Posted on 08/31/2009 5:07:32 AM PDT by marktwain
To passers-by, the event at Lake Loveland on Wednesday looked like any other friendly picnic.
Casseroles were served on disposable plates, and the local wasp population was abuzz in anticipation of finding a soda can left unattended for too long.
But a closer inspection of the 10 or so participants showed it was more than just a dinner — it was an opportunity to send a message. Several local gun owners used the picnic at South Shore Scenic Park to show solidarity with a man who was approached last year by police because he was openly carrying a firearm. Six of them carried their weapons openly, too.
The event stemmed from the October 2008 stop of resident Bill Miller, who was questioned by Loveland police for carrying a holstered sidearm at the park on the south side of Lake Loveland.
Police questioned Miller and briefly took his gun and unloaded it, checking both him and the gun before returning the sidearm and releasing Miller, who never was under arrest.
The American Civil Liberties Union sent the department a letter in July protesting the stop as a violation of Miller’s Second Amendment rights.
Rachel Hawkridge, who organized Wednesday’s event, saw the report on the gun rights advocacy Web site www.opencarry.org.
“I was incensed, quite frankly,” she said. Although she now lives in Washington state, she still has family in Northern Colorado. While here visiting, she decided to put on the event by word-of-mouth.
“The liberty community is well-connected,” she said.
Other events across the country have attracted large groups of open-carry supporters, according to Bryce Nelson of Drake. He noted an event in Wisconsin that drew more than 200 gun-carrying participants.
While there were a few joggers and people walking their dogs, there was no reaction that would indicate anything was unusual.
“As long as this group is going to be peaceable, we will allow them to exercise their Second Amendment right to bear arms,” said Loveland Police Chief Luke Hecker. “I think it’s that simple.”
Hecker defended his officers’ actions in the 2008 incident, saying they did the right thing. He said the officers stopped Miller for the safety of the people at the park and the officers themselves.
No police officers showed up at Wednesday’s gathering.
Reporter-Herald Staff Writer Jon Pilsner contributed to this report.
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Is this from The Onion, or are there snowballs in Hades?
There is little love in loveland.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
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