WWMD: MIB carrying weapons?

[AntiSoCalSkier]

First, some background. I live in an "interesting" part of LA. If you're familiar with LA, I'm a few blocks west of Chinatown, and a few blocks south of Dodger stadium. It's kind of a run-down neighborhood, with lots of old, poorly maintained apartment buildings and the occasional vacant lot. I'm right on the border between a bunch of older Chinese people, and a bunch of working class Latinos. I've never really felt that it was a dangerous place to live, but there are plenty of car break-ins and other small crimes. I've never heard gunshots, nor is this the sort of place where police sirens are constantly heard.

As I pulled out of my apartment's garage this morning, I noticed two guys standing on the sidewalk next to a nice Audi. One of the guys was wearing a black polo shirt with some sort of writing on it and holding a fairly large gun. I'm not very familiar with guns, but it looked like some sort of semi-automatic assault rifle (definitely not a handgun, nor a hunting rifle). At first, this didn't really sink in, and for some reason I subconsiously felt that it was a normal occurance (could this be related to all those trips through airport security under the National Gaurd's supervision?). Once I realized what was going on, I looked closer. This guy was very relaxed standing there with a gun, and wasn't bothering anyone (yet?). He didn't appear to be in any sort of official uniform, and since he was driving an Audi, it was unlikely that he was a representative of the government. I didn't get a close enough look to verify that it was in fact a real gun instead of some sort of toy, or maybe a paintball gun.

I probably should have called the police, but no one else seemed bothered by his presence (there were plenty of people driving by, and a few pedestrians). Thinking back on it this afternoon, I almost wonder if I just imagined the whole thing, it almost feels like a dream. Would you guys have called the cops? Asked the guy what he was doing? Ignored the whole thing?

[Dexter Rutecki]

Don't think I would've stopped to ask questions of the guy, that seems less than smart, but it might've made sense to let someone (po-po) know about it.

[tuffy109]

was the MLK parade that ended in a gang fight with the police near your place as well?

LA is the wackiest place i've ever lived.

[lemon boy]

why would you have a problem with a guy holding a gun? Was he threatening you or anyone with it? Was it pointed in a safe direction?

:shrug: :shrug:

It's just a gun.... hell, I'd probably feel much better standing in LA with a riot gun too.

[phUnk]

Originally posted by lemon boy
why would you have a problem with a guy holding a gun? Was he threatening you or anyone with it? Was it pointed in a safe direction?

:shrug: :shrug:

It's just a gun.... hell, I'd probably feel much better standing in LA with a riot gun too.

Gun-Nuts Ahoy!

[lemon boy]

eh, I see em all the time ----> as cartman says: What's the big fuckin deal bitch?

Should I feel funny carrying my gun out to the truck when I'm goin somewhere? How about if I go buy one?

---------------------------------
A couple of months ago as I was leaving work downtown a cop came flying down the sidewalk lights/siren on and came kind of close to hitting this guy, I was getting ready to be all pissed off when he jumped from his vehicle, ran to the trunk grabbed his AR and ran into a building. I figgered I'd cut him some slack since he seemed to be in an actual hurry.

[dipstik]

Tough call, I'm not sure what I would have done. I mean, when I walk into the bathroom at school at some kids are smoking pot or whatever I don't run off and tell a teacher, I don't even think twice about it, but if they had a gun and were fucking around with it I would probably say something. There's nothin you can do now, but if you see it again in the future you might want to consider saying something (to the cops, not the guy) You did say "semi-automatic assault rifle" those aren't for fucking around.

[lemon boy]

Originally posted by dipstik
"semi-automatic assault rifle" those aren't for fucking around.

uhhhh that's exactly what they're for. Fun as all get out


BTW- I think context is the most important thing here, if he was agitated or meanacing people with it that's one thing but otherwise, lots of people have guns.

[phUnk]

Originally posted by lemon boy
Should I feel funny carrying my gun out to the truck when I'm goin somewhere? How about if I go buy one?

That is the exact same situation as ASCS described.

Oh, wait. It's not.

[dipstik]

Originally posted by lemon boy
uhhhh that's exactly what they're for. Fun as all get out


BTW- I think context is the most important thing here, if he was agitated or meanacing people with it that's one thing but otherwise, lots of people have guns.

good call.

[tuffy109]

wow, props in phunk's sig. does it get any better? i mean, pinner used a quote of mine, but phunk, well....

