I actually have three things here. - first, my personal philosophy is to blend, so I wouldn’t have gone this route. It goes against the oft cited grey-man philosophy and the ambient threat level would have to go up substantially for this to be “walking around” gear. - secondly, that being said, dude might have had the right and therefore I don’t have a problem with it on principle. This is obviously very polarizing, but very technically as far as the law as written is concerned, he may have been within his rights. I’ll have to look up city ordinances or other restrictions he might be afoul of. - third, if this gets ruled on and he (somehow) comes out on top, it may actually be a landmark case for open carry. Cops would have to prove he was “brandishing” or “disturbing the peace” or whatever he’s officially charged with, which could have a pretty low threshold. Standing still and shouting without any weapons could be considered “disturbing the peace” so I think they’ve got a pretty good case against the guy given the circumstances. Doesn’t make it right, just means they have legal precedent.
But, again, as the law is written, he might just maybe possibly have a chance.
