VIDEO: Realistic BB rifle caused high risk traffic stop in bank...

HN NOTES: We live during a time of unrest, violence, and high anxiety. So, legal owners of any rifle or handgun, whether they be firearms or just BB guns, need to be highly sensitive and cautious not to cause alarm from onlookers who do not know your intentions. Witnesses will notify police… and police will investigate, usually taking every precaution to ensure public and officer safety. The unintentional or careless display of weapons, no matter how “legal” and seemingly innocent, will lead to others calling police… along with unwanted consequences, such as high risk traffic stops, or officers using their training to protect themselves and others.

The subjects in the following video were NOT charged with a crime, but did have to endure tense moments as police investigated.

Yesterday afternoon, police set up surveillance after they were informed someone had placed a rifle in the trunk of a car. The rifle appeared real. Officers followed the vehicle and conducted a high risk type traffic stop in a bank parking lot.

Police were considerate, yet cautious with the passengers of the vehicle. A male and female were quickly sent on their way after a brief investigation. The rifle turned out to be a realistic BB gun, which is not illegal to possess, but can cause alarm… and depending on the circumstances, can lead to charges if displayed or pointed in way which causes alarm.

Police were satisfied the owner of air rifle was not out to commit a crime or intentionally cause alarm, but they did question the man’s judgment… and he agreed that the rifle looked real. It was agreed that the Police Lieutenant would hold onto the rifle for the time being and that the owner could come to police headquarters to pick it up later.

As young “kids” forty years ago, we were able to run around with air rifles… and even openly shoot 22 rifles at a secluded sand lot at the end of Independence Drive. We were trained how to safely handle and secure rifles… and at a certain age we were trusted not to get into trouble with them. In those days, nobody became alarmed or called the police – but that was 40 years ago!

While I truly feel bad for younger generations who will never experience the trust and freedom we all once enjoyed before this current time of fear and hyper-anxiety, I would feel much worse if someone got shot for no good reason.

So please, young people, use your heads and don’t put yourselves in harm’s way!

(Side note: HN was nearby and just happened upon this call… grabbed a camera and started rolling from a cautious angle… police were quick to inform me it was just a situation involving a BB gun that appeared real. This realization quickly de-escalated the situation for everyone, myself included.)

The following video highlights yesterday’s high risk traffic stop…
[Press play]