[stuartcr]

I don’t understand why anyone would carry open, at a family festival event, with so mny people in close proximity to each other. Having both hands pre-occupied, lends itself to having one’s weapon easily taken. Regardless of the lagality, I think it was a pretty irresponsible thing to do.

[ontap]

Could not disagree more. Same argument could be made concerning a police officer. Right to carry means nothing if one stops because of any number of negative scenarios. Right to carry means exactly that.

[P8riot]

I don’t understand why anyone would carry open, at a family festival event, with so mny people in close proximity to each other.

Because, according to Virginia law, we are prohibited from carrying concealed at events or places where alcohol is sold or served. The gentleman in question was acting in accordance with the law. What should he have done, not carried at all and left himself and his family unprotected? I guess it's been a while since you were in Norfolk, VA.

[BlackbirdSST]

Regardless of the lagality, I think it was a pretty irresponsible thing to do.

I see nothing irresponsible at all in open carry. I prefer it. It leaves no doubt. In the first incident, the stoopid coppers couldn't even unholster his weapon while the guy was being cuffed. Try and tackle me to get my weapon and you're going to feel your eyeballs depressurize as my thumbs enter. Self Defense doesn't start and end with firearms. Blackbird.

[Mad Dawg]

Virginia Citizens Defense League and I’m sorry. You mean Virginia is NOT the center of the universe? My Bad.

[Mad Dawg]

I also disapprove of carrying openly unless you have at least a level 2 holster, and a knife on your weak side to use in poking people who try to take your gun.

But I disapprove of the Norfolk Gestapo even more.

[hopespringseternal]

I don’t understand why anyone would carry open, at a family festival event, with so mny people in close proximity to each other. Having both hands pre-occupied, lends itself to having one’s weapon easily taken. Regardless of the lagality, I think it was a pretty irresponsible thing to do.

So you think the police walking around at this event don't eat while carrying?

[Hazcat]

I don’t understand why anyone would carry open, at a family festival event,

I carry everywhere it is legal, it is my job to protect me and mine.

with so mny people in close proximity to each other. Having both hands pre-occupied, lends itself to having one’s weapon easily taken. Regardless of the lagality, I think it was a pretty irresponsible thing to do.

With a level three or four holster is would be VERY difficult for some one to take his gun. Was he using such a holster? I do not know but I am not going to judge the ease of having his gun taken especially when the COPS (or thugs in this case) had a problem getting his gun out of the holster.

What do the levels on a Safariland holster mean?

Safariland's Holster Rating System is intended for holsters in new condition and can be used to evaluate any holster permitting the holster is properly adjusted for the weapon. The holster should be mounted on an appropriate duty belt and secured as it would normally be worn. The wearer is not permitted to hold the holster or belt during the test. The attacker has five seconds and can use both hands to apply force to the stock of the handgun. No intentional force may be applied to the release strap mechanism in the direction that is normally used to open the strap.

Level 1 (a) Pull as hard as possible in all directions on the handle while violently twisting the weapon in all directions. If the weapon remains in the holster and the holster remains on the belt, make a normal draw to ensure the securing mechanism is not jammed. (b) Remove the holster from wearer, release external straps and invert with a light shake. The weapon should not fall out of the holster. If both tests are successful, the holster is rated at Level 1. If a holster fails, it cannot be tested for any other levels.

Level 2 Unlock the primary security device and apply force pulling forward, straight up, towards the side, and from the back. If the holster has an additional device which offers measurable security in any of the directions, it meets Level 2.

Level 3 The holster must have two independent securing devices during the Level 1 tests. If the holster offers retention with both devices open, it is rated at Level 3.

Level 4 The holster must have three independent securing devices during the Level 1 tests. If the holster offers retention with the three devices open, it is rated at Level 4.

[ikka]

I don’t understand why anyone would carry open, at a family festival event, with so mny people in close proximity to each other. Having both hands pre-occupied, lends itself to having one’s weapon easily taken. Regardless of the lagality, I think it was a pretty irresponsible thing to do.

Given that the article states the police themselves had difficulty removing the gun, I don't think it would have been any easier for someone else to remove the gun.

Do the words "Luby's Massacre" mean anything to you? I for one praise Mr. Syzmecki.

[Teacher317]

I don’t understand why anyone would carry open, at a family festival event, with so mny people in close proximity to each other.

You mean like a police officer or security guard? Shall we just ban firearms altogether?

[Hot Tabasco]

Having both hands pre-occupied, lends itself to having one’s weapon easily taken.

Anyone harboring thoughts of attempting to steal another individual's firearm is precisely the reason such individual chooses to exercise their legal right to openly carry.....

[looscnnn]

Yeah, cause the gun jump out of the holster and easily shoot so many people. Like shooting fish in a barrel.

[Natural Law]

I would hope that those who chose to openly exercise their 2nd Amendment rights would at least be cognizant of the political situation and the fact that there is a war on terror going on. Anyone who openly carries, regardless of the laws, knows that they are inviting a shitstorm. Cops are not lawyers or rocket scientists and many are only in it because it permits them to be bullies. Those who carry should probably plan on being hassled and shouldn’t be surprised when it happens.

[Old Professer]

I guess you haven’t ever tried to run after being slapped upside the head with a wet waffle while slipping in the mess on the now slimy grass, have you?

[Osage Orange]

Your first three words...explain it.

[R. Scott]

I don’t understand why anyone would carry open, at a family festival event...

The case has enraged the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a gun rights group that has successfully challenged local gun restrictions around the commonwealth. Szymecki is a member. In the past the group has protested Norfolk's attempts to prevent the carrying of weapons in city parks.

http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=128887&ran=175683