[tuffy109]

Originally posted by lemon boy


BTW- I think context is the most important thing here.

sorry, but in what context is a semi acceptable?

[Viva]

Doood! You live sooooooo close to Tommy Burger!! Who gives a fuck about guns? I've had one aimed at me point-blank in Venice...BFD! Go get a double chili burger with a side of fries and everything will be alright.

http://www.originaltommys.com/images/menu.gif

[lemon boy]

Well, going out and blasting up some paper or pop cans sounds like a pretty acceptable use for a semi to me.

What makes one unacceptable (btw- just for clarification I do support some type based firearms limitations but I think we're pretty much already there).

I tell you this right now, any day of the week I'd rather get in a gun battle with my 5 shot pump shotgun than any "assault rifle" out there. :shrug: Besides, an assault rifle just looks ugly, it isn't inheirently more dangerous than any number of semi-auto hunting guns. Hell, I'd be more wary of a guy holding a nice scoped bolt action than some junker AK.

We don't for sure even know what kind of gun it was.

[Woodsy]

dude was private security
some in your neighbohood is important, or thinks he is.
deal with it.
gang bangers wavin Ak's is a worry, this dude sounds professional.

see what the laws are in your area, but i bet he had a permit

[mr_gyptian]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tuffy109
[B]was the MLK parade that ended in a gang fight with the police near your place as well?


That really puts a hop in my step.

[Snow Dog]

You should take pictures and post them. That would help me form an opinion.

[AntiSoCalSkier]

Lemonboy's comments eplain part of the reason I was hesitant to call the police. If this was some guy taking his gun to the range for some target practice, I saw no reason he should have to deal with the police. There were plenty of people around and he wasn't bothering any of them.

edit - Since I'm heading home in a few minutes, I guess I'll find out if he was some psycho who shot up the place.

[Sublime]

At first I thought maybe a Tec-9 or maybe a Mac 10. Both serious business. Not like he had a little snub nose glock.

Sounds like a drug deal. Do you see that car normally?

Personally I would go for the .45 auto. LB has a point 12 gauge ain't nothing to mess with.
Did it look like this:

http://www.impactsites2000.com/site3...2/tec9gray.jpg

or

http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/...m%20MAC-10.jpg

[Crinkle]

One of the guys was wearing a black polo shirt with some sort of writing on it and holding a fairly large gun. I'm not very familiar with guns, but it looked like some sort of semi-automatic assault rifle (definitely not a handgun, nor a hunting rifle).

was it punani?? if so I hope you arent the hostage

[nachos supreme]

Originally posted by Snow Dog
You should take pictures and post them. That would help me form an opinion.

That's a top idea,
lets take a few happy snaps of a man standing around with an assault rifle

[phUnk]

Originally posted by nachos supreme
That's a top idea,
lets take a few happy snaps of a man standing around with an assault rifle

Don't be a pussy. Just run right up to him excitedly, and ask him.

[Dexter Rutecki]

Jeez, LB, you can't be serious.
I see anyone with any sort of gun, or machete, or rocket launcher in my neighborhood you can damn well bet the police will know about it--I'm pretty sure anyone else around here who saw something similar would do the same.
Now carrying some hunting gun out to the car is a different story if you live way out yonder, but in LA or another city this is not acceptable. If it's being taken to the range then it should be in a case and not being waved around.
And I doubt the guy had a permit if it's what you described, unless L.A. has weird gun laws.

[Blurred Elevens]

Originally posted by Dexter Rutecki
Jeez, LB, you can't be serious.
I see anyone with any sort of gun, or machete, or rocket launcher in my neighborhood, I'm betting it's that Blurred Elevens psycho gunnin' for my ass

Damn straight bitch. Watch yo back foo.

[Mustonen]

Originally posted by lemon boy
I tell you this right now, any day of the week I'd rather get in a gun battle with my 5 shot pump shotgun than any "assault rifle" out there. :shrug: Besides, an assault rifle just looks ugly, it isn't inheirently more dangerous than any number of semi-auto hunting guns. Hell, I'd be more wary of a guy holding a nice scoped bolt action than some junker AK.

uh.

i'll tell you this right now.

any day of the week i really dont plan on getting into any gun battles.

dude, you've THOUGHT about this? "shit, if i got into one a them gunfights, i just wanna have trusty ol francis w/ me. me and him'll tear shit up, yessir." *lovingly stroking his shotgun.