Group defends Second Amendment rights with long guns and cookies

A group of determined men, women and children got together Saturday for a family-friendly outing - a heavily-armed family outing with some of Southeast Texas' staunchest defenders of their Second Amendment rights.

The Beaumont chapter of Come and Take it Texas organized an open carry rally and walk down Dowlen Road to air their concerns following an incident at Parkdale Mall on Dec. 28, when a store owner's gun was seized and he was cited after he walked through the mall with an AR-15 strapped to his back.

Organizer Brian Smith of Liberty County estimated about 110 people showed up at the Sertino's parking lot, where the Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a microphone was set up anyone who wanted to speak.

Following the rally, the gun-toting group walked out to Crow Road, crossed Dowlen and went south to Lowe's.

There were AR-15s and AK-47s and other long guns that are legal to carry openly in Texas.

Smith, a 53-year-old retired firefighter, carried a 1914 Remington Enfield.

"It's a veteran of World War I, it's been around a while," he said. "It's 100 years old, let it see some sunshine."

Smith said the group's main objective is for Texas' open carry rights to be extended to handguns as well as long guns.

As it stands, only police officers and those breaking the law display handguns openly, and Smith said there is no reason why law-abiding Texans should not be able to carry them openly.

After the walk, they went to lunch at one of three restaurants that agreed to host them: Raising Cane's, Schlotzsky's and Chick-fil-A.

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Group defends Second Amendment rights with long guns and cookies