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I could understand if they were waiving it around in the air, pointing it at passerbys, etc. maybe even chasing each other around the cars. If it was a real concern I would hope it would be faster than 35 min. Just saying.Originally Posted by spqrzilla
I don't see anything wrong with what you guys did, or where you chose to do it.
I too see nothing wrong with the police response.
Not nonsense, fact, did you read the comments in this thread? It matters not a bit who "they" happen to be as this is SOP; demonize the target group, item or issue such that persecution of the group, item or issue is generally sanctioned. Use anecdotes in place of facts calling out as "racist" or "hateful" any attempt at correction or education, promote distortion and magnification of the scale and impact of the issue, characterize any remaining supporters as "crazy" or "delusional" with no regard for life, a hatred of children / bunnies to invalidate any opinion they might hold. And so on until we hide and skulk to participate in our "anti-social" behavior for fear of discrimination and reprisal. What I'm pointing out is a shift in the legitimacy of the issue and that while I am as horrified and saddened as anyone at the senseless tragedies, the response is disproportionate and is exploited to generate a negative public sentiment toward gun owners. That is evidenced in this thread and others I've seen throughout the web such as gun owners voicing support for restrictions on guns they don't happen to use for example.
The examples of this approach are numerous throughout history. Everyone fears the bear but this is more like being pecked to death by a duck. It's only "common sense" that we be low-key in exercising our rights because "people are upset right now". It's only "reasonable" that we compromise our rights and support further restrictions that will serve to penalize lawful upstanding gun owners and have no impact on this emotional issue but "we took action, did something". We shouldn't be hiding, we should be joining the dialog to help shape something that might make a difference instead of tacitly supporting an emotional response that only serves to punish the innocent.
My heart goes out to the victims and families of those tragedies but they were perpetrated by crazies that bear no resemblance to the 80 million gun owners who commit no crime. I'm likewise sensitive to the emotions stirred (in large part) by media, politicians and groups pushing an agenda but I and millions of others have done no wrong and I'll be damned if they'll make me feel like a criminal. Hide in the shadows if you like but please don't dismiss my opinion as "nonsense" or try to convince me "it's the right thing to do".
This, I did not know! I'll have to remember this. Thanks for the heads up!As far as deals at Sportsmans or such remember, if a transaction is conducted on the premises of a FFL, a 4473 must be executed at time of transfer. Let's not put them in a bad spot.
I agree...I'm actually blown away by the comments on here. Was the theater parking lot the best place to do this? Probably not, but when it comes down to it it's not illegal to make a firearms transaction in a parking lot. But seriously...most of you don't have ANY problems with the LEO response? Someone above said "pick your battles"...well I really can't see how this isn't the EXACT type of battle that should be picked. Are we really going to let the sheeple demonize a legal transaction just because it makes them feel funny? Let's just keep giving them an inch folks...
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that - George Carlin
I didn't see anything wrong with the police response in following up on a dispatch call. No telling what was called in and except for the opinions (everyone has them) it sounds as though they handled it appropriately. Not that the cops should be called in the first place but once they are they can't reasonably just ignore it.
See this is where you and others got completely lost. Nobody "demonized" a transaction. Whoever called the police did know that that was what was being done in the parking lot.
And yes, it wasn't illegal. And no one got arrested.
Sayonara
Lets not get crazy here. Did the cops take his guns? No. Did they beat him up and demand answers? No. Did the caller tell 911 "I just saw two normal looking good guys selling a perfectly legal bolt action rifle and they are smiling and appear perfectly harmless"? Probably not. What they probably got was a 911 call from some scared and audibly upset person stating "There are two guys outside of this movie theater with a rifle, it looks like they are waiting for a movie to let out" or something to that degree. The story the cops get is the skewed and blown out of proportion view of the caller, which is the story they have to go by until they figure out what the hell is really going on.
Now, to address the second issue. The choice of location. Just a few days ago I traded a firearm to another forum member for another firearm. We met in springs, and the northern side of springs just off of I-25 was looking to be the most convenient place for both parties, and was a fair middle ground. Did we meet at the mall just off of academy? Hell no, that would be ridiculous, there was just a shooting in a mall, and we both agreed, that would be pretty dumb, as it would freak people out. We picked a nearby McDonalds. When we show up, there was an armored car parked at the entrace doorway, obviously getting the money to take it to the bank. We both get out of our vehicles, nothing in hand and chuckle, both saying to some degree "looks like we are waiting until they leave". After they left we parked in the back by the dumpsters opened the doors of the vehicles to obscure anyone's view of what we were doing. Deal was completed without a hiccup.
Now, is it illegal to conduct a firearms transaction in front of an armored car? No, it isn't.
Is it just a plain stupid to pull an AR-15 out of your trunk in front of an armored car? Fuck yeah it is. For that matter, is it illegal to walk into a bank with a ski mask on? No, but are you going to bring down a world of chaotic hell on yourself? Yup.
This is just simple mistake of a poorly chosen meeting spot and perhaps not the best attention to one's surroundings. No big deal though really. Not a major mistake on anyone's part. At least the OP complied and was a cooperative gentleman and not a raging asshole screaming "you fucking assholes are violating my constitutional rights!, blah blah blah". Use it to learn from and move on.
/rant
Well if it came off as that was the type of reaction I was advocating for then my apologies because I definitely do not think that is an appropriate response in any situation. "Battle" is a strong word and I probably shouldn't have used it.
I think TriggerHappy hit the nail on the head though, we are being relagated to skulking around to alleviate people unconfortable feeling about guns. I personally don't like feeling like I'm doing something wrong because someone doesn't know the law and just simply thinks I'm doing something wrong. I definitely agree the place could have been chosen more carefully...but at the same time I think it's our duty to help educate folks to the fact that guns aren't bad and to use their head in situations like these.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that - George Carlin
I use the parking lot of the local S/O, never had a problem except some people don't like to show up there hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm wonder why.
+1 to lead_magnet's comments
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