It's obviously not enough for Mr. Combs to accept that he was acquitted of the charges, but now he has to seek monetary compensation? He did what he did "just because" he could. Well, "just because" it was legal for him to openly carry and refusal to provide ID (deeming it an "invasion of privacy") does not earn him my respect for the fact he has those legal rights. As a resident of Birmingham, and in the wake of gun issues in downtown Birmingham, I would have been extremely uncomfortable (not to mention frightened) to see anyone just walking around, toting a long gun over his shoulder, "just because" he can. I don't understand why Mr. Combs got his kicks from doing something that clearly scares people around him, "just because" - he is not a very wise young man, if he believes this was appropriate behavior that should now be rewarded or compensated with financial gain from a lawsuit to prove his position further.

Birmingham: Defend this vigorously. The kid is misguided, and he and his handlers are looking only to cash in for attention and money. They'll get the attention, unfortunately, as any whacko willing to carry a loaded rifle through town would. Don't let them get the money. Don't settle for a dime!

Oh please, B'ham snots!!! The police/government arrest the "kid" for doing something that is NOT ILLEGAL, and the cops knew it. But to 'have the people feel safe'? Everyone should carry, it would be a more polite society...especially in a place where it is needed...like downtown Birmingham! Grew up there, glad I left. Hope the kid bankrupts the city!

I totally agree with Clinton Baller. Let this case come to light--let us examine every move and every word by every participant so we townspeople can learn from it.

Years ago we taught our kids who grew up in Birmingham to obey police orders first and ask questions later. We all assumed it would not hurt to just go along with it in the rare case of a "police situation".

Then a lot of people from outside who were not raised with Birmingham manners were swept in by the real estate bubble. Yes, they are uncivilized, but many of us just ignore them. Actually, many of those who are not upside down on their mortgages have moved out because they know they will never be accepted because of their crude manners.

However, this new breed of outsider who comes for dubious entertainment must be studied more thoroughly and eventually managed effectively. Until then the townspeople who live here cannot safely go downtown after dark.

then

I suspect this young man has a house full of these sort of things. Permissive parents, spoiled kid, has no sense of respect or responsibility that is obvious. Who was to say what he was going to do with that rifle? Has Birmingham reached the point where a shoot out at the OK Corral is in the near future? Suppose a police officer had reacted in another way, had drawn his service weapon? I am surprised a law enforcement officer didn't shoot this young man and in my eyes rightfully so.How many mass shootings have happened by someone carrying a weapon like he was? When are you going to have your citizens walking the streets with weapons on their hips? This is the NRA and gun nuts gone crazy. There is a limit that reasonable people will go to. This went beyond. And now he wants money? Just the kind of person you want living in your community! Good luck.

When I grew up in Michigan Birmingham was the place to be. The good folks lived there. Hang political affiliation. Birmingham was a great city. And now? You are acting a lot like the city I live in here in Florida. Gun nuts populate the state here. They are in charge.

Oh, so now he wants money? I thought he just wanted to have his constitutional rights validated. He is from Troy; wish he had carried his rifle down Big Beaver Road and into Somerset Mall to prove his point, instead of bothering us in B'ham. The Troy Police would not have been so nice.

Arguing with a gun nut always ends up with them undermining their own argument. The more they talk the more you realize they probably shouldn't own a firearm. When you cite the dangers of assault weapons they cite how firearms could save people's lives. So far, the grim tally of domestic mass killings by those with firearms exponentially outnumbers the cases where an armed civilian has prevented a mass killing. Also, we shouldn't have to all carry around our own gun to feel safe.

From Deadline Detroit news site column today:

"Plenty of people contend that Combs was being an ass by needlessly toting a rifle through town. But a nation of laws is obligated to protect asses and non-asses alike, especially when they're exercising rights that, like speech, are supposed to be guaranteed." -- Darrell Dawsey, http://bit.ly/S5ofJq

Look, at the core it's about the principal. When I first read this article both on FB and B'Patch, and read the comments, I was absolutely floored! And I'm sure the kid is a 18 year old punk (like I was) looking for attention for some reason or another.

I believe that one is too many, but there are 400 robberies in B'ham each year, with a population of 20,000...that's more than one a day! I also believe that we should all open carry, and no concealed weapon option.(although ALL first time gun buyers should take a CCW class to know when is the appropriate time to shoot) But like I said, @ the core it is about the principal, our rights should not be infringed upon no matter if your on this great land in a village in Alaska, or in the downtown of "high society" Birmingham.

Mrs Thomas, attacking someone on something so petty as their spelling is exactly why people despise Birmingham and its residents. The elitist attitude in your attack of Rob and his education has nothing to do with this discussion. You may have listened during grammar class, but it certainly appears that manners was not your strong suit. We can agree to disagree and all voice our opinions, but that comment is a little low, in my opinion.