Panic Ensues After Mass. Man Found Roaming Mall With Rifle — Wait, Umbrella
- Posted on April 19, 2011 at 12:52pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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BURLINGTON, Mass. (AP) — State police say a man thought to be roaming inside a Massachusetts mall with a rifle was actually carrying an umbrella.
Authorities say the man called state police Tuesday after hearing reports about the Burlington Mall being evacuated because of an unconfirmed report of a man with a rifle walking around the Nordstrom’s department store.
The Massachusetts State Police wrote on their Twitter account that police had received two calls about a short white man with a gray shirt and a backpack, and carrying what appeared to be a rifle.
But state police say witnesses and surveillance footage confirmed that the man was just carrying an umbrella to protect himself from the rain outside. He is an employee of the nearby Lahey Clinic, a hospital.
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Comments (139)
Arshloch
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:38pmBoth coasts are full of squirrels; ergo they see threats where ever they look.
Report Post »quarter horseman
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:32pmIf it was a gun and he was in Michigan, we would call that open carry and its legal.
Report Post »teachermitch32
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 2:41pmObviously he wasn’t carrying it open.
Report Post »Entropy
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:28pm“Drop the chalupa, put it down man!”
Report Post »Derfel Cadarn
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:24pmI suppose an umbrella could be considered a weapon of mass deflection,but I digress.
Report Post »GSP Guy
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 4:03pmIndeed , Mr. shneed!
Report Post »Ray2447
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:21pmIt‘s a good thing he didn’t start singing and dancing like Gene Kelly. The PC paranoids might have accused him of brandishing an umbrella.
Report Post »MOLLYPITCHER
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:19pmidiots. Don’t jump to conclusions
Report Post »chips1
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:19pmJust another incident that the left will use to cause panic. I’ll tell you that when it hits the fan, they will be pleading for us to protect them from danger. Too bad. They made their bed and now they have to sleep in it. The neighbors around me have a plan to protect each other. Cleaning up the mess will be the easy part.
Report Post »Rashomon
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:19pmMrs. Peel, we’re needed.
Report Post »Mr. Nice Guy
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:36pmGood one.
Report Post »TEIN
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:14pmGreat, the TSA is going to be at malls patting down people for things that look like something else…and please make all umbrellas a passion pink…
Report Post »RJinCO
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:12pmDid he have a state-issued Umbrella Owner Identificaiton (UOID)?
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:11pmNext they’ll try to ban Mary Poppins videos under the guise of inciting umbrella terrorism.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:22pmI never trusted her…what does she have in that bag?
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:37pm100 copies of “The coming insurrection for Dummies”?
Report Post »Michael912
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 10:42amSpoon full of sugar my eye, what’s REALLY in that spoon?
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:11pmWHO would look at an umbrella and see instead a RIFFLE? I am blind as a bat an yet can tell the difference
Report Post »smak
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 1:59amSome jerk did. Get over it.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:10pmIf you Blazers don’t stop with all the hateful, extreme rhetoric, I swear…I have an umbrella and I’m not afraid to use it!
Report Post »WillyGoode
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:08pmGuns don’t kill people…people ki…I mean umbrellas kill people.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:11pmThe day they outlaw umbrellas, only outlaws will stay dry in the rain.
Report Post »Bonnieblue2A
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:14pmBefore politicall correctness they were called “bumbershoots”. Fearing the mere suggestion of “shoots” would incite violence the neame bumbershoots was neutered to umbrella(s).
Don’t even think of carrying a compact umbrella concealed in your purse or briefcase. You’ll have to undergo a background check, finger prints, take training, and pay license fees for your CCU (conceal carry umbrella) permit.
Report Post »WillyGoode
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 3:26pmIf you buy one of those small umbrellas you can put in your purse, do you have to get a special permit???
Report Post »Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:07pmAnd he wasn’t The Penguin from Batman, so this is a happy ending. Hooray!
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:06pmI’d just like to know what the umbrellas caliber and magazine capacity is, I may just pick one up.
Report Post »NeoKong
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:03pmNice going. Who’s the genius who made the call….?
Report Post »butler180
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:12pmProbably some kid who never saw a gun in his/her life OR someone looking for 15 sec. of fame
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 2:43pmJanet Napalitano and “ see something say something”.
Report Post »butler180
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:02pmThis is the result of the anti gun activist in this country. We do not know the difference between an umbrella and a gun. The left has fostered some much paranoia that people are on the verge of hysteria.
Report Post »I can guarantee this incident will be use by the anti gun activist to put further restrictions on gun ownership.
KTSontag
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:02pmAnd the nanny state continues. Let the panic ensue.
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:28pmShows you just how much FEAR the nanny state has instilled into the general public…..why else would we need them to make all our decisions and tell us what and how to do!!! It’s all for our own good of course. We are too stupid to make our own decisions.
Report Post »Big Mickey
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:01pmI wonder if it was one of those high capacity umbrellas?
Report Post »OneSheepDog
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:07pmOh no not the BAT-FU?
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:09pmLmao !
Report Post »Whostolemypig
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:00pmNow the ATF will want to ban umbrellas.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:07pmOnly assault umbrellas.
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 4:48pmUmbrellas don’t kill people, people kill people.
Report Post »Bonnieblue2A
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:00pmWas it an evil black umbrella? No doubt the umbrella czar needs to write new regs so that truly harmless umbrellas can be identified by their bright color and lack of an automatic deployment button! Sounds like a job for AWB Joe Biden!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 12:58pmWas it The Penguin? Light the Bat signal!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:14pmdaadadadadddaddaadadddaaaddadaadada BATMAN!
Report Post »Michael912
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 10:38amDon’t forget about Robin (the pansy) he’ll get his feelings hurt.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 12:57pmSo now a umbrella is easily mistaken for a gun or rifle; sounds like things are once again pushing to the border of our world and the twilight zone…anyone for tea with the mad hatter and the queen of hearts?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:04pmTEA! … yes … I like TEA .. though I haven’t seen the people you refer to .. that sounds more like a Union Thug event.
TEA!
Report Post »1TrueOne55
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 2:41pmSounds like Mass. is watching to much History Channel Modern Marvels: Guns. And when they repeat the episodes for days on end you would be knowlegeable on the different ways that Gun makers have hidden guns, you think that gun in the big western buckle is fake look again etc etc etc. There are some companies that manufacture for High Security Companies guns that look like everyday items.
I remember when flying to Israel in 1985 that the ticket Agents at LAX EL-AL had really large casts on their right hands.
But I do agree with the fact that Liberals are easily scared by any item that looks like a “Gun”… Even a 4“ plastic soldier holding a 2” plastic rifle.
Report Post »SpunkyGal
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 2:48pmMuch like the ever elusive yeti, the rifle is rarely seen in Mass. and hard to identify…
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:51amLOL! @ Spunkygal
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 12:54pmWOW they‘re lucky that he didn’t try to open that umbrella .
Report Post »Revere1
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 12:58pmAnd maybe liberals would feel more comfortable if we had more “umbrella control.” They don’t like guns, so why not ban things that look like guns? These people don’t live in the real world. http://www.battlefield315.com/2011/04/gun-control-explained.html
Report Post »and to the republic
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 12:59pmI had an unbrella open up on me one time when I hit a bump while walking…oh my, blood everywhere.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:01pmIgnorance is bliss, I guess.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:02pm@Robert-CA;
“WOW they‘re lucky that he didn’t try to open that umbrella .” Yes, it would be bad luck.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:03pmThat’s it — we need an UMBRELLA BAN!
Report Post »GdavidH
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:07pm@Robert-Ca…Actually I think the umbrella wielder was lucky he didn’t try to open it. He might have been shot by Barney Fife, or mobbed and beaten by a crazed liberal crowd with a case of the vapors.
Report Post »PreserveOurFreedoms
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:14pmBan all umbrellas that:
fold for “concealment”;
have a “pistol grip”;
are that “scary black” color;
do not have a trigger lock;
have high-capacity protection;
do not have a bio-metric interface;
cannot mark raindrops with serial numbers.
It’s all for the children!!!
Whirling Dervish
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:20pm“ protect himself ” how dare!!! that is the governments job!!!
Report Post »PreserveOurFreedoms
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:20pmBan all umbrellas that:
are “high-capacity”;
do not have a bio-metric interlock;
have a “pistol grip”;
do not mark each raindrop with a serial number;
have a “folding or telescoping stock” and can be concealed;
are semi or fully automatic.
It’s for Safety!!! It’s for the children!!!
Report Post »tirepitstop
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:20pmDon’t make me open my Umbrella…ella….ella…hey….hey…
Report Post »unsalvageable.org
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:20pmThank you DHS, I feel safer everyday. Just remember “If you see something, say something”.
Once again people jump to conclusions and freak out about nothing. http://www.unsalvageable.org
Report Post »Obama Snake Oil Co
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:22pmWas is an automatic or semi automatic umbrella? It does make a difference…..Also, was this a breach of the Concealed and Carry laws on the books? He should be brought to sensitivity training for scaring all those liberals out there, why he might have just opened up on them….who knows how many would have been keep dry….
