TX: 19-Year-Old was Likely Carrying Slung Mosin-Nagant Rifle when He was Tased

Gun Watch ^ | 18 April, 2014 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

Photo: Alma E. Hernandez, For The San Antonio Express News

Henry Vichique, shown with his pregnant wife, above, is the 19 year old man who was tased by police for carrying a WWII Russian rifle in a San Antonio residential neighborhood while walking home.  From the Houston Chronicle:

San Antonio police arrested him March 30 while he was walking home with a loaded Russian World War II-vintage rifle slung across his shoulder.

The event occurred after dark.   Police at the scene told Henry that people had reported that he had been pointing the rifle at others.   Henry replied that he had never done so, and he could prove it because he had video taped the event.   It appeared that the encounter was over when third police officer showed up and tased Henry.   Henry had answered the previous police officers questions about the rifle that was slung on his back.   Yes, it was loaded.

San Antonio has a local ordinance that bans the carry of loaded rifles.  Texas has a strong preemption law that forbids local ordinances regulating the carry of firearms, and a state Constitution that protects the carrying of long guns.

While we do not have a picture of the rifle, as a WWII era Russian rifle, it is very likely one of the ubiquitous Mosin-Nagants.

Texas is one of a few states that bans the open carry of modern handguns in most public settings.   During the last year, a grassroots movement of carrying long guns openly in public has sprung up in an attempt to spur legislative reform.. Both Republican and Democrat candidates for governor in Texas have said that they favor the legalization of the open carry of handguns.

The picture of Henry and his wife above was take during a protest of Henry's tasing and arrest.  He has been charged under the local ordinance.

©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
Link to Gun Watch

[marktwain]

In the video of the event, one of the officers claims that this young man looks "younger than 19". To me, he looks more mature than the average 19 year old.

[Lurker]

San Antonio city government is going to be writing a nice fat check to this young man soon. And the cop needs to be fired.

[headstamp 2]

I hope he didn’t have a dog.

[mad_as_he$$]

My first take on the image was “Where is the 19 year old?”

[The_Media_never_lie]

Doesn’t this young man have anything better to do?

[mad_as_he$$]

Taser protection:

http://news.cnet.com/Polyester-fabric-neutralizes-stun-gun-jolt/2100-1008_3-6057801.html
Or just be a tough SOB Nevadan and reach down and pull the prongs out....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4-jXGh4ANg

Time: 1:33

[mad_as_he$$]

Working to keep and protect rights is not a worthy effort? Why are you on FR?

[Blue Collar Christian]

IF a citizen complained of this man pointing the weapon at anyone, that citizen needs to spend some time bunking with Bubba in state prison. IF NOT, then a certain policeman needs to spend some time bunking with Bubba in state prison.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

More presumption by stupid idiot cops...

When I was 24, some midget micro-penis sized cop wouldn’t allow me into a bar because I “looked” like 18 to him.

I was a strong advocate for police before that incident... Now however.... F-’em!

My kids are learning to avoid cops at all costs since nowadays their very lives depend on it.

[X-spurt]

Walking at night with PG wife in SA can be dangerous, only with loaded gun is the prudent to do so.

[basil]

I was about to ask the same question……..

[x1stcav]

I’m in my late 60’s and have come full circle from support of LEO’s.

My advice to anyone is NEVER have any interaction with them.

Avoid them at any cost.

They need to be drug tested.

[Georgia Girl 2]

What’s better than exercising your 2nd ammendment rights?

You do realize you are on Free Republic right? Not salon.com

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

Practicing a constitutional right that clearly states “shall not be infringed” not OK.

Illegals and drug gangs swarming across the border like a massive cattle stampede, perfectly OK.

[sport]

He was lucky the cop did not fill him full of lead.

[sport]

To agitate, create dissension, demonize, get people to make emotional statements, for a paycheck to name a few. We have more than our share of the on this forum.

[sport]

The citizen that complained should have came forward and proved that Hernandez pointed the rifle at him.

[marktwain]

“He was lucky the cop did not fill him full of lead.”

Perhaps so. The farmers at Concord Bridge were lucky that the Redcoats did not fill them full of lead. Some were not lucky, and were killed.

You could even make the case that Mr. Vichique was legally correct, while the farmers were in defiance of the crown.

Sometimes, you have to chose your line in the sand and make a stand.

[sport]

I wasn't meaning to imply that he should not have done it. I was meaning to convey that he was lucky to escape the fate of the West Point graduate at Las Vagas where the cops just walked up to him and started shooting.

[the OlLine Rebel]

This man is 19? He and his wife I guess look a little older.

But then, maybe it’s because they actually dress maturely rather than looking the common childish scum so typical today.