming winter or summer national park trips planned where you plan on carrying?

This chart was in Newsweek magazine a few weeks ago:

It’s kind of hard to read the list on the graphic, so I retyped it:

1. Don’t be a hero: Accept the situation and prepare to wait.
2. Do what you’re told – and remember: the first 45 minutes are the most dangerous.
3. Don’t speak unless spoken to, and then only when necessary
4. Get comfortable, but never turn your back on your captor
5. Don’t make suggestions: you’ll be blamed if the idea goes wrong.
6. Don’t try to escape, unless your sure you’ll succeed and even then think twice.
7. Let medical needs be known – but in a matter-of-fact way.
8. Be observant: memorize captors’ names, identifying marks etc…
9. Answer only “yes” or “no” if you end up fielding questions from authorities
10. Signal the police if your captors are listening in on the line.
11. Don’t be argumentative: treat your captors like royalty.
12. Hit the floor: when help comes, stay down with your hands on your head.

Probably all good advice if you are willing to take the chance of dying at the hands of your captor.  Often though, you are going to have some pissed off captors on your hands once they figure out they are not getting all that they demand.  This has the potential to turn sour real quick and that’s when hostages start disappearing.

This is why I offer then 2 step solution to dealing with captors:

I know some of you are going to jump on me saying its not feasible in all situations, and I agree.   I’d rather take responsibility for my own life, rather than rolling the dice on whether or not Law Enforcement is going to surgically remove the scumbags before innocent people start dying.

The quality is bad, but it reads:

“100 members of the Open Carry movement with holstered but unloaded weapons met in Walnut Creek”

It’s pretty sad to see that lumped in with SERIOUS issues and incidents that could affect safety in our country.

Source: War on Guns Blog

Hat Tip: SayUncle

Two days ago I posted about the Brady Campaign’s WEAK Twitter Following

Today I officially surpassed their number of followers by 1

Thank you to everyone that made it happen!

If you are just reading this for the first time and you want to follow me on twitter, check out my page – HERE

My blog is on twitter, I have 87 followers.  Not impressive by any means, but I don’t lose any sleep over it.

Evidence of my first twitter post can be found here:

Note the date: Oct 15, 2009

The Brady campaign’s first twitter post:

Note the date: July 21, 2009

Read the rest of this entry »

Stereotypical, but nicely executed.

Source: L.A. Times

Hat Tip: Sebastian

Looks like he is suing for “Damages”:

As a direct and proximate result of Ward’s unconstutitonal actions, Embody was subjected to arrest in violation of his Fourth Amendment rights and subjected to mental anguish, humiliation and embarrassment, because, the events described in this Complaint were published widely in the Nashville area by the local news media.

If he is so embarrassed, then why does he showboat around on all the forums?

I’ll hold the constitution above personal opinion any day of the week, but if he expects to win a case like this, I bet any lawyer would have told him to keep his mouth shut, and lay low on internet forums.

Here is the Complaint itself:

Case # 3:10-cv-00126 , Middle Tennessee District Court 6th Circuit

Read the rest of this entry »

You have already heard my point of view on the incident HERE and HERE.

Josh from Iowa, who frequently comments on this Blog, has this to say:

In response to the news about the lawsuit filed by the owner of the AK-47 pistol, we may have to agree to disagree. I think this guy got exactly what he was asking for. Notice that I said “asking for.” I believe this guy went out with the intention and the hope of provoking a reaction from the public and a response from the authorities. Let’s not forget he was dressed in camouflage clothing. I imagine dressed in woodland camo with an AK-47 (pistol or not) slung across his body he looked more like an Afghan militia member than the upstanding, law-abiding citizen he will be portraying in court. Worth noting also is that he had painted the end of the barrel blaze orange, seemingly in an attempt to make it look like a harmless toy. At the very least I think that he demonstrated a lack of maturity and showed a sense of irresponsibility that law-abiding gun owners and gun rights activists should be ashamed of. This is not the image of gun owners I want popping into peoples’ minds when they pause to think about the second amendment.

Admittedly, whether or not he was trying to provoke a response from the authorities, and regardless of the fact that in doing so he may not have been acting in the most responsible and civilized way, it seems that nothing he did was illegal. Let’s examine that though. It seems that his weapon is legal by the slimmest of margins. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, section 479.11, defines a pistol as:

“A weapon originally designed, made, and intended to fire a projectile (bullet) from one or more barrels when held in one hand, and having (a) a chamber(s) as an integral part(s) of, or permanently aligned with, the bore(s); and (b) a short stock designed to be gripped by one hand and at an angle to and extending below the line of the bore(s).”

It seems to me that it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to argue that his weapon was originally designed as a rifle, not a pistol, and therefore does not meet the requirements to be classified as a pistol. I know this isn’t the case, but I think this weapons classification as a pistol is a bit shaky. I have yet to see one of these things being fired from one hand either; that certainly seems improbable, and certainly not how it was intended to be fired. Its legitimacy as a pistol is, I think, questionable to begin with.

