Gun-enthusiasts show support in Birmingham, Mich. (©David Guralnick / The Detroit News / http://bit.ly/KzWB1W )

Advocates flaunt their guns to support rifle-totin' teen

6/13/2012

On April 13, a high school student named Sean M. Combs walked through downtown Birmingham, Michigan, with an M-1 rifle strapped to his back — apparently just because he thought he could legally. He was arrested, though, and charged with brandishing a weapon, obstructing police, and disturbing the peace — accusations that have local gun advocates, uh, up in arms. On Monday, they marched, carrying guns, into the city's commission chambers to protest the charges against the 18-year-old, arguing that Combs has legal right, under "open carry" laws, to carry a firearm in public. Police Chief Don Studt conceded that Combs was exercising his constitutional right, but said he was also "creating a disturbance."

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Legal or not, do you think it's proper to carry a rifle on your back in public?