[DavidE]

It is a subject that is coming up in a lot of comment boards following the Berkeley riots. (Wow, 2017, not 1968...)

With concerns that Law Enforcement response to one of these "happenings" might be delayed, due to the scale of these things, or not forthcoming due to political considerations*, it puts those caught in the middle of them in a pretty tough spot.

In all seriousness, if this stuff encounters CCW, it could be a big furball. The considerations seem to start with the old mantra, if you think there is going to be a problem if you are in a certain area, don't be in that area.

*Would the University Officials, Mayor, Governor etc. in an area want to seem "insensitive" by ordering a response? Apparently the charges that such folks got in D.C. after pulling antics at the inauguration surprised them, as they are used to being able to act with impunity.)

VIDEO=> VIOLENT LEFTISTS Chase and Beat Man Unconscious at Berkeley Riots

https://news.grabien.com/story-masked-protesters-starting-fires-tearing-down-fences-outside-1

* Group of inauguration protesters face felony rioting charges; possibility of 10 years in prison | FOX6Now.com

 

[GunGeek]

When carrying, I will go WELL out of my way to avoid any place where emotions may be running high. I could see me going to a peaceful political demonstration, but as soon as it started getting ugly, I'd be moving out of, and away from the scene. If my life or someone elses in my immediate proximity were in imminent grave danger, my handgun may come out. But I would be seeking to hasten my departure, safely.

 

[phantom4570]

Looking at the pictures and captions at the link below I am of the opinion that the rioters were a rent a mob imported to riot under the cover of student protests.
Milo Yiannopoulis shrugs off violent protests at Berkley | Daily Mail Online

 

[csmkersh]

Rightly or wrongly, George Soros has been tied to many riots here in the U.S.

 

[Diamondback]

Re CCW and fights/riots/etc...

The First Rule isn't "Have A Gun," but rather "If possible, Be Somewhere Else." Rule Two is "Have A Gun, just in case trouble insists on bringing the party to you."

 

[csmkersh]

I disagree, Diamondback.

My first rule is have a gun. Rule two is make in a caliber that starts with a 4.

You never now when something is going to go badly but you can always prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.

 

[Diamondback]

Those two are both biggies, Top... my main point was there's enough UNplanned trouble out there without actively going out and looking for more to add to it.

 

[IrishCop]

In my state, it's actually against the law to "..possess a firearm at or near a demonstration." (13A-11-59, Code of Alabama)

That means licensed or not, off duty LEO or not. Kinda of a common sense thing considering how tempers can flair when there are usually two diametrically opposed forces in play.

Now if the demonstration/rally/riot comes to YOU, that's a whole 'nother ball game I would think.

 

[shep854]

Also, keep in mind that presenting a gun around these 'peaceful' protestors will likely make you the Bad Guy to the media and make your case even harder to defend, while making your life a living hell. Better to stay away.

 

[IrishCop]

Absolutely, Pete. Again, it's a matter of common sense. During the Rodney King riots, the Korean store owners who guarded their stores from the rooftops (and elsewhere I'm sure) with AR-15's were left with their stores unmolested for the most part.

Speaking as a private citizen, not a sworn LEO, if protesters with clubs or Molotov cocktails are moving towards me or mine with what appears to be malicious intent, I'll have some decisions to make real fast.

And I will.

 

[stand watie]

Irish Cop,

I wonder where my old horsewhip is - It must be around here someplace.

yours, sw

 

[William R. Moore]

Considering the old standard that every member of a mob shares the culpability, some of those folks arrested in DC may be in for interesting times. If strictly enforced, being part of a mob and/or standing around watching one might become a whole lot less popular.

I recall the practice of scooping up all those available and letting the court sort it out.

I did read that the Berkley folks are reconsidering their departmental SOP of stand back and let them protest. It seems no one in the ivory towers thought about what could happen if the peaceful protest became not peaceful destruction of property and assault on persons-and that just maybe an appropriate response should be developed.

I was once responsible for security at several sites of a community college. Students/factulty had to be treated with due consideration, the Dean typically let them off. However, non students or those who refused to present any ID fell under the jurisdiction of someone else (can't recall title) who's SOP was "put 'em in jail". Several folks with attitudes got really, really rude surprises. The highlight was the President of the Student Council getting 3-5 for a variety of things. The inter-departmental infighting over that was interesting, but he still did the time.

 

[bearcat6]

There's a reason it's called "Berzerkley."

 

[Skeptic49]

What I worry about is the current style of blocking Interstate highways at junctions. It's about the only way to get from one side of St. Johns County to the other. These riots are not announced or start with authorized demonstrations.

I am an elderly, mobility impaired white person, therefore a prime target to be dragged from my car and beaten to death.

Geoff
Who is exploring a way to secure a folding stock AK in the Subaru, within reach of the driver.

 

[stand watie]

Skeptic49,

May I presume that (like several of us EOF on the forum) that you are ARMED & therefore "a poor choice" as a target of opportunity??

yours, sw

 

[Skeptic49]

Skeptic49,
May I presume that (like several of us EOF on the forum) that you are ARMED & therefore "a poor choice" as a target of opportunity??
yours, sw

I state officially and for the record, "I have no comment on that."

Geoff
Who is moving to his SWaMPy 9c and a 17 round backup magazine...and maybe one or two in the console...:cheers:

 

[DavidE]

Addendum in Texas - A heads-up for everyone out there in the U.S.A.

http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2017-02-17/red-guards-and-the-modern-face-of-protest/

 

[Diamondback]

Thanks, DavidE--worth forwarding.

I have a weekly column at RedState every Wednesday, and while this week's another Gear Review and next scoring the "Trump Campaign Contract" (I do those the first and last weeks every month) I'll see about slipping that "Meet The Enemy" heads-up in.

 

[DavidE]

No problem. I sadly am not surprised that at least one group like this is now active out there. I am just glad that it has now been reported. Live coverage of protests in Philadelphia the other day (The "Counterprotest" to the Trump rally, where the folks in black burned smoke bombs in the street and broke up some boards at construction sites and police barriers) featured lots of Red Soviet hammer and sickle flags, seen in the TV news coverage from all the local News shows, but such flags were not featured the photos or text stories in a lot of online write ups from the same channels.

There is a major omission going on in a lot of the reporting out there. I was kind of surprised that this group was so well documented in this story.

It may be worth mentioning that this group is not just a generation or two out of the frame of reference of the earlier violent radicals of the 1960s and 1970s, but at least a generation out of reference to the USSR and Communist China, as far as Gulags, Tiananmen square, etc., and what they are taught in history classes varies. The Communist regimes they are talking about emulating did a lot of very nasty stuff, including to "revolutionaries" who helped the cause. (I wonder how many of these guys know what happened to Trotsky, or Mao's wife, for that matter.)

Thank you very much for passing this on. People really need to know that this stuff is brewing out there. Law Enforcement folks, and anyone interested in the Bill of Rights and Civil Discourse in general.

 

[Diamondback]

David, there's a very good reason for Purging the Revolutionaries upon taking power... the people who took the previous regime out for you, also have the knowledge and skills to do the same to YOURS. Eliminate them, and any resistance to the New Order has to be built from scratch, which makes future uprisings easier to smother in the womb.

Make perfect sense in a cold, sociopathically pragmatic way...