Monday, July 30, 2012
Sean Combs, 18, and several other open carry advocates met Monday evening at Shain Park in Birmingham.
Less than three weeks after a jury found 18-year-old Troy resident Sean Combs not guilty of disturbing the peace and brandishing a firearm, Combs picked up his M1 Garand rifle – which had been used as evidence during his trial – from Birmingham Police on Monday. Then, he and a few other open carry advocates took to the streets of Birmingham once again Monday evening, openly carrying rifles and handguns at Shain Park. The group, organized through opencarry.org, all share one interest: raising awareness of the right to openly carry firearms – and not get in trouble for it. "I'm not here to make anyone feel uncomfortable or scare someone or make them feel like they're not safe because I have a gun," Combs said. "I actually want the opposite; …
Friday, July 20, 2012
A deadly shooting early Friday during a showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" at a Colorado movie theater has reignited debate about whether stricter gun laws can prevent such tragedies.
A deadly shooting early Friday during a showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" at a movie theater in Colorado has spurred debate about whether stricter gun laws could have prevented the tragedy. Some gun rights advocates argue that, had a member of the audience been carrying a firearm, they could have used it to stop the shooter. Advocates of more stringent gun rules, however, say more weapons lead to more chaos and ensuring public safety should be left to law enforcement. Most Michigan adults are legally permitted to openly carry registered pistols without a permit and concealed pistols with a permit under Michigan law. Individuals may also openly carry long guns in Michigan. Municipalities aren't allowed to regulate the possession of …
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Sean Combs, 18, is charged with disturbing the peace and brandishing a firearm after he was stopped by Birmingham Police while openly carrying his loaded rifle downtown.
- POLICE & FIRE
- Jen Anesi
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Wednesday, July 11, 2012
After two hours of deliberation Wednesday afternoon, the seven-member jury was unable to reach a verdict on the charges facing Sean Combs, the Troy 18-year-old charged with disturbing the peace and brandishing a firearm after an April 13 incident in downtown Birmingham. The jury is set to return to Judge Marc Barron's courtroom at the 48th District Court Thursday morning to continue deliberating. The jury, however, did reach a verdict on the charge of brandishing a firearm, though Barron said the verdict won't be revealed until the jury reaches a decision on all charges. A third charge of obstructing an officer, meanwhile, was dismissed by Barron Wednesday due to lack of evidence. Combs was arrested the night of April 13 in downtown …
Sean Combs, who was arrested April 13 in downtown Birmingham after he was found carrying a rifle, will come before Judge Marc Barron Wednesday morning.
The trial for Sean Combs, the 18-year-old from Troy found carrying a rifle through downtown Birmingham, begins today. Combs' trial begins at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in front of Judge Marc Barron at 48th District Court. Combs is charged with brandishing a firearm, disturbing the peace and obstructing an officer after an April 13 incident at the corner of Merrill and South Old Woodward. Combs was arrested around 10 p.m. after refusing to show police officers identification after they asked about the WWII-era M1 Garand .30-caliber rifle strapped to his back, police reports state. Under Michigan law, as an adult, Combs was legally allowed to carry the weapon and not required to show identification. However, police stated they requested an …
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Nearly a dozen open carry advocates met at Shain Park in Birmingham again Friday to support 18-year-old Sean Combs, who was arrested in Birmingham in April for carrying a loaded M1 Garand rifle.
- POLICE & FIRE
- Jen Anesi
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Saturday, July 7, 2012
Despite the triple-digit heat, a small group of open carry advocates gathered Friday evening at Birmingham's Shain Park to support Sean Combs, the 18-year-old Troy resident who was arrested in April after he was found carrying a loaded rifle through downtown Birmingham. A similar group of open carry advocates also met at Shain Park on June 11 to support Combs, later attending the Monday night meeting of the Birmingham City Commission. Combs, who is heading to trial Monday following an evidentiary hearing on June 20 at the 48th District Court, was present at Friday's gathering along with his mother, brothers and several other open carry advocates. "I really appreciate it," Combs said. "It shows people support me." Combs is charged with …
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Briefs debate definition of 'brandishing' leading up to Wednesday's evidentiary hearing for 18-year-old Sean Combs of Troy, who was arrested with a rifle in Birmingham in April.