Report Post »afishfarted
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:25pmyeah, and this is the success the left wing gun grabbers have. They’ve made so many people so dam scared of their shadow they over react to everything. sheesh. lemmings without even knowing it. but that what a lemming is–a non-thinker
Report Post »Bloody Sam
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:32pm“Also, was this a breach of the Concealed and Carry laws on the books? ”
Actually, in Massachusetts, a holder of an unrestricted Class A LTC is legally permitted to carry an unloaded rifle anywhere in public. Although, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Report Post »mrsmileyface
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:34pmWere gonna need the TSA to scan for all umbrellas at malls from now on. 10 bucks that some towelhead going to now try to stuff an umbrella up his a$$ to get thur TSA mall security.
Report Post »Mainer forever
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:41pmWow!! You guys are all way too funny!!!
Report Post »brliantedj
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:43pmJust think, if all others had an umbrella…. this wouldn’t be news.
Report Post »NSDQ
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:43pmWAIT HOLD ONE!! The police Tweeted the call before going to it, WTH??
Report Post »staythecourse
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:46pmBetter ban unbrellas in the mall…or better yet, just have everyone register their’s with the state police. LOL
Report Post »DTOM_Jericho
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:51pmwait… we pay pigs to twitter?
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 1:56pmLibs are so dumb… they don’t even know what a GUN looks like…
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 2:18pmA follow up report has just been issued. Officers have arrested the umbrella wielding man on reasons of caring a concealed weapon of mass destruction. Upon further investigation lead investigator Roscoe P. Coltrain stated that ” the weapon, when opened caused massive disruption to precipitation which in turn impacted local UN mandated green laws of Earths civil rights by disrupting said precipitations natural right to free flow. Coltrain, went on to say, that the resulting loss to the natural environment will undoubtedly result in local counts of ragweed, hogweed, and dandelion being greatly effected because of this weapon, a sever violation of the Earths civil rights.
The weapon has been quarantined and the suspect is being held without bail.
Brought to you by Timothy “Van” Jones and UN agenda 21, coming to a town near you soon.
Thus Earth is ours to steward, for our needs and purpose, it was created for us, and not we it. The Earth is not an entity, it is a gift to mankind from GOD almighty, it is not a god itself.
Report Post »IvanK
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 2:27pmUmbrellas don’t kill people, leftist crazies kill people!
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 2:30pmThere needs to be a law that all umbrellas need to be bright pink, so there will never be another tragic mistake like the one here. We must all stand together to ensure this mistake never happens again.
Report Post »Evileye
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 2:38pmHe lucky to be alive
Report Post »About twenty years ago in Seattle
The police busted a door down and killed a guy he had a TV turner in his hand.
Wrong house.
Of course the police were exonerated
dealer@678
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 3:29pmDon’t taze me bro
Report Post »avenger
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 4:15pmthey missed the ak-47 lite model in the umbrella….
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 6:32pmgood thing he didnt open it or 7 years bad luck, or is that breaking a mirror ? oh well whatever nevermind.
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 9:52pmMaybe if everyone was allowed to carry an umbrella, we’d be able to handle some nutjob in a mall and not have to run in panic.
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 5:52amCould have been one of those “James Bond” type shooting umbrellas.
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 7:23amWow you people ard over the top!
Report Post »Thank God someone was mistaken on what they saw and the police acted in a manner that would minimze the problem. People are afraid and I wonder why.
All these stupid comments are what?
So let us say the man was carrying what should have been done? Let me guess have the police send some one to make sure the guy didn’t have an umbrella?
Your like the idiots that complain there are too many fire trucks at a false alarm but what if!
jetblast3500
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 9:46am@Yougotta
Report Post »The people here aren’t complaining about the police response to the event. The police did what they needed to do and left. What‘s being made fun of is the people who can’t tell the difference between a rifle and an umbrella
onebigassmistakeamerica
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 4:25pmI propose a complete and comprehensive ban on umbrellas before someone gets hurt!
Report Post »Michael912
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 10:35amThe elementary school near my house was in “lockdown” because of ….well, the first info was that there was a shooting at our local college, then it was a man with a gun on the roof, then it turned out to be a man on the roof with…….wait for it……..wait for it……..a camera. People really need to pull their heads out of tha “dark place” and learn a little about guns….from those of us who ACTUALLY know a thing or two about them.
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