Man arrested for bringing gun into Thornton movie theater

[Whistler]

Those are some mighty big words there.



Quote:
Instead of sitting down satisfied with the efforts we have already made, which is the wish of our enemies, the necessity of the times, more than ever, calls for our utmost circumspection, deliberation, fortitude, and perseverance. Let us remember that "if we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it, and involve others in our doom." It is a very serious consideration, which should deeply impress our minds, that millions yet unborn may be the miserable sharers of the event.

Quote:
’Tis a strange species of generosity which requires a return infinitely more valuable than anything it could have bestowed; that demands as a reward for a defense of our property a surrender of those inestimable privileges, to the arbitrary will of vindictive tyrants, which alone give value to that very property.

He was a smart guy

[cofi]

really crappy that they confiscated his pistol while they figure out what they are going to do.....so much for innocent untill proven guilty

[cwripinz]

I applaud his actions. Too bad the sheeple freaked out. Perhaps if the responding LEO's were to verify that he:

A) Did not threaten anyone
B) ...well, there is no B. If no one was threatened then it should have ended right then and there. This is just bad LEO training and will be shown to be such in subsequent litigation.

Your car is old & ugly... it frightens me. Should this be justification for the police to impound it & arrest you? No.

Your dog is big & looks like it could be mean... it frightens me. Should this be justification for the police to have your dog put down & you arrested? No.

Just because OC is rare, it is still a right. Thomas, you are dead wrong on this one. When our rights are under the most scrutiny, that is exactly when they should... no, make that MUST be exercised. This is when they are most under threat and likely to be subverted.

I live in the Peoples Republic of Denver and I discuss the shame of the "home rule" determination & push for the OC Ban to be repealed EVERY DAY... Without Exception... Irrespective of the latest atrocity carried out by some nut-job on the peace loving folk of my Nation. People keep asking me, "If you feel that way, why not just move?" Answer: Because if I do, then "they" win... and this fight ain't over.

Anybody know where I can contribute to Mr. Mapes Legal Fund?

[Bailey Guns]

I've read all the responses and comments in this thread. I am really saddened, though not too surprised, by those who think Mapes acted inappropriately.

It's legal to do what he did, regardless of whether or not anyone believes he used poor judgment or discretion. The only reason this incident happened is because someone freaked out at the sight of a gun. A legal gun. A holstered gun. A safe gun. A gun carried by a man who was, by all accounts, not acting any differently than any of the other moviegoers with the exception that he chose to take responsibility for his own safety and was exercising a Constitutional right.

For those who think he used poor judgment then please tell me: at what point does exercising a God-given right constitute using poor judgment? At what point should we choose not to protect ourselves for fear of offending others? Because those are the only two arguments I've seen. I'd really like to know how much liberty I need to sacrifice in order for some of you to feel comfortable.

It brings to mind the old argument hashed and re-hashed right on this forum from those who would have more strict, government mandated training standards in place for issuance of a concealed handgun permit. Their only argument is they "feel" the need for people to have more training. They "feel" unsafe knowing there are people in the wild carrying concealed handguns who only have a minimal amount of training. No one has yet been able to produce a tangible, verifiable argument that the standards in place put anyone in real danger.

Well, for whatever it's worth, I don't think the guy did anything wrong. As a matter of fact, I commend him for taking responsibility for his own safety. I commend him for exercising his second amendment rights and refuse to condemn him for any perceived lack of proper discretion or judgment.

Furthermore, any condemnation from me will be directed towards the Thornton PD officers involved for violating this man's freedom. It's appalling to think they had to fabricate a charge in order to arrest this man. It's more appalling that the city attorney hasn't put this no-brainer to bed and had the PD issue a statement that no charges will be filed and Mapes' (illegally) confiscated and legally possessed property with be returned to him forthwith.

In the words of Ricky Ricardo... "Thornton! You got some 'splaining to do."

[Whistler]

They will probably charge this guy with "flourishing" under Municode 38-237 by applying it to mean simply displaying it at a theater while people are hyper-sensitive especially in that locale that he knew or should have known displaying the weapon would cause alarm.

I think it's a distortion but the fact they charged him under that code leads me to believe that is their plan.

It shall be unlawful for any person to display or flourish a dangerous weapon, firearm, air gun, bludgeon, chemical agent or slingshot in a manner calculated to alarm another person.

[Bailey Guns]

Good luck with that since his gun was never out of the holster. To "flourish" usually means to make obvious or animated gestures in order to draw attention.

[Squeeze]

I am really hopeful these charges get dropped. Even though I don't agree with this guy doing what he did. Not saying people shouldn't be allowed to OC, but in a theater...our city is still recovering from the massive wound caused by the Aurora shooting. If you OC in a theater tomorrow and truly expect a different outcome than what happened to Mr. Mapes in this incident, you would be a fool. Sheeple are scared of the gun-carrying community as it is. You want to open carry? Fine, pick somewhere other than a theater to do it. Want to go to a movie? Great, then CC. Give the gun fearing Sheeple time to calm down just a bit. The firearms community really doesn't need negative media right now. The anti-gunners are looking for any reason they can to gather information to further their cause. It sucks any way you slice it. Mapes was doing nothing wrong - legally - yet the Thornton Police went after him with claws & teeth out. Now, he's going to be hemmed up in court, having to retain a lawyer, spend a considerable amount of money just to prove it is OUR Constitutional right. I really hope Mapes comes out of this unscathed, but I'm not so sure.

[10mm-man]

I've read all the responses and comments in this thread. I am really saddened, though not too surprised, by those who think Mapes acted inappropriately.

It's legal to do what he did, regardless of whether or not anyone believes he used poor judgment or discretion. The only reason this incident happened is because someone freaked out at the sight of a gun. A legal gun. A holstered gun. A safe gun. A gun carried by a man who was, by all accounts, not acting any differently than any of the other moviegoers with the exception that he chose to take responsibility for his own safety and was exercising a Constitutional right.

For those who think he used poor judgment then please tell me: at what point does exercising a God-given right constitute using poor judgment? At what point should we choose not to protect ourselves for fear of offending others? Because those are the only two arguments I've seen. I'd really like to know how much liberty I need to sacrifice in order for some of you to feel comfortable.

It brings to mind the old argument hashed and re-hashed right on this forum from those who would have more strict, government mandated training standards in place for issuance of a concealed handgun permit. Their only argument is they "feel" the need for people to have more training. They "feel" unsafe knowing there are people in the wild carrying concealed handguns who only have a minimal amount of training. No one has yet been able to produce a tangible, verifiable argument that the standards in place put anyone in real danger.

Well, for whatever it's worth, I don't think the guy did anything wrong. As a matter of fact, I commend him for taking responsibility for his own safety. I commend him for exercising his second amendment rights and refuse to condemn him for any perceived lack of proper discretion or judgment.

Furthermore, any condemnation from me will be directed towards the Thornton PD officers involved for violating this man's freedom. It's appalling to think they had to fabricate a charge in order to arrest this man. It's more appalling that the city attorney hasn't put this no-brainer to bed and had the PD issue a statement that no charges will be filed and Mapes' (illegally) confiscated and legally possessed property with be returned to him forthwith.

In the words of Ricky Ricardo... "Thornton! You got some 'splaining to do."

THIS!! +1

[10mm-man]

They are going to fight to ban guns forever no matter what so fight to keep them! Don't give in to the pressure, it's tough to stand for something.

Agree

[10mm-man]

Well at least he was taken into custody without incident. I hope that gets mentioned more. Without incident. He certainly wasn't a "gun nut" out of control.

Great Point!