Idaho Teens carry firearms around town

buckeyeLCPL · May 21st, 2007, 02:41 AM

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,274138,00.html

Quote:

POST FALLS, Idaho — Two home-schooled teenagers in this northern Idaho town say they are carrying loaded guns to the library, grocery store and other public areas for self-defense, as a crime deterrent, and to educate others about their rights.

Zach Doty, 18, carries a loaded Glock handgun on his hip. His 15-year-old brother, Steven, carries a .22-caliber rifle in a sling on his back.

Police have been called on several occasions to question the teens but have not found the teens to be in violation of the law.

In Idaho, residents 18 and older can openly carry a firearm in public. And those ages 13 to 17 who have parental permission can carry a rifle in public.

"I certainly don't anticipate that I'll need to use it, but I'd rather have it and not need it than to not have it and need it," Zach told the Coeur d'Alene Press. "There's no reason for me to hide a weapon."

Zach was stopped April 17 on his way to Bible study. On Friday, police again responded when someone reported the brothers with guns in a park. But police left after confirming it was the Doty's.

Zach has also been approached by others.

"There have been good opportunities to speak to people," he said. "I make sure they know that open carrying is legal, why I carry and I encourage them to consider doing so themselves."

The brothers carry their weapons to parks, the library, grocery stores and other places. They can't have their guns with them on school property, courthouses or jails.

Not everyone is comfortable with armed teenagers in the neighborhood.

"I turned back so that my wife could verify what I saw," said James Rebal, who called police after seeing Zach with his gun. "He was very nicely dressed and I saw nothing to be concerned about other than the weapon. It's not something you see in Idaho. Virginia Tech was fresh in my mind, and I thought it was better to err on the side of concern."

A lone gunman killed 32 people and himself last month at Virginia Tech University.

John Dunlap, commander of the American Legion Post 143, said he asked Zach to leave the Legion at a recent lunch because Zach was carrying his gun.

"He left and came back the next day (without the gun) for soup," said Dunlap, who described the brothers as "well-mannered."

Ed Santos owns Center Target Sports in Post Falls and is a gun safety instructor. He said the Dotys came to his shop but he doesn't sell handgun ammunition to people under 21.

He said that just because the Dotys are carrying guns in public doesn't mean they're not responsible with them, but questioned the need to carry them in town even though it was legal.

"My advice for them is the same as it is with adults — yes it's your right and yes it's legal, but why draw unnecessary attention to yourself just because you can?" Santos said. "I believe the intent (of the law) was to allow it more for hunting and recreation."

Zach said he's not paranoid or a radical.

"If I was an extremist, our founding fathers would all be extremists," he said. "Without them, we wouldn't have our independence. We'd be a disarmed British system of feudal subjectivity."

I'm kind of surprised at the towns reaction, especially the American Legion and the firearm safety instructor. Maybe he should be encouraging more people to carry. He I'm not sure I'd want to take a driving class from someone who believes he can put on a seat belt when he sees a crash coming.

HotGuns · May 21st, 2007, 03:16 AM

Those boys have some grit for sure.

Kind of refreshing actually. Getting the word out does seem to be working.

Muzz · May 21st, 2007, 03:48 AM

Quote:

John Dunlap, commander of the American Legion Post 143, said he asked Zach to leave the Legion at a recent lunch because Zach was carrying his gun.

That's pathetic. Its not like he doesn't know the kid.

Quote:

"He left and came back the next day (without the gun) for soup," said Dunlap, who described the brothers as "well-mannered."

Pretty big of the kid to come back the next day - that must be some really good soup.

Good for both of them - wish there were about half a million more kids just like that in this country.

retsupt99 · May 21st, 2007, 04:39 AM

Nothing wrong with common sense...sounds like both the boys and their parents have plenty of it...

Stay armed...stay safe!

ret

PatrioticRick · May 21st, 2007, 05:50 AM

And this is why I live here, we still have rights. If the sheriff was worried about how it looked, he could give the 18 yr old a CWL.

peacefuljeffrey · May 21st, 2007, 05:57 AM

Those boys have my respect.

