TheBlaze – by Dave UrbanskiDozens of armed protesters gathered outside a San Antonio police station Sunday to let authorities know they aren’t happy that a man was tased and arrested after openly carrying his rifle while on a walk near his home a week ago, according to KSAT-TV in San Antonio.
Open Carry Texas also was protesting a city ordinance that outlaws carrying loaded weapons within city limits because, members said, state law prohibits municipalities from adopting any such ordinance.
Image source: KSAT-TV
The incident in question was videotaped by the gun owner, Henry Vichique, 19, and began as a calm chat and then ended with cops tasing the Vichique before placing him in handcuffs.
Vichique attended the rally, telling KSAT that he was within his rights at the time of his arrest and is now calling for an investigation.
Image source: KSAT-TV
TheBlaze reported on Vichique’s run-in with the police last week.
“We are going to take that gun off your shoulder, do you understand that?” one officer is heard asking Vichique on his March 31 video. “Do you understand that?”
Another officer then asks Vichique if he is going to “fight” if they grab his gun, to which he replies, “I’m not going to grab it, sir. I have not been arrested and the law says unless I’ve been arrested, you can’t take it from me.”
Though he had already confirmed several times that his rifle was loaded, the officers asked him again.
“It’s chambered,” Vichique replies, claiming again that he’s not breaking any laws.
Then, suddenly, an officer pulls out his taser and uses it on Vichique, who mumbles that he’s being unlawfully arrested and that he doesn’t consent to any searches or seizures.
Watch the full exchange of the police incident below: