Davi Rodrigues comment-57125 2011-09-13T04:38:10Z 2011-09-13T04:38:10Z I don't think it was merely luck that prevented my getting shot by law enforcement. they are trained, and also at risk for losing thier job or freedom if they use their weapons without good cause. Mere possession of a weapon, especially so one that is not in a position to be fired, is not grounds for lethal force. To my knowledge, no one else has walked to that range. I did ask when the subject came up. They did say that one person came on a bicycle once, and that may have been me also, but maybe not. I have a scabbard for my bike which I've carried the rifle in a few times. I'm hoping that others will join me on the next hike, and maybe then it will become less unusual over some time. I think many people are not comfortable with the general public seeing them with firearms, or they like to keep their ownership and use somewhat private. Everyone has their reasons for it, and they range from privacy to protection, to fear, and then some. By the way; This hike occurred prior to the IHOP incident, but if we let events like that dominate the associations made in respect to guns, all gun owners assuredly will be presumed suspects before long. Davi Rodrigues 2011-09-13T04:38:10Z RPH comment-57121 2011-09-13T03:22:37Z 2011-09-13T03:22:37Z In light of the recent incident in Carson City with the IHOP shooting, you were lucky they didn't just shoot first. If it had been in an area patrolled by Twin Rivers PD, they would have. While the open carry of a rifle maybe legal it is not normal behavior therefore suspicious. Did you see anyone else carrying a rifle on the street? How many of the other shooters at the range walked there with their rifle on their shoulder? When I'm not on the firing line ready to shoot or in the woods hunting my rifles are in a case, protects the rifles and the owner. RPH 2011-09-13T03:22:37Z Davi Rodrigues comment-57078 2011-09-12T19:47:41Z 2011-09-12T19:47:41Z This did not occur on september 11th, but was published on that day Davi Rodrigues 2011-09-12T19:47:41Z David H. Lukenbill comment-57075 2011-09-12T19:13:40Z 2011-09-12T19:13:40Z Great article Davi! David H. Lukenbill 2011-09-12T19:13:40Z Mark Urquhart comment-57074 2011-09-12T19:11:57Z 2011-09-12T19:11:57Z So your personal tribute to 9/11 was to walk 10 miles round Sacramento carrying an uncovered rifle. Did ya not thank that was maybe a stoopid thing to do? You are very lucky you weren't shot by some nervous cop who'd been told to look out for unusual activity by DHS. Apart from the waste of manpower and people's time this was an unusually foolish stunt, legal or not. Mark Urquhart 2011-09-12T19:11:57Z Davi Rodrigues comment-57068 2011-09-12T16:49:36Z 2011-09-12T16:49:36Z I don't think the range has any litmus test for sanity with respect to their customers. Davi Rodrigues 2011-09-12T16:49:36Z cogmeyer comment-57066 2011-09-12T16:02:05Z 2011-09-12T16:02:05Z Your experience is about exactly what one should expect. You got to exercise your 2nd ammendment rights. The police did their due diligence to check you out (with perhaps a bit too much firepower involved... but a guy with rifle call can really cheer up an otherwise boring patrol day you know). And the shooting range double checked to make sure you werent nuts before letting you on the shooting range. cogmeyer 2011-09-12T16:02:05Z Steve Vicente comment-57058 2011-09-12T07:26:16Z 2011-09-12T07:26:16Z This is a great story. Even if it wasn't your goal to "test the cops"... I think that was the most important part of your adventure. Steve Vicente 2011-09-12T07:26:16Z Davi Rodrigues comment-57051 2011-09-12T03:24:41Z 2011-09-12T03:24:41Z The rifle was not in a case or bag. Part of the exercise was to ready myself for the tour in the outback, and getting used to carrying it in the manner one would when hunting. From that, I learned I needed to adjust straps, add some cushion in one area, and to change from the right to the left side prior to it starting to get sore. It's times like this that are best to discover worn straps and fasteners, 'cause out in the sticks it's hard to repair. I wasn't surprised about being stopped, but I was taken aback at the response. I think being treated like a serious imminent threat when there was no aggressive behavior reported or encountered, was a bit much. Likewise, handcuffing was also unwarranted. I also understand the concern others have/had. Unfortunately their exposure to guns is primarily negative, mainly because the media seldom reports on gun owners who are NOT involved in crime/gangs/shootings/mishaps. I'm hoping my community will become less inclined to see every gun in public as an imminent threat or crime in progress after many more hikes occur. Davi Rodrigues 2011-09-12T03:24:41Z Lisa Ouellette comment-57050 2011-09-12T02:56:12Z 2011-09-12T02:56:12Z You didn't say if your rifle was in a bag, or other case. If it was out in the open, I have to ask you if you really were surprised at being stopped and then followed? If I saw a man walking down the street with a rifle slung over his shoulder (or otherwise exposed), I'd likely alert the authorities, too. I'm not saying you have no right to a rifle. that's your right. However you really can't be surprised when the rest of us get nervous. Lisa Ouellette 2011-09-12T02:56:12Z