Strolling To Display Weaponry -- is this an isolated incident or a trend? [View all]

[grasswire]

Portland Oregon 1/10/13

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/01/second_amendment_supported

Police say two men who were openly carrying assault rifles in Southeast Portland’s Sellwood neighborhood Wednesday were trying to demonstrate their Second Amendment rights and “educate the public”. And while their actions were legal, a Portland Police Bureau spokesman said such a demonstration can divert officers away from possibly more urgent emergency calls.

It can also frighten people.

Steven M. Boyce, of Gresham, and Warren R. Drouin, of Medford, both 22, were spotted by officers about 1:50 p.m. near Southeast Seventh Avenue and Spokane Street. But both have concealed handgun licenses, said Sgt. Pete Simpson, a Portland Police Bureau spokesman. They were not arrested because the rifles remained slung over their shoulders, he added.

Officers warned the duo that the sight of their rifles would generate 9-1-1 calls, but neither man seemed concerned, Simpson said. No shots were fired. The two were also spotted in Gresham near Northeast Fourth Street and Hood Avenue on Wednesday and were allow to go without incident, Gresham police said. Drouin has a YouTube channel where he documents encounters with police while walking with his rifle. He has videos from Eugene, Medford, Bend, Klamath Falls and other cities.

ORS 166.173 gives Oregon cities the authority to regulate possession of loaded firearms in public places. Portland is one of several cities that have imposed such a ban. However, people who have concealed handgun licenses are exempt from that regulation under the same law.