Posted on 02/10/2014 12:30:29 PM PST by Responsibility2nd
BEAUMONT - Beaumont police were called to Eastex Freeway near Highway 105 Saturday morning by people complaining about a man dressed as a banana holding an AK-47.
Derek Poe, owner of Golden Triangle Tactical, told 12News Saturday that it was part of the store's grand opening after moving locations from Parkdale Mall.
Poe said the man in the banana suit was holding an AK-47 across his back with the barrel pointing down and holding a sign with an arrow pointing toward the store. He said this idea was to attract customers to the store.
A Beaumont police spokesperson said officers temporarily detained the 18-year-old and found he had the rifle with a drum magazine attached with at least a 50-round capacity. The spokesperson said the teen was cited for violating a city ordinance that prohibits soliciting in and alongside roadways.
Sgt. Rob Flores said police also gathered the necessary information on the weapon and completed paperwork for consultation with the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office concerning possible future criminal charges related to his display of the firearm.
In December, Poe was stopped by police inside Parkdale Mall for carrying an assault rifle along his back. He was on his way to his store which was inside Parkdale Mall at the time.
His gun was seized and he was later charged with disorderly conduct after police say witnesses claimed they were scared for their lives.
Poe claims he was exercising his second amendment right to open carry.
Parkdale Mall then placed signs along each parking lot entrance reminding customers of its policy on guns which states concealed handguns are prohibited.
Poe then moved his business from Parkdale Mall to another location on Eastex Freeway.
Did the AK have a banana clip?
I’m not sure what fine they will pay or what court costs might be. But the owner is a brilliant marketing genius as is apparent by the simple fact that this made the news.
He should see a good uptick in business.
It’s Beaumont.
Saturday morning cartoons suck these days so dress like a banana and brandish.
What the hell, man.
His methods are certainly unorthodox but they do have a certain ap-peel.
Did they cite the beggar on the next corner for soliciting spare change? Just wondering.
weird, it’s usually an AK-47 walking around with a banana.
What if he dressed up as a pointed stick?
The tragic fallout of no five day ripening period.
Puleeze! Liberals wet themselves at the mere thought of a private citizen with a firearm.
I lived in TX (several years ago) and was under the impression that, beyond trespassing upon being asked to leave a premises, signs restricting the legal carry and concealment of weapons did not carry legal weight. Does anyone know the law down there?
TX:Man who carried AR-15 on his back inside mall says charges not warranted
12newsnow.com ^ | 3 January, 2014 | Agustin Garfias
Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2014 8:06:34 PM by marktwain
BEAUMONT -
A Beaumont store owner charged with disorderly conduct insists he never broke the law and was just exercising his second amendment rights.
On Dec. 28, Derek Poe stopped by GameStop in Parkdale Mall before going to the store he owns in the mall, Golden Triangle Tactical. While at GameStop, he was stopped by police officers and the AR-15 that was slung around his back was seized.
Poe says he was just exercising his right to open carry a long rifle.
Police have charged him with disorderly conduct because he displayed a firearm "In a manner calculated to alarm."
Poe disagrees saying his rifle was facing barrel down on his back and his hands weren't even on the gun.
(Excerpt) Read more at 12newsnow.com ...
Texas Mall that Banned Guns over Open Carry Losing Business
Gun Watch ^ | 15 January, 2014 | Dean Weingarten
Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 12:56:29 PM by marktwain
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TX:Open Carry Rally in Beaumont
Gun Watch ^ | 21 January, 2013 | Dean Weingarten
Posted on Monday, January 20, 2014 8:40:37 PM by marktwain
He’s going to appeal the citation.
It's all a bunch of nonsense!
He’s in a bunch of trouble now...
For what it’s worth, beggars alongside roadways in Beaumont are an extreme rarity. Whether it’s because the city officials don’t put up with such crap, or because the residents are tight-fisted with their dough and unwelcoming of bums, I’m not sure. Probably a bit of both.
Houston and Austin seem much more embracing of them.
You’ll wonder where the yellow went when Beaumont stops the sales event....................
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