All of that aside, let’s look at why he’s filed a lawsuit. I haven’t seen the actual lawsuit, but according to the story that was linked to, his civil rights were violated by, “detaining him on Dec. 20, 2009 without probable cause and for longer than was necessary to determine he was not committing a crime.” The officer acted in good faith while performing his duties in stopping him to determine whether he was acting within the law or not. As a combat veteran infantryman, I’ve spent enough time in Afghanistan to recognize an AK-47 (or its variants) when I see one. I certainly would not have thought this to be considered a pistol by any means. He had probable cause to detain him, that’s clear. To release him without verifying the legality of a weapon that does not appear to be a pistol would have been irresponsible on the part of authorities. The only real question seems to be whether or not he was detained for an unreasonable amount of time. It seems that will be left for a judge to decide. I’ll say this though, if I were the authorities detaining him, once I determined that it was technically a pistol, he would remain detained while I determined whether or not he violated any laws by painting the end of the barrel orange to make it look like an airsoft toy. I believe that’s illegal in some jurisdictions, and I think rightfully so.

In the end I think (and hope) that this case will be dismissed; nothing awarded to the plaintiff.  I feel no sympathy for his predicament. I do, however, feel sorry for the fact that he must go through life operating with a sub-standard level of maturity, and am regretful that he feels compelled to act out in ways that bring negative attention to the firearm rights he purports to hold so dear.

—-

What do you guys think?

Some of you might remember my post from back in December on Open Carry Incidents.  I was mainly critical about how a situation in Tennessee’s Radnor Lake State Park was handled, where a man (Leonard Embody) was open carrying a Draco AK-47 pistol.  He was detained because the park ranger thought it was a modified rifle, and not a pistol.

After the way Leonard was treated, he finally decided to sue the park ranger who stopped him.

Good for him,  I hope he wins and gets awarded damages.

Source – NewsChannel5

I am all for concealed carry and open carry.  In my opinion though, if you are concealing it is because you want to retain the element of surprise, and don’t feel the need to advertise to the entire world that you have a handgun on you.  That, or else State law only permits you to carry concealed.

The shirt might as well read: “HEY EVERYBODY LOOK AT ME… I am an attention whore!!!”

I imagine there isn’t a law on the books about advertising the fact you are conceal carrying… but if you go around telling everyone you have a gun, I bet your permit wouldn’t last very long.

If you disagree with me, then by all means blow $27.80 to prove to the world that you are a tool

“Starbucks does not have a corporate policy regarding customers and weapons; we defer to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding this issue,” Starbucks’ customer relations department said in response to the Brady Campaign’s request.

Take that Brady bunch.

The Brady Campaign claims they have 180,000 “members” nationwide.  I wonder how many of those people support their views, and are not just on that list for the LOLs every time they start a new crusade to rid the United States of evil guns.

You can thank Starbucks on their website – HERE

Silicon Valley news article – HERE

Hat Tip: SayUncle

Pic from Dave who reversed the frown to a smile on the logo.

Released at SHOT show this year, two new guns in the S&W bodyguard series, a .380 pistol and a .38 revolver.

They are kept lightweight through the use of aluminum and polymer and steel.

Very nice commercial.. really highlights the guns and the lasers well.

There is a flash of the girl’s face at 1:00 where she looks a bit too happy for someone that could have been stabbed.  Maybe she realized that she had the upper hand

Some thoughts:

• The integration of the laser into the frames (although real well done in this case), is not my preference.  I’d rather see it as an option.
• Red lasers are so last year! … Don’t they know that green is the new red? Better visibility, greater brightness, and better range with the green.
• Ambidextrous cylinder release on revolver is a great idea
• I don’t like the external non-ambidextrous thumb safety on the pistol.  I prefer safeties you don’t have to remember to disengage (ie. like the internal safeties on Glock pistols).

Hat Tip: TheFirearmBlog

My first thought was that I was on the wrong site…

Then I looked again at the URL and sure enough it was http://www.bradycampaign.org/

Did they get hacked? NOPE.. All real.

These stories I post about are getting more and more ridiculous every day!

I love that altered logo they did!  If I were Starbucks, I’d adopt that for a “National Open Carry Day” and embrace the movement with free coffee if you are carrying a gun (wishful thinking I know )

Check out the actual petition – HERE

These individuals who have been carrying guns into Starbucks have all the firepower of a SWAT team, and none of the law enforcement training.

Gun rights advocates are hoping for even fewer restrictions on where they can have a firearm. Among their top goals is to make Arizona the third state where it is legal to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Bills in the House and the Senate would also eliminate background checks and training classes for people to carry hidden guns.

“All we’re doing is handcuffing good people, restricting their constitutional, God-given right to carry and perhaps their ability to defend their families,” said State Senator Russell Pearce, a Mesa Republican sponsoring the bill.

Right on!

Police departments worry that making permits optional might encourage more people with bad motives to carry concealed weapons, said John Thomas, a lobbyist for the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police. It also could lead to more accidents by people not adequately trained, Mr. Thomas said.

As always I disagree with the “encourage more people with bad motives to carry” argument, because criminals do not care about the law.  The part about accidents happening more frequently is a valid concern.  I hope that even for their own personal safety, no one would carry a gun that they were not familiar with.

Full Article at the New York Times website – HERE

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 –>

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?

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