Open carry idiots, Walmart, MS

[Scott B.]

(if that title is too strong, please edit)

I'd like to see the store security video of this, but if it is as described - holy cow.

"According to authorities, the two men walked into the Walmart on Highway 49 around 8 p.m. Witnesses said the man holding the shotgun was actively loading and racking the firearm."

http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/293 ... erstanding" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Edit: short url http://goo.gl/AOOwdk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That they weren't charged with menacing or something similar boggles the mind.

What if you had been nearby? Would you have retreated & called 911? Drawn down on them? Or what?

[mojo84]

I can't get the link to work. However, I consider carrying in hand, loading and racking a shell into the chamber much more aggressive than just open carrying a gun. Not sure what I would have done other than I would have considered them a probable dangerous threat.

[Scott B.]

Try this shorter URL.

http://goo.gl/AOOwdk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Scott B.]

It's one thing to get in people's faces with your long gun slung over a shoulder. I don't agree with the action, but I understand it. It's another to start fiddle-farting around with the weapon. You've stopped 'carrying' and are putting others in danger because of your own potential negligence.

I can't even begin to understand the mindset at play here.

[couzin]

Folks like this are just testing the system - bumping up against what is common sense, using exaggerated examples (e.g. the State allows open carry of handguns; the State allows the open carry of loaded long guns; etc...) to see what can be gotten away with. But this is not like violating the dress code at school by refusing to tuck a shirt, this is stepping up to a potential confrontation with either police, armed store security, or, as you noted, another licensed carrier of firearms who cannot distinguish between a bad actor and a person exercising so-called rights that could get innocents and others killed. Who then would be responsible? It is this kind of stupidity, and the actions of disturbed individuals like Root that will create a backlash against legal gun owners, concealed carry laws, the ability to possess a weapon in businesses, and the entire interpretation of the 2nd Amendment.

[joe817]

Wow! I didn't watch the video but I read the article. Racking a shotgun INSIDE the store would lead me to believe that those people were intent on robbing the customers, the cashier's or even worse looking to commit mass murder.

Had I been there and witnessed that? I honestly don't know but one thing for sure.....my gun would have been drawn in the low ready had things continued to go south. After of course, I found some really decent cover, dialed 911, and look for avenues of escape.

My second thought was that they left before the police arrived. Why'd they do that? Go inside, rack their shotguns to observe the reactions of customers & employees, notice the effects and then just leave? Maybe testing the waters for the real attack? A "trial run" just to see what happens?

I'm truely glad that nothing happened. Had a LEO been there would there have been probable cause, or reasonable suspicion for a LEO to detain them to see what's going on?

[mojo84]

Thanks

[Jago668]

Long gun slung on your shoulder would get a look and that's probably it, provided the person themselves didn't cause my neck hairs to stand up. Carrying it, loading it, and then chambering it like that. I am going to assume you are there to do something. Right hand on my pistol, cell phone in left calling 911, and looking to leave the area. Acting like a moron, while carrying a gun is a good way to get shot. If someone had shot them, I'd have no billed them if on the grand jury, and not guilty if on the trial jury.

[SA_Steve]

Surely the cops could have found some reason to detain or arrest these folks. Mental evaluation if nothing else. Intentionally frightening folks is probably illegal somewhere buried deep in the law.

[jmra]

I heard a reference to a video but didn't see one in either of the linked pages. Is there a video? I have to think if what people said was happening really took place that someone took out their phone and started recording. I've gotten to the point that I don't place much value in "eye witnesses". Until I see a video of the event it's hard to comment other than mentioning that the authorities stated no one was threatened and no laws were broken.

[C-dub]

The only video I see is from the police chief giving his statement and answering questions.

I'm surprised no one asked if a concealed carrier would have been justified in shooting the person with the shotgun.

[Charlies.Contingency]

In Texas, the Open Carriers would/should have been arrested IMO. I'm certain one of the witnesses would be willing to testify that "they felt threatened" by the actions of the person with the shotgun. I have the right to carry my shotgun, but I'm not going to frighten people with it. The moment the somebody does something like rack a shotgun in a convenience store, it could be perceived as threatening. What justifiable reason do you have for racking a shotgun in a store? To load it? Couldn't you have done that at home, or at your truck?

Bad feeling about this one. I know what I would've done, and I'm certain there are a few others that would follow in suite here. Was it legal what he did? Technically yes, but you can still be charged for doing something technically illegal if you offend, scare, or intimidate others.

Thank goodness it didn't turn south. I must agree with whoever it was that said that it seems like a possible test run. Testing the reaction of people, and also testing the response time of police. Bad, bad, bad... I hope everybody see's the issue in what was reported. (Assuming everything reported is true of course. I wasn't there, nor did I see a video of the event.)

[G.A. Heath]

I suspect that this would have been a very easily prosecuted Disorderly Conduct case in Texas. My response would have been to seek cover( concealment if no cover available), bring myself where I could respond to the threat, then call 911, and pray that it ends w/o anyone getting perforated.

[jmra]

I don't advocate OC of long guns in Walmart, but I can't help but wonder if this wasn't a case of a few people seeing things that didn't happen once they saw a gun. Remember the guy at a Walmart who called 911 when he thought he saw a guy with a gun and made up a bunch of stuff thinking it would get the cops there faster. IIRC police ended shooting a young man messing with a toy he picked up off the self. This was obviously not a toy, but the officer made a point to emphasize that no one was threatened and no laws were broken. I don't see how that statement lines up with the "eye witness" statements.

[John Galt]

Folks like this are just testing the system - bumping up against what is common sense, using exaggerated examples (e.g. the State allows open carry of handguns; the State allows the open carry of loaded long guns; etc...) to see what can be gotten away with. But this is not like violating the dress code at school by refusing to tuck a shirt, this is stepping up to a potential confrontation with either police, armed store security, or, as you noted, another licensed carrier of firearms who cannot distinguish between a bad actor and a person exercising so-called rights that could get innocents and others killed. Who then would be responsible? It is this kind of stupidity, and the actions of disturbed individuals like Root that will create a backlash against legal gun owners, concealed carry laws, the ability to possess a weapon in businesses, and the entire interpretation of the 2nd Amendment.