I cannot wait to hear how their rights were violated. Like it says they were not the smartest apples in the barrel to be in a bank parking lot with an M-16 visible. Some will defend their rights to carry them into a bank.
AIKEN --- Here's a banking tip: when making a withdrawal, you might want to leave your weapons at home, especially in Aiken County, where several banks have been robbed lately.
On Monday, two brothers -- one from North Augusta, the other from Atlanta -- learned what can happen if you have guns visible in your car in a bank parking lot, even if you're legally approved to carry them.
Someone just might call the police.
"Everybody took it for the real deal," Capt. Troy Elwell said, adding it was an ultimate example of "Wrong place at the wrong time."
The incident started about 2 p.m. when Aiken County authorities say they got a report from an anonymous caller reporting two men with guns who were thought to be putting on masks and about to enter a Bank of America on Edgefield Road in North Augusta.
Swarms of police rushed to the bank.
They stopped the men from driving away, got them out and onto the ground, then handcuffed them. Eventually, police learned there were no masks, the guns were legally owned and in their vehicle and the two men were simply trying to make a checking account withdrawal.
Capt. Elwell said his department ended up apologizing to the men, but he explained the situation, saying an anonymous caller had tipped them off amid other similar holdups.
"And they understood," he said.
Capt. Elwell said one of the guns in the vehicle was a civilian version of an M-16. The other weapon was a handgun.
"That's not something you see your average person toting for self defense," Capt. Elwell said. "That's military-type arsenal, and to carry it in plain view."
He said the men were legally transporting the guns, but he told them that next time they might want to consider putting them in the trunk.
"It's not the smartest idea" having such weapons in plain view in a vehicle while at a bank, he said.
Reach Preston Sparks at (803) 648-1395 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com
Comments
I cannot wait to hear how their rights were violated. Like it says they were not the smartest apples in the barrel to be in a bank parking lot with an M-16 visible. Some will defend their rights to carry them into a bank.
I doubt you'll hear anything about their rights being violated; however, it's simply amazing to me they left weapons (heck, any weapon) like these in open view. Idiots. Guys, keep your stuff out of view! Properly secure your weapons. Geez!
They are lucky the moron that shot at the other BOA robbery did not shoot them.
Well let me be the first to say that "their rights were violated". If they broke no laws, what's the problem? Some of you are probably the same ones who wish there were armed law abiding citizens close by when some thug comes in shooting. I can't comment on SC law because I don't know it. But here in GA, there is no law against carrying any firearm into a bank by anybody authorized to carry a weapon(I.E. GFL holders, LEO's, Judges, DA's, members of the military service, ect.....).
Given the violence that occurs in today's society, I don't think I would have had the guns in plain view if I had no evil intentions. I would have thrown a jacket over themor something if I did want to keep them in the car. I guess thes two had reasons that are not known to us, but at this point they seem pretty stupid.
Ditto to comments from YellowHammer. I agree that it was not smart to leave the weapons exposed. but being stupid is not a crime.
Citizens need to stop wacking out every time they see someone with a firearm exposed. But until they do, I'll continue carrying concealed.
YellowHammer is right on: their rights WERE violated. It is evident that they were doing nothing wrong. What was wrong is an overzealous individual (probably a nosey old woman!) who "thought" he/she saw something he/she didn't. People need to get a grip that weapons don't hurt people ... it's those with bad intentions that do the harm. I applaud these men for being understanding in regards to how things went down.
I agree things happen. I actually think it is better to declare or have them open in some cases such as these weapons mainly due to their nature. I do think the SC law enforcement though needs to be somewhat more careful. They did not have Ski masks as was reported by the article. If they were putting them on you would think they would still have them on. OH and lets not forget they were stopped while leaving was what was reported. OOPS. I certainly aplaud them for not being another person lawsuit happy making everything cost more and life miserable for law abiding citizens.
A little overreaction on everyones part, except the SO, they did they're job. Someone said they were putting on masks, see debsters post & the article. They should keep the long guns in the trunk. I don't think anyones rights were violated. I do think they'll put the guns in the trunk, or cover them up next time, that was stupid. But there's no law against stupid. If, while they were inside making their withdrawal, some [filtered word] thug walked by & saw the guns, things might have been different.
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