Open Shotgun Carry in Austin

[frazzled]

This thread actually might have a positive result.
It just might be an opportunity for several of us
to get together and meet one another.....

when the Austin District Attorney's office subpoena's
us to come and testify that we tried our best to talk
'ifanyonecan' out of his proposed course of action.

Did you miss the part where what he is proposing to do is not illegal?

And have you missed all the information about what will happen if a citizen becomes alarmed and calls in a complaint? The police will still respond, they will respond to a 'man with a gun' call in the manner they have been trained, he will still be disarmed, handcuffed and taken for a ride behind a prisoner cage. Despite the legal outcome, it will be more bad publicity for gun owners.

I think you have also missed the part where he stated he was intending to let the police know what he was going to do. I would assume they would be aware of the date, time, location and description of the person and know it was him.

I would not make that assumption at all. The metropolitan PD is quite large and 911 calls come through the system.

[Keith B]

And have you missed all the information about what will happen if a citizen becomes alarmed and calls in a complaint? The police will still respond, they will respond to a 'man with a gun' call in the manner they have been trained, he will still be disarmed, handcuffed and taken for a ride behind a prisoner cage. Despite the legal outcome, it will be more bad publicity for gun owners.

I think you have also missed the part where he stated he was intending to let the police know what he was going to do. I would assume they would be aware of the date, time, location and description of the person and know it was him.

I would not make that assumption at all. The metropolitan PD is quite large and 911 calls come through the system.[/quote]

You need to think about the exposure this event would get from the police department; if they know it is going on, you can bet they will make SURE that everyone knows it is happeneing, including the potential of actually having an officer observing him.

[frazzled]

Maybe, or alternatively just laugh it off.

The other option is that you're relying on government efficiency here in thinking. I would not, well ever, but especially not if the other potential ending is that kissing pavement thing.

[WolfeJager]

ifanyonecan:

Do I have a background check and/or waiting period for buying a shotgun? Or can I walk in and walk out that day with it?

I buy a long gun every week... I have never had to wait to take it home. Pick out a pretty one, fork over the cash, fill out the required forms, pass the background check, go home, and stroke gun for 8 hours.

Next week, repeat above.

[Keith B]

I buy a long gun every week... I have never had to wait to take it home. Pick out a pretty one, fork over the cash, fill out the required forms, pass the background check, go home, and stroke gun for 8 hours.

Next week, repeat above.

And what does that have to do with the topic in this thread??

[WolfeJager]

I buy a long gun every week... I have never had to wait to take it home. Pick out a pretty one, fork over the cash, fill out the required forms, pass the background check, go home, and stroke gun for 8 hours.

Next week, repeat above.

And what does that have to do with the topic in this thread??

Oh someone was asking earlier about the waiting time on buying a long gun in texas.

[Keith B]

Oh, OK. It usually helps to quote the post you are answering if it is more than a couple of posts back in the thread so folks know what you are referring to.

That way us old guys who can't remember more than two posts back can figure it out.

[jmra]

ifanyonecan:

Do I have a background check and/or waiting period for buying a shotgun? Or can I walk in and walk out that day with it?

I buy a long gun every week... I have never had to wait to take it home. Pick out a pretty one, fork over the cash, fill out the required forms, pass the background check, go home, and stroke gun for 8 hours.

Next week, repeat above.

A long gun every week? You must have a really big safe.

Before getting my CHL passing the NICS was hit and miss for me. Sometimes it was cleared right away, sometimes it would be delayed, and once it was outright denied. I have a clean record but the guy in NJ that has the same name and birth date as me does not. I love my CHL.

Back on topic...the OP should work closely with the PD before doing what he is suggesting. Having a uniformed officer present would be ideal. If he has to do it at all that is.

[Skydivesnake]

'News just in - police arrest deranged man with high capacity assault shotgun near school. More at ten when we interview some worried parents who are saying enough is enough - no more guns !'

