A grilling at the range sunday...

[daskraut]

I was at angeles sunday with my AK, calico M100, SKS and M1 garand. I'm just getting stuff spread out and set up, I notice behind me a very clean-cut law enforcment type guy just staring at my AK and calico. I turn around and smile and say "can I answer any questions for you?" (part time salesman), he growls "what are those guns doing in california?". I said "they are going to get shot legally at the range today". He sees my AK has an car15 stock and my calico has a folder and says "you can't have those stocks in california", to which I replied "I bought them new in 88, and as far as the AK goes, the registration is in the pistol grip and I can run any kind of stock I want because you can not turn an assault weapon into an assault weapon!". To this he turned and stormed off!.I looked at my shooting bud and just shook my head. Do you guys deal with this crap often?

[glen avon]

you were much nicer than I would have been.

[Pthfndr]

Do you guys deal with this crap often?

You know, there are a lot of people out there who are not aware that some types of firearms are legal to own and shoot in CA. Either because they've been owned and registered from years ago, or because they're OLLs. They have no real idea what the laws are regarding firearms in general, much less AWs.

When someone asks if it's legal I find it best to very politely inform them as to why they are legal. Give them the Calguns website address. Offer to let them put a few rounds down range.

I'm at a range once or twice a week, every week. I've had several people inquire, but NEVER had anyone be hostile or confrontive about it.

I get more looks and questions about my SVT 40, Hakim and Ljungman than I do about my ARs.

[6172crew]

I think I would have told him he doesnt know what he is talking about and if he wanted to push the issue he could call the cops or mind his own bees wax.

[69Mach1]

We should all learn some of the regulatory sections of the penal code to cite, just for people like this. If someone already has to ask why you have the type of firearm or accessory you have, then they probably don't know the laws pertaining to them.

For example, I would have said:
"Article 3, section 978.30 of the penal code allows me to have/own this particular rifle" (Assault weapons registration).

"This rifle here, transferred though a licensed FFL, is not banned by penal code 12276 (Listed AW), and without the pistol grip, it does not violate SB23 (AW features) of the category 3 section of the Dept. of Justice AW guide".

or

"With the 10 round magazine pinned in place, this firearm does not meet the
SB23 charactaristics of Category 3 of the Dept. of Justice AW guide"


At that point, most people should have nothing else to say. You could also add "Are you interested in buying one also?"

[Rascal]

Yes you can rub it in their faces, but I'm with Pthfndr, you catch more bees with honey than viniger.
We don't want enemies, we want allies. Being kind and explaining why you can shoot your AW's and maybe even letting them shoot a few rounds could convert some people, or at least they would look at things in a different light.
All this helps to educate those who are ignorant, and if enough get educated maybe there would be less anti-gun people around.
Food for thought.

[glen avon]

We should all learn some of the regulatory sections of the penal code to cite, just for people like this....

IME they will not believe you. they will think you are making it up, as nobody otherwise memorizes that stuff.

[glen avon]

Yes you can rub it in their faces, but I'm with Pthfndr, you catch more bees with honey than viniger....

that's absolutely correct, and the right thing to do. I just don't think I would have been able to resist being an a-hole.

[glen avon]

I think I would have told him he doesnt know what he is talking about and if he wanted to push the issue he could call the cops or mind his own bees wax.

I'm thinking I would have said something like that. I.e., "Did I say something?"

Mr. Buzzcut: "No."

Me: "Then what are you staring at? That's rude."

Mr. Buzzcut: "Your illegal assault weapons."

Me: "Well then I guess you had better call the po-lice." and then I would have dialed 911 to report an assault.

Mr. Buzzcut: "I AM the police."

Me: "You mean like transit police or mall police?"

Mr. Buzzcut: "No, I mean REAL POLICE (flashing badge from unfortunate city)."

Me: "You mean like a cadet or an explorer? 'Cuz a real cop would know these are legal. Leave me alone or I'LL call the po-lice."

not smart, but it woulda seemed like a good idea at the time....

[JS-M1A]

Did he look like this ?

[69Mach1]

IME they will not believe you. they will think you are making it up, as nobody otherwise memorizes that stuff.

That's when the printouts from the DOJ website come out.

[69Mach1]

I'm thinking I would have said something like that. I.e., "Did I say something?"

Mr. Buzzcut: "No."

Me: "Then what are you staring at? That's rude."

Mr. Buzzcut: "Your illegal assault weapons."

Me: "Well then I guess you had better call the po-lice." and then I would have dialed 911 to report an assault.

Mr. Buzzcut: "I AM the police."

Me: "You mean like transit police or mall police?"

Mr. Buzzcut: "No, I mean REAL POLICE (flashing badge from unfortunate city)."

Me: "You mean like a cadet or an explorer? 'Cuz a real cop would know these are legal. Leave me alone or I'LL call the po-lice."

not smart, but it woulda seemed like a good idea at the time....

LOL. That's hilarious. I like your sarcasm.

[Liberty Rules]

I, too, would find it difficult not to return A-hole behavior with heavy sarcasm and a flippant attitude. Particularly since I frequent Angeles, I would have felt like someone was pissing in my backyard. Being at the range with a lot of witnesses is a much safer place to assert your rights than in a traffic stop where Officer A-hole can lie up a storm. Heck, I would have chimed in to support the guy at the next table even if I was just a witness.

Why must they give badges to buffoons? Is the labor market that tight?

Not only was the guy wrong, but he was a complete jerk so I suspect no amount of information and reasoning would have helped. While we need to educate and you do generally catch more flies with honey than vinegar, it's also possible to be VERY sick and tired of rude and aggressive behavior from LEOs, to the point that you feel the need not to give in to it. If we all cower like sheep, won't it just encourage more bad behavior and a feeling of entitlement to do it?

[Ford8N]

I was at angeles sunday with my AK, calico M100, SKS and M1 garand. I'm just getting stuff spread out and set up, I notice behind me a very clean-cut law enforcment type guy just staring at my AK and calico. I turn around and smile and say "can I answer any questions for you?" (part time salesman), he growls "what are those guns doing in california?". I said "they are going to get shot legally at the range today". He sees my AK has an car15 stock and my calico has a folder and says "you can't have those stocks in california", to which I replied "I bought them new in 88, and as far as the AK goes, the registration is in the pistol grip and I can run any kind of stock I want because you can not turn an assault weapon into an assault weapon!". To this he turned and stormed off!.I looked at my shooting bud and just shook my head. Do you guys deal with this crap often?

#1 reason I avoid going to the range.
#2 no rapid fire.

[slowjonn]

Um....Where did it say that the guy was for sure a LEO? Just said that the guy looked like one....so does my insurance agent. Why are you guys always crappin all over the cops? I understand that there are some out there that are not up to speed on this stuff and some are just jerks, but really....Perhaps you would be more wise to educate people, including the cops.