Fort Bragg soldier arrested for having assault rifle in mall. What is up with this?

2015-07-03T08:54:38-04:00

A Fort Bragg soldier walked through a bustling mall Thursday armed with an assault rifle — planning to have his picture taken. Now come on, where in hell is the common sense in this? Bryan Scott Wolfinger, 25, terrified patrons and sent the shopping center into lockdown. He was arrested and charged with going armed to the terror of the public. Well no shit, what did he expect anyway?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 8:56 AM

2015-07-03T08:56:54-04:00

Open carry is legal in NC?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 8:58 AM

2015-07-03T08:58:30-04:00

Failure to exercise common sense. Guns are like penises. Just because you have one doesn't mean everyone wants to see you wave it around everywhere.

Response by SFC Maury Gonzalez made Jul 3 at 2015 8:58 AM

2015-07-03T08:58:31-04:00

Stupid is what stupid does- SGT Forrest Gump

Response by SSG John Erny made Jul 3 at 2015 9:02 AM

2015-07-03T09:02:26-04:00

Clearly an ID 10-T error on his part or in short form ID10T

Response by SGT Kristjan Rahe made Jul 3 at 2015 9:02 AM

2015-07-03T09:02:45-04:00

The "open carry" activism within this country has taken common sense and thrown it out the window. I saw many that said they would boycott Chipotle over the gun issue but missed the fact that you had two idiot walk into a restaurant filled with people with an AK 47 and AR 15 expecting ev everyone to be all mellow. In NC there is a law Armed to the Terror of the Public which this soldier would fall in to. Open carry in NC is a pistol in a holster and even that does not allow a theater, bank, courthouse etc. I am a big 2d amendment proponent and NRA member but common sense must be used. We are facing a major terror threat, the FBI has cancelled leaves this weekend.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 3 at 2015 9:09 AM

2015-07-03T09:09:33-04:00

Hmmmmm....

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 3 at 2015 9:18 AM

2015-07-03T09:18:36-04:00

Please clarify Assault Rifle.

Assault Rifle means something very specific in the law (like select fire weapon). An M16 is an Assault Rifle. Ownership of an Assault Rifle requires a Tax Stamp under the National Firearms Act (NFA 1934)

Assault Weapon is a descriptive term applied to firearms that look like Assault Rifles. An AR15, depending on state, may or may not be an "Assault Weapon." It is a misleading term.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 9:24 AM

2015-07-03T09:24:54-04:00

Just put him in the holding cell with the other dumb asses that don't think before they act.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 9:52 AM

2015-07-03T09:52:12-04:00

Dumbass. That is all I can say about this cat.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 9:52 AM

2015-07-03T09:52:12-04:00

Was the soldier carrying is military issue M-4 assault rifle or the civilian AR-15? Either way I see poor judgement, but an AR-15 is not an assault rifle.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jul 3 at 2015 10:18 AM

2015-07-03T10:18:38-04:00

This may be more of a technical point, but North Carolina does not have assault weapon laws, so it is not actually possible for this person to be carrying an assault weapon in North Carolina. The reference (I didn't see an article) could have said "Soldier carries rifle into mall" if you want it to, but "assault rifle" is a political term, and not applicable in this case.

Response by SCPO Lee Pradia made Jul 3 at 2015 10:26 AM

2015-07-03T10:26:45-04:00

Just read the article, said he had an AR-15, live rounds and Kevlar vest, he wanted to take pics with his military gear. I would hate to be in his COC.
Talk about poor decision making.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 3 at 2015 10:48 AM

2015-07-03T10:48:36-04:00

This Soldier definitely was in the wrong. I did some quick research on North Carolina open carry laws and they do NOT include rifles.

Also, SGT Wolfinger had on his person "military ballistic panel carrier and multiple high-capacity rifle magazines" when he was taken into custody.

I'm all for Constitutional open-carry, and if one wants to open carry a rifle, go for it. However, when you're dressed the way Wolfinger was and carrying that type of gear, what did he expect would happen? The smart thing would have been for him to bring the rifle in a case, possibly broken down and assemble it once he got to the photo shoot. Also he should have carried all of his other gear in a duffel bag and changed into it again at the photo shoot.

