Local news reports
A 2nd Amendment activist was arrested by McAllen police when he went to the station with a rifle and knife.
Police said Little Elm resident, Zach William Horton showed up to the department requesting a photo of himself in front of the facility with his assault rifle.
Horton was told he would not be allowed to take the photo and shortly after leaving, he returned in his car to the building with the prohibited weapons, according to police.
Officers said that is when they arrested the 37-year-old for carrying a weapon on places where weapons are prohibited and trespassing.
Horton’s rifle was fully loaded with 65 rounds of ammunition.
The case is being forwarded to the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s office.
Horton’s bond was set at $25,000.
The activist stood outside the Brownsville Police Department on Wednesday with his rifle, peacefully demonstrating his 2nd Ammendment right.
The Brownsville police had granted him permission as long as he had five officers surrounding him to ensure safety.
If these guys really believed in their cause they'd set themselves on fire.
"If these guys really believed in their cause they'd set themselves on fire."
ReplyDeleteThanks, but self immolation isn't exactly one of our favored tactics. You are welcome to take your own advice though.
"Horton’s rifle was fully loaded with 65 rounds of ammunition."
ReplyDeleteA 65 round magazine, proof that people will buy anything. I'm not familiar with the laws down there, so maybe Texas Colt Carry can inform us. All I'm seeing is someone carrying a rifle on a public sidewalk in front of the building.
Open carry of a long gun is legal in Texas as long as the location your at does not prohibit it. Law enforcement locations is one of the prohibited locations. He should have just complied and moved on.
Delete"Law enforcement locations is one of the prohibited locations."
DeleteSo in order for him to be charged, he would have needed to enter the building? The article doesn't seem to say and all I'm seeing is that he had his picture taken on the sidewalk outside.
"Police later dropped the trespassing charge and Horton was released on a $25,000 bond. By then, Open Carry Texas had already organized the demonstration, which drew open carry advocates from across Texas."
http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/article_cc3e95e4-01f3-11e3-a064-0019bb30f31a.html
No, he can be charged anywhere, whether he gets convicted or not depends on his lawyers ability to present facts and the letter of the law. It is defacto illegal to enter the "premises" of a police station which is inside the building which he didn't do. But if your told that you can't be on a property by the owner or by someone in control of said property and remain there then you are trespassing, armed or not.
DeleteHe asked for permission to hold an open carry event on city police property and was denied. He returned and remained after being denied, so a trespass charge is appropriate. I can think of three other charges that could stick as well. Like I said, he should have just moved on.
Sarge, read Texas 30.05 and 30.06 tresspass law.
So you're saying that we should take the approach that sparked the Arab Spring? And you say you don't want a revolution...
ReplyDeleteWhat I say is these open carry protesters do more harm to your cause than good. Anyone agree with that?
ReplyDeleteJohn Brown's body lies a molding in the grave, but his soul is marching on.
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