Man arrested for bringing gun into Thornton movie theater

[JoeT]

Maybe this isn't a good time to shoot an ar15, perhaps some of you should put them away until The public thinks it's "ok" again...you know it might be too soon right now.

I really am shocked, and quite honestly, disappointed at some in this forum. Whether you agree with open carry or not, we as gun owners NEED to all be on the same page. Either what this guy did was legal, or it wasn't . Either we should be able to carry firearms in public or we shouldn't .

Or maybe we should contact our representatives and have the words "unless it makes someone uncomfortable" in all carry laws

[Whistler]

So what if he wanted to make a point stupid or not. Didn't I see a thread on here about some homosexuals boycotting a private business because he wouldn't make them a wedding cake? They couldn't just take their business to another cake store? Maybe 2A guys could take a lesson, they seem to get their way. Seriously though read history, guns are demonized to make restrictions palatable, sort of like "nobody needs an AR for hunting" - just like every time before. You can't ban guns in this country but you can restrict "certain" guns and incrementally hamstring the 2nd Amendment until it means nothing while conditioning the public to the idea that privately held guns are for hunting or competition. Well if that's the case why do you need them in your home? Why can't they stay locked up at the (mandatory) hunting or shooting club? Soon self defense is no longer a justification to be "permitted" to purchase a gun. The furor will ease like every time before and after we will have a little less and our passion will be slightly more "fringe" like every time before.

[Clint45]

If he had a valid CCW permit and was completely co-operative, I fail to understand WHY he was arrested and his property seized "as evidence." He should have been refunded his money and asked to leave and possibly written an appearance ticket. Since the officers instead chose to arrest him the city can face a lawsuit for false arrest and possibly malicious prosecution if the DA wants to pursue it.

That being said, he should have expected that open carrying a pistol into a theater so soon after the incident in Aurora would've alarmed people. Evacuating all the theaters and making a reverse 911 call seems a bit extreme though.

[sniper7]

If he had a valid CCW permit and was completely co-operative, I fail to understand WHY he was arrested and his property seized "as evidence." He should have been refunded his money and asked to leave and possibly written an appearance ticket. Since the officers instead chose to arrest him the city can face a lawsuit for false arrest and possibly malicious prosecution if the DA wants to pursue it.

That being said, he should have expected that open carrying a pistol into a theater so soon after the incident in Aurora would've alarmed people. Evacuating all the theaters and making a reverse 911 call seems a bit extreme though.

Maybe it was his retirement plan?

[dwalker460]

What has "appropriatte" got to do with anything??? It makes someone nervous so the answer is to call the guy an idiot and demonize his actions???

Seriously half the people in this thread need to go back and rethink some things. Have you ever been in public OC and NOT had someone uncomfortable around you? They are easy to tell, they are the ones who are looking right at you with that weird expression like they dont want to look, but cant help it. So your answer then is to go concealed? So people feel better? Huh...

Maybe a better answer is to OC and set a positive example for everyone? Maybe show some on-the-fence people that we are just people, not "gun people"?

Maybe, in the grand scheme of things, the way we, the gun enthusiasts who want to protect our gun rights should concentrate on positive example and education rather than just hiding our weapons in shame or fear that we might make someone nervous?

[Chief_of_Scouts]

I have been lurking this thread and I decided to do my own research on this alleged violation of the law.

I read the City of Thornton Code, specifically the cited code he was arrested for: Sec. 38-237. - Dangerous weapons. I am not a lawyer or certified law enforcement officer, but with my basic understanding of the English language, I cannot find any part of the cited code that he violated.

Even if I tried to connect the dots of:

Sec. 38-237 (a) Firearm means any handgun, automatic, revolver, pistol, rifle, shotgun, or other instrument or device capable of or intended to be capable of discharging bullets, cartridges or other explosive charges, excluding gas guns, as defined in Section 38-239(a).

and

Sec. 38-237 (b) (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly possess on or about the person or within such person's immediate reach any dangerous weapon.

there is this

Sec. 38-237 (d) Exceptions. The prohibitions contained in subsection (b)(1) of this section shall not apply to:
Sec. 38-237 (d) (4) A person issued a written permit to carry a concealed handgun issued by any sheriff authorized to issue such permits within the state and the carrying of such weapon is within the terms of such permit.

I am sure someone on these forums or more familiar with Colorado firearms laws can explain what I am missing here.

http://library.municode.com/HTML/150...WE_S38-237DAWE

[Byte Stryke]

OK So I normally OC of Late... How long?

6 Months?


4 Years?


why don't I just cave like most on this board have...

you are saying GIVE UP YOUR RIGHTS because someone might not like it

and No, Verbally Insulting someone is "not like" carrying OC...




as far as it costing him "huge money" I REALLY doubt it as the lawyers can smell a winning lawsuit 500 miles away.

Its going to cost you.

[airborneranger]

OK So I normally OC of Late... How long?

6 Months?


4 Years?


why don't I just cave like most on this board have...

you are saying GIVE UP YOUR RIGHTS because someone might not like it

and No, Verbally Insulting someone is "not like" carrying OC...




as far as it costing him "huge money" I REALLY doubt it as the lawyers can smell a winning lawsuit 500 miles away.

Its going to cost you.

I missed out on this thread but I certainly agree with you on this Byte. I have my CCW but lately I have been carrying open because it is my right to do so. If a business does not like it, then I take my business elsewhere.

[10mm-man]

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boycot...41509032556461

Let's see how many likes nation wide we can get........ Then maybe we can make a difference, once the movie theaters get the idea....

Just a thought...

[Ronin13]

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boycot...41509032556461

Let's see how many likes nation wide we can get........ Then maybe we can make a difference, once the movie theaters get the idea....

Just a thought...

Liked and shared!

It seems there are two schools of thought on this and let's address this issue with cool, calm, and collected rational heads, shall we?
Group A says: "OC is a right, we should be allowed to exercise it regardless of how others 'feel'."
Group B says: "Yes, OC is a right, we should exercise our rights, but sometimes the sheep get scared when they see the sheepdog has teeth, so maybe the sheepdog, in some cases, should keep his teeth hidden until they are needed to protect the sheep."

Still with me here?
I think the masses are fearful, stupid, and don't realize that 9 times out of 10 you won't know a criminal is armed until it's too late. If you see a gun openly displayed, then there is a very good chance it's not a bad guy and they mean you no harm. HOWEVER... the masses, again, are fvcking stupid, and they'll cause a fuss over your OCing, thus adding to the stigma "another nut carrying a gun!" Yes they need to be educated. I support OC, I do it from time to time, but from a tactical standpoint, I'd rather have the element of surprise on my side and not be the "target" for an aggressor- I'd rather him not know I'm carrying until it's sending lead his way or being pressed against his head with the demand that he drop his gun and get on the ground.
YMMV, MTFBWY.