That is the way it always goes down my friend. I suspect you will open the door to a whole world of hurt. If you are as clever as you think you are, why don't you actually take a mature approach instead and help out in a useful way; perhaps at the next legislative session. It's going to be tricky impressing the arresting officer with your well reasoned and articulated argument when you are lying face down with a mouth full of asphalt and with him kneeling on your back putting the cuffs on. Whatever charges get dropped months later, you'll still be that 'deranged guy' with a huge legal bill to pay off.

[DaveT]

And have you missed all the information about what will happen if a citizen becomes alarmed and calls in a complaint?

Can't you just hear all the whispered calls to 911? "Ummm, hello? Police? There's a... a... Negro walking down my street! P-p-p-please hurry!"

Police get panicky calls all the time about perfectly legal behavior. Dispatchers do actually take time to figure out what's actually going on. They don't just hear "man with a gun" and slam some big red button on the console that immediately sends everyone on duty, Code 3.

NOWHERE in my post, that you only bothered to quote a very small portion of to support your position of ridicule, did I describe anything the way you have represented.

My point, had you read further, was the reaction of Police Officers arriving on the scene and how they are trained to respond to a 'man with a gun' call. As a former Police Officer, I am familiar with the training. As a former Police Chief, it was my responsibility to insure the Officers under my command followed that training for their safety.

Since I am retired and have been out of the business for a while, I ran this thread by my son, who is a current Police Officer. The times have not changed and the training is the same.... Officer safety is the first priority.

Dispatchers take the information and try to obtain ALL the information they can from the calling party. That information is passed on to the responding Officers, who will act according to their training AND department procedures to handle the call.

One of the many calls I responded to that involved a subject with a gun was handled according to department procedure. I exited my patrol unit with service weapon in hand. After locating the subject, he refused instruction, choosing instead to raise his gun and fire a shot at me. I returned fire, he died.

So yes, I do believe I know how Police Officers will respond to a 'man with a gun' call.

But then again, maybe you have more experience in this area than I do to back up your remarks?

[chabouk]

One of the many calls I responded to that involved a subject with a gun was handled according to department procedure. I exited my patrol unit with service weapon in hand. After locating the subject, he refused instruction, choosing instead to raise his gun and fire a shot at me. I returned fire, he died.

Had this man informed the police in advance that he was going to conduct a public demonstration by carrying an unloaded shotgun on a sling?

Thank you for your service, and I'm sorry you were forced to take that shot, but the two situations are hardly analogous.

[DaveT]

One of the many calls I responded to that involved a subject with a gun was handled according to department procedure. I exited my patrol unit with service weapon in hand. After locating the subject, he refused instruction, choosing instead to raise his gun and fire a shot at me. I returned fire, he died.

Had this man informed the police in advance that he was going to conduct a public demonstration by carrying an unloaded shotgun on a sling?

Thank you for your service, and I'm sorry you were forced to take that shot, but the two situations are hardly analogous.

But then again, maybe you have more experience in this area than I do to back up your remarks?

[frazzled]

So what was the final result here?

[chabouk]

One of the many calls I responded to that involved a subject with a gun was handled according to department procedure. I exited my patrol unit with service weapon in hand. After locating the subject, he refused instruction, choosing instead to raise his gun and fire a shot at me. I returned fire, he died.

Had this man informed the police in advance that he was going to conduct a public demonstration by carrying an unloaded shotgun on a sling?

Thank you for your service, and I'm sorry you were forced to take that shot, but the two situations are hardly analogous.

But then again, maybe you have more experience in this area than I do to back up your remarks?

But then again, do you really believe the two scenarios are analogous?
1. Man notifies the local PD in advance that he will be engaged in a legal demonstration with an unloaded shotgun slung over his shoulder.
2. Man is brandishing a gun in a threatening manner, and responds to your arrival by shooting at you.

Again: thank you for your service, and I'm sorry you went through that experience, but it's apples and oranges.