Georgia open carry test. How would you respond?

[HomerJS]

Man walks into Atlanta store open carrying a loaded AR-15, shotgun, 4 handguns and body amour. Should the police be called? Would you call the police?

Open carry is legal in Georgia. All weapons are legal

Rico Marley charged after allegedly entering Atlanta Publix with six loaded guns and body armor - CBS News

 

[Brainonska511]

Don't know why we have to tolerate such antisocial behavior - people walking around like they're about to attend the zombie apocalypse. They're all "law-abiding" open carrying until they open fire in a grocery store aisle....

 

[Pens1566]

Yes, I'd call it in. Not doing so is accepting this as "normal" which is just bonkers.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

That would reasonably cause a panic, similarly to yelling 'fire' in a movie theater, so no I don't think that should be covered under 2A.

 

[K1052]

I own a lot of guns and don't think we should have to live like this. Open carry (unless actually engaged in hunting or other outdoor activities) always struck me as pure intimidation and compensation.

 

[HomerJS]

That would reasonably cause a panic, similarly to yelling 'fire' in a movie theater, so no I don't think that should be covered under 2A.

What part of it crosses the 2A line? Looking for a greater discussion of allowing open carry.

 

[brycejones]

What part of it crosses the 2A line? Looking for a greater discussion of allowing open carry.

Number of weapons, wearing body armor, the location. It’s all about context I think.

 

[Zorba]

Saw some short small dicker in the grocery store the other day open carrying with his ~3 year old. Of course he also didn't wash his hands in the bathroom (where I saw him).

 

[Zorba]

In this case, it sounds like there was a lot more than just openly carrying, though. I would definitely call the cops if some was pulling guns out of a bag and loading them in a bathroom. If no other reason, someone being that stupid deserves to be harassed by the police.

 

[K1052]

In this case, it sounds like there was a lot more than just openly carrying, though. I would definitely call the cops if some was pulling guns out of a bag and loading them in a bathroom. If no other reason, someone being that stupid deserves to be harassed by the police.

Me: *calls police*

Operator: 911, what is your emergency?

Me: A man with firearms and body armor is wandering the grocery store.

Operator: In this state sir that is not a crime and if..

Me: I also believe he was listening to rap music and smells of marijuana.

Operator: We're rolling the MRAPs sir, hold tight.

 

[WelshBloke]

Isnt the fact that they are charging him an admission that those open carry laws are broken?

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

What part of it crosses the 2A line? Looking for a greater discussion of allowing open carry.

Number of weapons, wearing body armor, the location. It’s all about context I think.

Agree with this. I wouldn't be terribly perturbed about seeing someone with a sidearm on their hip/under a coat, but it's far different with long arms slung, body armor on, etc. I'd feel similarly if someone was walking around a walmart with a longsword unsheathed, or like an idling chainsaw or some shit.

One is 2A, one is brandishing in a threatening manner. There's grey area in between but this one's like porn; I know it when I see it.

 

[Pens1566]

Isnt the fact that they are charging him an admission that those open carry laws are broken?

Shhhhh ... don't make this complicated with logic and reasoning.

 

[HomerJS]

FYI - In Texas sex toys are regulated yet they have unrestricted open carry.

NSFW shirt spotted at 'Cocks Not Glocks' protest at University of Texas at Austin (chron.com)

 

[fskimospy]

I would absolutely call the police, no question.

It’s amazing to me how we as a society have lost all common sense when it comes to guns. Pro gun people often say that looser gun laws won’t turn our country into the Wild West and sadly that’s true - in the Wild West you were often prohibited from openly carrying guns around. (The shootout at the OK Corral was due to the bad guys refusing to turn in their weapons in town)

Don’t walk around town carrying weapons of mass killing. This is not complicated and something all people with a normal brain can understand.

 

[HomerJS]

Agree with this. I wouldn't be terribly perturbed about seeing someone with a sidearm on their hip/under a coat, but it's far different with long arms slung, body armor on, etc. I'd feel similarly if someone was walking around a walmart with a longsword unsheathed, or like an idling chainsaw or some shit.

One is 2A, one is brandishing in a threatening manner. There's grey area in between but this one's like porn; I know it when I see it.

This is the definition of brandishing. Doesn't sound like he violated just open carried. I'm questioning the sense of open carry laws. In Texas is it unrestricted (no license required). Police can take action where no law was violated. That's exactly how John Crawford and Tamir Rice lost their lives.
Brandish Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

 

[Brainonska511]

Isnt the fact that they are charging him an admission that those open carry laws are broken?

I think in some jurisdictions, the way open carry laws have been written, there is often little that DAs can charge with if someone wants to just be a general dickhead with their open carry. It may not be in the article the OP linked, but that issue was discussed in another article on this particular incident.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

This is the definition of brandishing. Doesn't sound like he violated just open carried. I'm questioning the sense of open carry laws. In Texas is it unrestricted (no license required). Police can take action where no law was violated. That's exactly how John Crawford and Tamir Rice lost their lives.
Brandish Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Carrying multiple long arms and visible body armor in a public place is exactly exhibiting in an ostentatious manner. It's likely intended to also be aggressive, whether it was or not depends on the person. A 20-30-something male may not feel he's being aggressive, but what about a 70yo woman? Or a child who's school got shot up 6 weeks ago?

 

[alien42]

This incident happened like 2 years ago, long before the new open carry law was enacted.

 

[WelshBloke]

This incident happened like 2 years ago, long before the new open carry law was enacted.

I'm not up on US law. Is the new legislation more or less liberal on open carry?

 

[CHADBOGA]

This part sounds concerning "Marley was wearing body armor and had a ski mask when he was detained, the report said. "

 

[eelw]

What part of it crosses the 2A line? Looking for a greater discussion of allowing open carry.

Still waiting for the gun nutters demanding their drones and nukes

 

[WelshBloke]

This part sounds concerning "Marley was wearing body armor and had a ski mask when he was detained, the report said. "

I mean yeah.
It's not the four hand guns, the shot gun or the AR that's worrying.
It's the knitted headwear.
Americans be crazy.

 

[alien42]

I'm not up on US law. Is the new legislation more or less liberal on open carry?

This isn't about US law, it's state law. The new law in GA allows permitless carry in most public places.

 

[MrSquished]

These super open carry dudes are mentally ill.