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Thursday, September 26, 2013

Man asked to leave farmer's market for carrying live chicken in protest against gun laws

A few carried guns. Mark Scheffler carried a calm, brown hen named Winnie, short for Winchester, like the rifle. Scheffler was asked to leave the Downtown Appleton Farm Market in Wisconsin, and it was precisely the point he and a group of protesters wanted to make at the popular Saturday gathering.
Chickens are far safer than firearms and laws allowing for open carry need to change, said Scheffler of Appleton. “Carrying a loaded assault weapon in downtown Appleton, the fine is zero dollars,” he said. “The fine for carrying a loaded chicken - and she is loaded - is $263.50.” This follows an incident a few weeks ago where police allowed two men to walk around the farmer's market openly carrying AR-15 rifles.

Scheffler and the group felt it was time to prove how ridiculous open carry laws are, but others feel this stunt isn't helping. Appleton police asked the Scheffler to leave with his chicken because bringing animals to the farmer's market violates city rules. They say they are just enforcing the state ordinances. "It's our job to make sure that the laws are enforced and in this case open carry is legal," said Appleton deputy police chief.

Charles Branstrom walked through the farmer's market carrying his loaded pistol, but just a few weeks ago he was the one of the men stopped by police for having a rifle. He thinks this chicken protest isn't comparable. "That can be a health hazard, there's food being prepared down here and it's illegal," said Branstrom. Appleton police are not issuing a fine for Scheffler and his chicken as long as they stay out of the farmer's market area from now on.

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