Sean Combs, the Troy 18-year-old who was arrested in April after he was found carrying a loaded rifle in downtown Birmingham, will be back in court Wednesday for a hearing to determine whether charges of brandishing a firearm, disturbing the peace and obstructing an officer will move forward or be dismissed. Combs was arrested around 10 p.m. April 13 after he refused to show police officers his identification after they asked about the M1 Garande rifle strapped to his back, according to police reports. The rifle was loaded with one round in the chamber, police say. As an adult under Michigan law, Combs had a legal right to openly carry the rifle and Birmingham police violated his second amendment rights, Combs' lawyer Jim Makowski says. …
Monday, June 11, 2012
A dozen open carry advocates assemble at Shain Park on Monday to support 18-year-old Sean Combs, who was arrested in Birmingham in April for carrying a loaded M1 Garand rifle.
From a distance, the small group of men gathering, talking and grilling under an awning at Shain Park in downtown Birmingham seems innocuous. Upon closer inspection, however, it soon becomes clear they're all openly carrying a fully-loaded firearm. Or two. Or, in some cases, three. "I wanted to come out and show my support," paramedic and Clio resident Ken Herman said, his Glock 17 pistol fastened to his right hip. "(Openly carrying) is perfectly legal and acceptable and makes society a safer, more polite place." Herman was one of about a dozen open carry advocates who were at the park by late Monday afternoon to support 18-year-old Troy resident Sean Combs, who was arrested in April after he was found openly carrying his loaded M1 Garand …
42.545199
-83.216029
Shain Park
200 W Merrill St, Birmingham, MI
/articles/open-carry-advocates-gather-in-birmingham-park-to-support-troy-teen
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/locations/7191748
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Group organizes an informal demonstration against Sean Combs' April 13 arrest and plans to speak out at the June 11 City Commission meeting.
A group of open carry advocates plan to make their sentiments known about the recent arrest of a rifle-toting 18-year-old Troy student during a protest at the June 11 Birmingham City Commission meeting. Sean Combs was arrested by Birmingham police on April 13 after he was discovered carry a M1 Garande rifle on South Old Woodward Avenue. The rifle — a birthday gift, Combs said — was loaded with one round in the chamber. Though 18 and legally able to carry the rifle, police say Combs refused to show identification when asked and was arrested for brandishing a firearm, disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer. At the time, police say Combs looked "young" and they weren't sure he was old enough to carry the weapon. However, advocates of …
42.545944
-83.215532
Birmingham City Hall
151 Martin St, Birmingham, MI
/articles/open-carry-advocates-to-protest-rifle-carrying-troy-teen-s-arrest-in-birmingham
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/locations/7088853
42.545199
-83.216029
Shain Park
200 W Merrill St, Birmingham, MI
/articles/open-carry-advocates-to-protest-rifle-carrying-troy-teen-s-arrest-in-birmingham
1509222
/locations/7088854
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Arraignment waived for the 18-year-old who was arrested in downtown Birmingham April 13 after he was caught carrying a loaded rifle.
- POLICE & FIRE
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Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The case against Troy 18-year-old Sean Michael Combs, the teen who was stopped by police as he carried a loaded rifle in downtown Birmingham last month, moves forward with a pre-trial hearing set for May 15 in 48th District Court. A plea of not guilty was entered for Combs on charges of brandishing a firearm, disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer after Birmingham Police discovered him carrying the rifle near South Old Woodward and Merrill around 10:30 p.m. April 13. On the night of the arrest, officers asked for Combs' identification to determine whether he was 18 and therefore old enough to carry the rifle. However, according to police reports, Combs, a Troy High School student who was with a group of friends at the time — refused…
42.54572
-83.21334
S Old Woodward Ave & E Merrill St, Birmingham, MI
/articles/rifle-carrying-troy-teen-pleads-not-guilty-pre-trial-set-for-may-15
/locations/6915300
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Troy High senior Sean Michael Combs, 18, was arrested Friday in downtown Birmingham after he was found carrying a loaded M1 Garand rifle.
Here's what people are saying about Sean Michael Combs, the 18-year-old Troy High School senior who was arrested Friday for walking through downtown Birmingham with a loaded M1 Garand rifle. A witness to the incident says Combs has done nothing wrong and "was in his legal right" to carry the weapon as he walked. Combs is scheduled to be arraigned May 2 on charges of disturbing the peace, brandishing a weapon and obstructing an investigation. Do you have anything to add? Tell us in comments, and we'll add to the Storify.
DanM
1:49 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
MCL 123.1102 prevents local units of government from unilaterally banning firearms, but it does not prevent the private citizens who work in those governments from asking the state legislature to change state law to do so. They have as much of a free speech right to ask for that as we who support individual rights have to oppose, and ultimately defeat, them. more ›