Also, I agree with posters like Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS. Just because some politician who's never fired a gun in their lives says an "AR 15" is an "assault rifle" doesn't mean that it is. It's a semi-automatic rifle, nothing more/nothing less. People also seem to forget that AR 15 is a name brand, so I wonder if Wolfinger was carrying an actual AR 15 or an AR 15 "style" semi-automatic rifle.

Response by SSG James Kirkland made Jul 3 at 2015 11:05 AM

2015-07-03T11:05:30-04:00

Menacing

Response by MSgt Manuel Diaz made Jul 3 at 2015 11:34 AM

2015-07-03T11:34:40-04:00

If he was gonna get a picture with it, he should have used common sense and covered it; however he committed no crime, as it is a freedom guaranteed by the constitution. That is a false arrest in that it can be used to arrest anybody whether armed with a key ring pocket knife or a big tool of some sort that needs to be returned because you are pissed it broke first time used. Police could have after apprehension asked and and escorted him to his photo shoot and back to his exit instead of swat team tactics and making him a felon for the rest of his life because neither used common sense.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Jul 3 at 2015 11:55 AM

2015-07-03T11:55:48-04:00

Sgt David G Duchesneau, first I will 'rant' a bit about your question and then I will tell you my feelings regarding your question. He did not "walk through a bustling mall armed with an assault rifle". He was carrying an AR-15 which is a definitely NOT an assault rifle. It creates a negative image of gun owners and I really wish people would just stop.

Secondly, we are probably years away (if not longer), with the general public NOT being comfortable with folks open carrying (esp. a rifle). Shoving our desire to open carry down the throats is probably not the best coarse of action. Besides, why do we carry in public? To defend ourselves and families right? I wouldn't think that an AR is the best choice for that in my personal opinion.

Response by PO1 Shahida Marmol made Jul 3 at 2015 12:26 PM

2015-07-03T12:26:25-04:00

While, it may have not been against the law technically in N.C., don't you think with things happening recently in our nation that maybe he was a bit threatening? If all he wanted was a professional photo with it, why wouldn't he cover it up to not frighten all those people? Maybe he meant no harm, but it doesn't mean that the people were aware of that.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 3 at 2015 12:26 PM

2015-07-03T12:26:45-04:00

Men are not immune to stupidity, especially when they say watch this.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 3 at 2015 1:02 PM

2015-07-03T13:02:22-04:00

We should stop using the term "common sense". Good sense isn't so commonly found.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 2:54 PM

2015-07-03T14:54:40-04:00

He made a really stupid decision. I haven't been at Bragg for a couple years but I was stationed here for almost 14 years. I happen to know for a FACT that signs are posted at every entrance that you can't bring firearms into Cross Creek Mall. On another note, the media is sensationalizing a lot of this. It made it onto the national news since I saw it this morning out here.

The AR on these platforms actually refers to Armalite and although the media loves to tag it as "Assault Rifle", they're wrong.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Jul 3 at 2015 3:07 PM

2015-07-03T15:07:13-04:00

Yeah. Ok.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 3 at 2015 3:07 PM

2015-07-03T15:07:21-04:00

I mean, what did he think was going to happen?

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jul 3 at 2015 3:38 PM

2015-07-03T15:38:08-04:00

There are different reports out. I don't know which one to believe. The one I heard he was walking down a street. I heard nothing about a mall.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jul 3 at 2015 3:40 PM

2015-07-03T15:40:01-04:00

Regardless if it was a rifle or an assault rifle or a machine gun, the point is what he did was really stupid and completely thoughtless and he deserves whatever flack he gets for it. Walking through a mall with a shoulder strapped weapon like that legal or not is still going to cause a problem, just because someone can do something doesn't mean they should and in this case he had no legal barring at all.

Response by SSG Eric Trace made Jul 3 at 2015 3:53 PM

2015-07-03T15:53:43-04:00

Should have checked the "Civilian Pucker Factor" on this one. With the world climate the way it is, it never would have passed that one. Have some sense "Common that is" tell photog what your plan for the pic is and he /she would have come to you, BOLO award goes to!!!!!

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 3 at 2015 4:45 PM

2015-07-03T16:45:32-04:00

Bad judgement. There's really no reason for this. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. I would have him ruin for a chat and the would be mopping the motor pool every time that it rained until cured of the dumbass.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jul 3 at 2015 6:50 PM

2015-07-03T18:50:23-04:00

This act was senseless (Come on Man) use your head.

Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made Jul 3 at 2015 7:36 PM

2015-07-03T19:36:49-04:00

Texas is an open long arm carry state.
If there is no sign at the entrance all they can do is ask him to leave.

What's the states law on it.

I do not recomend people do this but if it is there right and they can leagally do it I will back them up.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 7:38 PM

2015-07-03T19:38:16-04:00

This really bothers me. I was a cop in NC for several years. I have charged a person with this exact time in the past. The person I charged had a knife. You play stupid games you win stupid prizes. But there were so many issues here. I don't understand why he just carried it in like that? Why did he have all of the magazines with live ammo? Why didn't he use a case for the weapon? If I was a cop I would have thought he was going to be an active shooter. He made some extremely poor decisions.

I really wonder if he was not naive? I can't help what could have happened if he intended to commit attack civilians there. I don't it would have happened but it would have been bad.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 4 at 2015 1:09 AM

2015-07-04T01:09:37-04:00

ATW....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2015 8:54 AM

2015-07-04T08:54:06-04:00

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2015 9:30 AM

2015-07-04T09:30:07-04:00

I wonder if the media would flip out as much if someone was open carrying a remington 700. A less contentious firearm that is a far more capable weapon system

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made Jul 4 at 2015 10:42 AM

2015-07-04T10:42:41-04:00

He had an AR 15 (which has never assaulted anyone). He should have brought it in a bag instead of wearing a plate carrier loaded with ammo.

Response by LTC John Wilson made Jul 4 at 2015 12:45 PM

2015-07-04T12:45:31-04:00

Typical Joe.... Now the Ft Bragg Weekend Safety Briefings just got a little longer....

Of course, if he'd tucked it all in a duffle bag to get to the studio, no one would've been the wiser.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Jul 4 at 2015 5:48 PM

2015-07-04T17:48:50-04:00

that's an odd charge.

Response by SGT Carissa Lara, RCS made Jul 4 at 2015 7:19 PM

2015-07-04T19:19:32-04:00

I think this guy lacks a lot of common sense. In this day and age of mass shootings he should have realized that wearing military gear and walking though the mall with any type of weapon would create a panic. If he was going to or from and photo shoot then he should have placed his items into a bag of some sort.
I know if I was walking threw the mall with my kids and I saw someone wearing a military vest and carrying a weapon I wouldn't stop to wonder if it was loaded or what his intention were.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2015 8:10 PM

2015-07-04T20:10:51-04:00

Fort Bragg Implements Mandatory 'Self-Awareness' Training

They are trying to teach them to act like "normals" for at least 10 goddamned minutes.

Response by SGT Tyler C. made Jul 4 at 2015 8:25 PM

2015-07-04T20:25:42-04:00

Bet this wasnt in his safety brief.

Response by SPC Thomas Baldwin made Jul 5 at 2015 1:45 AM

2015-07-05T01:45:52-04:00

I still don't get how he thought this was OK even in a open carry state. If he wanted picture he could have brought everything in cases to the studio and did the photo. I think he was showing off just a bit.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Jul 5 at 2015 8:23 AM

2015-07-05T08:23:14-04:00

Maybe he was used to getting his fast food combo while packing heat back home in Utah. This ain't Utah, Soldier.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Jul 5 at 2015 8:28 AM

2015-07-05T08:28:30-04:00

But did he have on his PT belt?

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Jul 5 at 2015 8:33 AM

2015-07-05T08:33:20-04:00

That's why they make gun cases. Duh!!!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2015 11:06 AM

2015-07-05T11:06:03-04:00

Personally, I think this guy s a moron. I'm all for open-carry and for our Constitutional rights. HOWEVER, it comes with a lot of responsibilities and common sense.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2015 11:06 AM

2015-07-05T11:06:30-04:00

Personally, I think this guy s a moron. I'm all for open-carry and for our Constitutional rights. HOWEVER, it comes with a lot of responsibilities and common sense.

Response by SSG Zach McIlwain made Jul 5 at 2015 1:00 PM

2015-07-05T13:00:50-04:00

There seems to be conflicting stories as to what actually happened. If he truly entered the mall, where signs are clearly posted against carrying, with a loaded and functional weapon, then yes he should have been charged. However, if there is truth to the fact that he went to a photo shoot at a studio outside of the mall and had it cleared with the photography company, that he took the firing pin from his rifle, which was unloaded with empty magazines in his kit, then it sounds to me that people were the ones who overreacted and he should not be charhed. The media has blame in this for conflating that mass violence is somehow on the rise, when in reality it is on the decline when you look at the legitamite statistics from the FBI.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2015 1:38 PM

2015-07-05T13:38:02-04:00

Many of the responses seem to focus too much on if he could and not enough on if he should. The world being the way it is, if you take a weapon where a weapon is not normally seen, a busy shopping mall, for example, your common sense should be called into question. Just my two cents.

