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http://cdapress.com/articles/2007/05/20/news/news01.txt

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Rifles and rights
Posted: Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 08:05:38 pm PDT
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff writer

(see article for picture)
Zach Doty, 18, and his brother Steven, 15, carry their firearms because they say it is their right and "a right not exercised is a right that can easily be taken away." Police have stopped the brothers twice after reports were called in to 911.

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POST FALLS -- Zach Doty is raising eyebrows by taking the Second Amendment for a walk.

Doty, who turned 18 last month, has been stopped by police twice in the past month after citizens spotted him with a loaded 9mm Glock pistol in a hip holster in plain view.

No citations were issued because Idaho code allows residents 18 and older to openly carry a firearm in public. To carry a concealed weapon, you must be 21 and have a permit.

The second time officers checked out Zach -- on Sunday at Poleline and Greensferry -- his 15-year-old brother, Steven, was carrying a .22-caliber rifle in a sling on his back. Again, there was no wrongdoing because teens 13 to 17, with parental permission, are allowed by Idaho law to carry a rifle.

The home-schooled brothers said they intend to continue to openly carry guns in public on a regular basis for self defense -- both as a crime deterrent and to educate others that it's the public's right.

"I certainly don't anticipate that I'll need to use it, but I'd rather have it and not need it than to not have it and need it," Zach said. "There's no reason for me to hide a weapon."

The brothers have been to the library, grocery stores, parks and other places with the guns. They're not allowed to openly carry on school property, in courthouses or jails.

The brothers sometimes walk the perimeter of Prairie View Elementary and Post Falls High on their way from home to Post Falls Presbyterian Church, where they attend on Poleline. (Not to be confused with Community Presbyterian.) Zach was stopped by police on April 17 while walking to Bible study.

On Friday, police responded to the Q'emiln Park trails after someone reported seeing the Dotys with guns. When they verified that it was the family, they left.

-end snip-

Zach said another reason for open carrying is a "test."

"I'm trying to test to see if the Constitution means anything," he said. "Part of the issue is to test to see exactly how much freedom we have in this nation."

Very compelling...

But then again, when all of us look at this article, do you not see the very same sort of discussion, viewpoints both pro and con to the issue that have been made many times here on this website???

And to me, its not necessarily about open carry, its exercising the right overall...

I also see a very distinct line drawn between those who do exercise the right to keep and bear arms, the people who choose not too, and those who don't want anyone to do so...

For any reason...

Interesting article. I would wager that this home schooled young man has a better grasp of constitutional law than most (if not all) high school graduates.

I'm a little disappointed in some of the comments made by the range owner.

KRM45 wrote:I'm a little disappointed in some of the comments made by the range owner.

I must need another cup of coffee, I don't see any comments by a range owner.

well, they have a grasp on ONE part of the Constitution.
good luck with the whole "societal outcast" thing. hope that works out for ya....

Jacob Staff wrote:

KRM45 wrote:I'm a little disappointed in some of the comments made by the range owner.

I must need another cup of coffee, I don't see any comments by a range owner.

From the source article:

Ed Santos, owner of Center Target Sports in Post Falls and a gun safety instructor, said the Dotys came to his business, but he doesn't sell handgun ammunition to those under 21, and a parental presence is required for teens to shoot at his facility. Santos said, however, just because the teens are carrying guns doesn't mean they are not responsible with them.

"My advice for them is the same as it is with adults -- yes it's your right and yes it's legal, but why draw unnecessary attention to yourself that is not necessary or just because you can?" Santos said. "My hope for anyone who possesses a gun is that they know the basic ground rules of gun safety."

Openly carrying guns is allowable in many states, but Santos said he wonders if having guns in plain view on city streets while just being out and about was the intent of the law writers.

"I believe the intent was to allow it more for hunting and recreation," Santos said.

He;s basically telling them that they shouldn't be exercising a right that they have because it makes folks nervous. He also has no clue about the 2nd Amendment (hunting & recreation? Where's THAT in the Constitution?).

so by that logic, we should all go yelling disparaging remarks, cause, well, that's exercising our 1st Amendment?

we can exercise, yet still be socially conscious.

pbandjelly wrote:so by that logic, we should all go yelling disparaging remarks, cause, well, that's exercising our 1st Amendment?

we can exercise, yet still be socially conscious.

No, we shouldn't be yelling disparaging remarks but we should be debating and voicing our positions openly. The first amendment gives us the right to free speech and we should exercise it. Same with the second.

This kid and his brother has guts, I'll give 'em that. Haven't made up my mind whether they are smart or stupid yet, but by golly they know their rights and I for one won't be calling for those rights to be taken away.

I do remember that as a teen I was constantly running up and down our farm-to-market road with a Remington 870 goose gun and ducking off into the woods on either side to varmint hunt, bagging lots of armadillos, possums, chicken snakes, and other pesky critters. Sherrif's deputies stopped and chatted with me every once in awhile, just asking me what I was doing toting a shotgun. I always told them the truth: "Varmint huntin', Sir!" and they always told me good luck and rolled on their way. As far as I knew these were always just routine patrols and to my knowledge none of the neighbors ever called in on me.

Of course, we lived out in the East Texas countryside; I'm sure if I'd been totin' downtown Greenville someone would have toted me to the station and called dad to come get his boy.

Lets be cordule, anyone can overlook something in an article...

I do it all the time, and I make no claim to know or see everything...

Of course this has nothing to do much with Texas's laws or inciting alarm in our neck of the woods...

These young men are illustrating something we already know about...

How the public will, and can, become unhinged at the sight of a gun...Whether or not that was their intent, that is what is to be expected...

stevie_d_64 wrote:Lets be cordule,

or cordial, even!

the point is, if you're going to "exercise" your rights by doing it in the most inflammatory method possible, expect consequences.

I agree with you. The line is blurred though. It's like the old example of the first amendment not giving you the right to shout "Fire!" in a crowded theatre...that's why I said I can't decide whether these kids are smart or stupid.

It's not that we aren't cordial, it just that sometimes we are in violent agreement!

P.S. We need new smilies! Guess I'll have to learn bbCode and start spicing things up (within the parameters of the ten year old daughter rule, of course!)

pbandjelly wrote:

stevie_d_64 wrote:Lets be cordule,

or cordial, even!

the point is, if you're going to "exercise" your rights by doing it in the most inflammatory method possible, expect consequences.

Thanks Deputy Snoop-Smarty-Smart...

You are right, but be ready for that "ride"...Thats all I'm saying...Word up dog!!!

"Shaddup, Steeeeeeve!!!"
dude, you kill me.

tfrazier wrote:It's not that we aren't cordial, it just that sometimes we are in violent agreement!

Yeah, like when I beat how much we agree into yer skull!