The Second Amendment is an inalienable right of American citizens, but it’s still controversial.
The reason it’s controversial is because politicians and people disagree about what limits, rules, and regulations should be imposed on 2A and why.
On one side, rights should be maximized to the fullest extent. On the other, maximal restrictions need to be put in place to protect people’s safety.
This came to a head in a case down in Georgia, where a heavily armed man came out of the bathroom in a grocery store.
Then, he did nothing and nobody got hurt.
Somewhere in a nearby universe, Rico Marley just shot a mass shooter dead and is being hailed a hero. "But Did He Break the Law"
— An-Cap Charlie Brown (Self-Parody) (@ThreeFrinker) January 2, 2023
Did He Break The Law?
On March 24, 2021, a man by the name of Rico Marley walked into a Publix grocery store in Atlanta, Georgia. He then came out of the bathroom with six firearms and wearing body armor.
He had four handguns and several rifles in a case, as well as being dressed in full gear.
Shoppers and management panicked and the store was evacuated, while Marley was detained and arrested by police. He did not commit any violence or threaten anyone. The question remains: did he break the law?
The incident with Marley came only two days after Ahmad al-Issa shot dead 10 people at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, which is part of why authorities and the public were on high alert.
Though in the state of Georgia, Marley was technically fully within his legal rights to carry as many weapons as he wanted to inside a grocery store.
Even if Rico Marley technically wasn't "breaking the law", private companies and businesses like Publix – and, in the case of SWFL and Fort Myers, Costco – have the right to refuse entry and service to anyone they perceive as posing a threat to their other patrons and customers. https://t.co/3jmokZb7FI
— Amber Goldsmith (autistic, she/they) 🏳️🌈 🐀 (@acagoldsmith) January 2, 2023
Marley’s Defense
Marley’s defense is simple: all weapons were legal, he threatened nobody, and he did not fire any rounds. He simply geared up and got his weapons in the bathroom.
He terrified people who were sure he was about to start a massacre, but he hadn’t actually broken the law in the state of Georgia. So what came next?
The prosecution went after Marley with planning to carry out a shooting, saying he’d shown all the signs of someone who was immediately preparing for a massacre, including loading the weapons and wearing body armor.
These charges didn’t have enough backing and they were thrown out. Later, he was given misdemeanor charges for brandishing his weapon.
He says he’s not guilty and is still in jail awaiting trial.
The Bottom Line
Those who defend Marley say that he is being persecuted for being a homeless black man who fits a criminal profile.
Those who believe he’s guilty say that he crossed the line in doing what he did and clearly intended harm.
At the end of the day, it’s hard to see inside someone’s mind. We can certainly see that the debate over gun rights and open carry appears to be continuing.
This article appeared in StatesmanPost and has been published here with permission.
