Anti-Gun Advocates "Swatting" Those Who Carry

2015-09-02T12:41:30-04:00

Gun control groups accused of "swatting" open-carry permit holders, putting lives at risk.

Should "swatting" legal owners who carry be illegal?

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/09/01/gun-control-groups-accused-swatting-open-carry-permit-holders-putting-lives-at/

Gun control groups accused of ‘swatting’ open-carry permit holders, putting lives at risk

An anti-gun lobby group has drawn the ire of second amendment supporters by going on social media and asking the public to call the cops on anyone open-carrying a gun.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 2 at 2015 12:44 PM

2015-09-02T12:44:42-04:00

Richards. (get it?) Here in cowboy land (Arizona) people don't look twice for people open carrying. I have a neighbor who is 70 and she has a .357 cowboy setup complete with 20+ extra rounds. No one is snatching her purse.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 12:45 PM

2015-09-02T12:45:48-04:00

Good way to get shot.

Edit: Seen a tweet from FB that stated that if they (the tweeter) found someone who is open-carrying they would pepperspray them and hold them at gun point until the police would show up. Same rhetoric as the 'swatting'.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 2 at 2015 12:48 PM

2015-09-02T12:48:14-04:00

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member - If individuals call 911 when they know there is no real threat, they should be arrested and charged, just like anybody else who makes a false report. Just "seeing a gun and feeling scared", without anything else that would cause a normal person to feel threatened, should not be a viable defense.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 2 at 2015 12:51 PM

2015-09-02T12:51:52-04:00

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member Unless someone is known danger let's quit wasting our public servants times on nothing. Our peacekeepers need to be out there solving real crime. Stiff penalty!

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Sep 2 at 2015 2:14 PM

2015-09-02T14:14:08-04:00

Not only should it be illegal (if not already), but the penalties should be HUGE!! 1. It is a waste of resources, 2. it is endangering the lives of innocent people. When cops respond to a firearms threat, they come primed for action....endangering the LEGAL carry, non-risk person. When guns are drawn, there is increased risk of bad things happening...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 2:51 PM

2015-09-02T14:51:42-04:00

I really don't care. I will follow orders and address the policeman respectfully and provide him with my carry permit and let him inspect my weapon if he so wishes. Being respectful and cooperative gun owners will strengthen our relationship with law enforcement while 911 calls will weaken the hippies case against us. Should abuse of the emergency call line be illegal, yes it should be and yes it is. Seeing me walking with my wife and kids while carrying a defensive weapon is not cause for a call to the police.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 3:00 PM

2015-09-02T15:00:45-04:00

Honestly, if you're not in a region where there's a serious and real advantage to open carry (or have some other, non-personality factor), you probably shouldn't be doing. It's hubris, pure and simple, to expect everyone else around you to know that you're one of those magical "good guys" who wouldn't do anything wrong. The "bad guys" can easily look like the "good guys" until they open fire. Let us never mind the fact that it gives those who would do ill knowledge of the priority targets.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 2 at 2015 3:26 PM

2015-09-02T15:26:27-04:00

Here is an easy fix for this. If the officers respond and it turns out to be a bogus complaint, the one making the call should be charged the entire cost including support staff of the police responding to the call. I am talking the fully burdened rate of every single person involved with the call, the gas, the electricity, everything.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Sep 2 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-09-02T15:45:50-04:00

If it happens enough, they undermine themselves. Cops will stop answering the calls. When there is a real issue they may not respond fast enough or at all. That will lie at the feet of the swatters. If you are carrying legally there is little to worry about. Cops know about the swatters and will be able to separate fact from fiction pretty quickly.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 8:15 PM

2015-09-02T20:15:11-04:00

It is, as already stated, illegal. In fact, if I remember correctly, there was a case not long ago where a family got "SWATed" and the man of the house was shot by the police. The SWATer got charged with domestic terrorism, attempted murder, and a few other charges. The SWATer was a teenager pissed about getting his ass kicked in an online video game. He was charged as an adult, and I think got 40 years hard time.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Sep 14 at 2015 9:47 AM

2015-09-14T09:47:24-04:00

If nothing else, it should open the swatters to civil suits and the police departments to cease and desist suits or even personal liability for civil rights violations. Exercising Constitutional rights is a civil right.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2015 10:12 AM

2015-09-14T10:12:36-04:00

More mindless insanity from the timid...I myself consider "open carry" to be a potentially "unwise" personal choice, but this is asking for trouble. I agree with those suggesting this a mis-use of LE time and a possible instigation rather than control.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Sep 14 at 2015 10:40 AM

2015-09-14T10:40:52-04:00

If it's an open-carry state the cops should be telling the callers it's legal.
If it's permit based, how do you know the carrier has the permit and is not an off the rails psyco on the way to spray a recruiting office?

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Jul 11 at 2017 7:33 AM

2017-07-11T07:33:22-04:00

I am a retired law enforcement officer and on the subject of “Anti-Gun Advocates "Swatting" Those Who Carry I am going to give people a rude awakening. Under criminal and tort (Civil) law you are responsible for your actions so if you decide to “SWAT” someone you will have at least one very hungry lawyer who is going to sue the Hell out of you. Whether or not you will be sharing a cell with “Bubba” is a matter for the several states to decide on. Since I live in the Commonwealth of Virginia I know a lot of the “HUNGRY” lawyers down here. Frankly they breed just like rats!!!

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Feb 23 at 2018 4:27 PM

2018-02-23T16:27:31-05:00

People are afraid of morons with guns, you can't blame them. If you can't go out without a gun, stay home

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 12 at 2021 7:00 AM

2021-03-12T07:00:18-05:00

It should be a felony, and if someone is injured or killed as a result of that felony it should carry appropriate sentences, fines and life altering crap.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 12 at 2021 10:29 AM

2021-03-12T10:29:20-05:00

People need to held accountable for crap like this.