Quote:

"I turned back so that my wife could verify what I saw," said James Rebal, who called police after seeing Zach with his gun. "He was very nicely dressed and I saw nothing to be concerned about other than the weapon. It's not something you see in Idaho. Virginia Tech was fresh in my mind, and I thought it was better to err on the side of concern."

That jerk does not.

Um, how does, "I saw nothing to be concerne about," translate to, "I'm callin' the cops!"?

The next time I see someone in public who has HANDS, I'm gonna call the cops, because while it's legal to have hands in public, I just have no way of knowing that he won't curl them into fists and start punching people at random.

dunndw · May 21st, 2007, 10:27 AM

"If I was an extremist, our founding fathers would all be extremists," he said. "Without them, we wouldn't have our independence. We'd be a disarmed British system of feudal subjectivity."

From an 18 year old...too bad our leaders don't understand this little gem of knowledge. I think I have a new signature line

P95Carry · May 21st, 2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

"If I was an extremist, our founding fathers would all be extremists," he said. "Without them, we wouldn't have our independence. We'd be a disarmed British system of feudal subjectivity."

My quote too - Zach has a mature head on his shoulders.

ccw9mm · May 21st, 2007, 11:15 AM

Sound like the brainwashing hasn't yet reached their home. Good for them. It's sanity like that everyone could use more of.

What the police/mayor need to do is send out a public statement regarding the legality of firearms ownership and carrying, that it's perfectly legal and warranted if upstanding citizens choose to do so. Likely? No, but they'd show their honor if they did.

Steve48 · May 21st, 2007, 02:31 PM

In my youth, people carried firearms to school so we could go out and shoot/hunt and kept them in the principal's office. The cowboys off the range would always have a six gun on them. Steve48

May 21st, 2007, 03:16 AM	#2
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 5,160	Those boys have some grit for sure. Kind of refreshing actually. Getting the word out does seem to be working. __________________ AR. CHL Instr. To achieve world government, it is necessary to remove from the minds of men, their individualism, loyalty to family traditions, national patriotism, and religious dogmas.' Dr. G. Brock Chisolm

May 21st, 2007, 04:39 AM	#4
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 14,907	I Like Those Boys... Nothing wrong with common sense...sounds like both the boys and their parents have plenty of it... Stay armed...stay safe! ret __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

May 21st, 2007, 05:50 AM	#5
PatrioticRick VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rigby, Idaho Posts: 3,193	And this is why I live here, we still have rights. If the sheriff was worried about how it looked, he could give the 18 yr old a CWL. __________________ Molon labe Μολὼν λαβέ -"Come and take them!" King Leonidas I of Sparta. USN/USAF Retired/Desert Shield/Desert Storm DAV Life Member NRA Life Member

May 21st, 2007, 10:27 AM	#7
dunndw Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nashville Posts: 842	"If I was an extremist, our founding fathers would all be extremists," he said. "Without them, we wouldn't have our independence. We'd be a disarmed British system of feudal subjectivity." From an 18 year old...too bad our leaders don't understand this little gem of knowledge. I think I have a new signature line __________________ "If I was an extremist, our founding fathers would all be extremists," he said. "Without them, we wouldn't have our independence. We'd be a disarmed British system of feudal subjectivity." My Gun Truths Blog The Tennessee Firearms Association

May 21st, 2007, 11:15 AM	#9
ccw9mm VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oregon USA Posts: 6,025	Sound like the brainwashing hasn't yet reached their home. Good for them. It's sanity like that everyone could use more of. What the police/mayor need to do is send out a public statement regarding the legality of firearms ownership and carrying, that it's perfectly legal and warranted if upstanding citizens choose to do so. Likely? No, but they'd show their honor if they did. __________________ Your best weapon is your brain. Don't leave home without it. Reports: CZ P01 pt1, pt2. Thoughts: Justifiable self defense. Explain: How does disarming victims reduce the number of victims? Tip: Use the <search> feature.

May 21st, 2007, 02:31 PM	#10
Steve48 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: St. John, Kansas Posts: 775	In my youth, people carried firearms to school so we could go out and shoot/hunt and kept them in the principal's office. The cowboys off the range would always have a six gun on them. Steve48

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