Response by SPC Leisel Luman made Jul 5 at 2015 1:43 PM

2015-07-05T13:43:11-04:00

Next time just use your cell phone for selfies. They look better than mugshots and cost less money too.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2015 1:55 PM

2015-07-05T13:55:04-04:00

Terrorism may seem exaggerated in this case. He might just be one that wanted to stretch the boundaries of the law on gun control! Who knows?

Response by SPC Steven Ling made Jul 5 at 2015 4:50 PM

2015-07-05T16:50:18-04:00

I disagree with the so-called "open-carry" movement completely. Having said that, I believe that North Carolina law allows it. Unless the mall has a prohibition on the carrying of firearms, I'm not sure that these charges will stick.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Jul 6 at 2015 12:58 AM

2015-07-06T00:58:12-04:00

Photo shoot huh? Oops, thought I had my camera.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 1:41 AM

2015-07-06T01:41:43-04:00

Well he had is picture taken all right, but not the one he wanted!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 9:47 AM

2015-07-06T09:47:05-04:00

Let's just say that Joe wants to have "cool guy" pictures done. He grabs all of his Tactical Taylor and Blackhawk gear he got at the the store because military issue stuff isn't cool enough. Without making cracks about wanna-be operators, common sense and just plain comfort would suggest that you'd throw all of that kit in a duffel bag rather than put it all on. He wouldn't have driven to the mall wearing all of that stuff unless he was a complete tool.
I am having a hard time conceiving how I would handle this one if it were my Soldier. Something original, I think.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jul 6 at 2015 10:35 AM

2015-07-06T10:35:36-04:00

Stupid is as stupid does.

I think he needed a similar briefing to what young soldiers are told when visiting professional ladies on Victory Lane in Columbus. Keep it covered at all times. Excellent advice for your weapon or gun in inappropriate places.

No reason at all for live rounds.

Response by SSG Peter Navarro made Jul 6 at 2015 2:58 PM

2015-07-06T14:58:55-04:00

first and foremost, there is no such thing as an assault rifle. that is a term coined by liberals to make guns seem scarier. Secondly, what an a$$hat.

Response by SFC Jeremy Stocker made Jul 6 at 2015 3:24 PM

2015-07-06T15:24:45-04:00

One of the things I would tell my Soldier during their pre weekend safety brief is "Don't do any thing dumb that will have us Standing on the carpet Monday. If you think it might be a dumb idea there is a good chance of it being dumb. If you not sure call me and I will let you know."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 8:13 PM

2015-07-06T20:13:21-04:00

Having been at Bragg for 9 of my 20 years I can only imagine how this went down. Call from a PSG that probably went something like this" Hey Top turn on the news, you ain't going to believe this"

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jul 6 at 2015 11:04 PM

2015-07-06T23:04:02-04:00

Can we say just plain dumbass. He will get his day in court, and I for one am glad I am not in his chain of command right now. With today's jackasses going into places and going hell bent for shooting up people what was he thinking, clearly he wasn't.

Response by SGT Aric Lier made Jul 7 at 2015 7:17 AM

2015-07-07T07:17:11-04:00

umm with that haircut I'm betting he's not a soldier

Response by SGT Francois Lefebvre made Jul 9 at 2015 12:15 PM

2015-07-09T12:15:40-04:00

Well I don't see any Soldier of the year awards for him anytime soon.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2017 7:19 PM

2017-03-14T19:19:15-04:00

Well one thing i can say, that the type of people that making it hard for us (soldier)

Response by SPC Keary Gibbins made Apr 14 at 2018 5:25 AM

2018-04-14T05:25:41-04:00

In a day and age where every Leftist opportunist is waiting in the wings to shred the Constitution.. It makes me wonder how the Military accepts all IQ deficient, Illiterate camouflaged backwoods kids to begin with?

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 10 at 2021 11:39 AM

2021-08-10T11:39:27-04:00

He was a PATRIOT exercising his Second Amendment Right to embarrass himself