You could be a Terrorist

[sjfcontrol]

If you buy reloading supplies, you could be a terrorist.

Well, especially if you're buying them, and don't know what they are!

[SQLGeek]

If you buy reloading supplies, you could be a terrorist.

Well, especially if you're buying them, and don't know what they are!

Uttering the words "What is this used for again?" before you're about to buy 6 pounds of powder...genius!

[clarionite]

I've been hassled many times taking photos, but usually by security guards or just passers by, not the police. I'm assuming you didn't have any problems? Seems like places like downtown SA, which is likely to have tourists, should be more photo friendly. I've walked around downtown Austin and the UT campus taking photos very late at night. Once I set up across from the UT tower on a sidewalk while about five police officers stood nearby talking to each other --no one said a word to me.

About two years ago I was seeing my son off to China and openly taking photos and videos (with a DSLR), including photos of the security lines, TSA agents, and just about every part of the terminal. No one said a word to me. TSA people were aware of my photography and they ignored me. So, things were as they should be and I felt right with the world. It was around 6 AM as I left, and on the way to the parking garage I stopped to shoot some video of the taxis in front of the terminal. My camera was brand new and I wanted to check out the HD video feature while it was still dark. My wife was with me too. Suddenly a security guard was in front of me questioning me about what I was doing. I said I was taking photos --that I had a new camera and wanted to check out a night shot. In a quaking and confrontational voice she said something about being sensitive to people taking photos in front of the terminal. I asked if I was doing anything illegal? She said no (so in this case they at least weren't making up the law). I offered to show her the photos I'd taken. This offer was declined and did not in any way appease her. The situation was becoming increasingly confrontational so I asked again if I was doing anything illegal? When she said no again I turned around and left.

This anti-photography stuff is so stupid it beggars belief. If I was a "terrorist" I could simply go to Google and download all the photos of the Austin airport I wanted, with zero chance of risking exposure. Or I could spend $20 on a video spy pen and walk around taking all the video I wanted with no one the wiser. Not to mention the absurdity of the notion that someone needs a photograph before they can attack something or blow it up.

We weren't hassled at all, I was suprised enough that I made a comment about it to my friend. We did see people getting rousted out of the park in front of the cathedral.

I've had more issues with citizens trying to be police than with police when it comes to photography. Especially around San Antonio. We had one lady stop and harrass us as we were wrapping up a model shoot near Camp Stanley.