• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

HARDBALLER got me in trouble today.

BROKENSPROKET

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2010
Messages
2,199
Location
Trempealeau County
Well, he really didn't, but here is the story.

I had some business to take care of in Alma with the Sheriff Dept.

So, I thought since I was in the area, I would give Hardballer a call to see if he wanted to meet for cappuccino.

He told me of a coffee shop that we could meet up at. I got there before him, so I waited at a small table outside the coffee shop.

I got up and went inside to a little bit and came back outside.

There was a barge coming up the river, so I went around the corner to watch it for a bit.

Then, a man came up to me and asked if I was a cop.

I said, "no".

Then why do YOU have a GUN, he asked.

"For self-defense" I answered.

"FROM WHO"? he asked,

Very calmly I answered, "From anyone.",

He then stormed off cussing and throwing insults.

I was partly amused but slightly taken back because I have never been approached like that.
Hardballer showed up, the guy was about 10 feet from his truck.

When he got out of the truck, the man was talking very loud to another person and pointing at me saying that I had a gun.

He saw the 1911 on hardballer and he got even more bent out shape.

Harballer and I went into the coffee shop. We sat in there and talked for awhile.

The man stayed across the street like he was staking us out and telling anyone he could that men with guns were in the coffee shop.

After awhile, we went for a walk and checked out a couple of museums and art galleries for tourists.

We crossed the street and turned back and walked to the south end of Alma then turned around headed back towards the coffee shop.

The man was still on the sidewalk, talking loudly with another woman professionally dressed and pointing at us.

We were getting closer and instead of walking past/around the man, Hardballer decides to go inside a bank to ask about opening a checking account for his non-profit animal rescue where individuals could make donations.

The man yelled, "YOU CANNOT GO IN A BANK WITH GUNS".

I said, "I don't see a sign that says that I cannot".

The man STORMS into the bank in front of me but after Hardballer, yelling that they will put up a sign. .

Hardballer walks right up to an open teller and begins inquiring about opening an account The lady that the man had been talking to, goes into an office and gets on the phone.

The man is at the other end causing a disturbance, yelling thing like"I FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THESE @#$% BRINGING GUNS IN HERE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE."

The man said alot more than that and as a bit vulgar.

The president came up a stood next to the teller and asked Hardballer and the teller what was going on here.

Hardballer explained while the man was still going off.

When Hardballer was done explaining, the president seemed to evaluate the situation and asked us politely to leave while the man was upset.

We complied and very graciously left the bank.

The man followed us out, cussing us out saying that he was a homicide investigator for 20 years and he was going to follow us everywhere we went.

We walked for a little bit and I got my phone out ready to call 911.

I turned to the guy and very calmly asked him if he was a socialist or a communist.

The man, not so politely, said he wasn’t.

I asked him if he was a patriot.

The man said he served Viet Nam and flamed us for walking around like soldiers.

Anyway, he stormed off cussing.

He didn’t give me the chance to thank him for his service.

Hardballer and I sat down on a park bench an talked for a bit. Then law enforcement showed up.

TO BE CONTINUED…………
 
Last edited:

TangoDown

Regular Member
Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
28
Location
Everywhere...and nowhere
Wtf?!?

Stormin around and stalkin you 2 boot? WTF!? Hell if any1 was cuasing trouble it was his stupid @$$. Harpin and moaning like some kind of lil t!t baby. This is America my freind, dont like firearms, move to Eourope. till then stop the baby whinening. Looks like its time for an OC event in Hardballers kneck of da woods,same coffe shope and area Im in and coud bring few peple with aswel.

-Tango
 

Mlutz

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2010
Messages
758
Location
, ,
New soap opera, "As the cylinder turns"... I hope everything works out ok for you guys. And really can't wait to find out what Leo does... When do we get to find out?
 

MKEgal

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Messages
4,383
Location
in front of my computer, WI
What a donkey. (Only because the correct word would probably be censored.)

If he really felt threatened, he wouldn't have approached either of you, let alone made a scene, let alone followed you around making a scene!

If I were the bank manager, I'd've asked the upset man to leave because he was bothering my customers & staff, & maybe called police to report his disorderly conduct.
"Yes, sir, I can see you're upset. How about you wait right here in this office, & I'll call police to deal with the situation?"
 
Last edited:

hardballer

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
925
Location
West Coast of Wisconsin
Stormin around and stalkin you 2 boot? WTF!? Hell if any1 was cuasing trouble it was his stupid @$$. Harpin and moaning like some kind of lil t!t baby. This is America my freind, dont like firearms, move to Eourope. till then stop the baby whinening. Looks like its time for an OC event in Hardballers kneck of da woods,same coffe shope and area Im in and coud bring few peple with aswel.

-Tango

I would love to set up a fun get-together any time. It would be great to mill about down town as there are several places to check out, antiques stores, museums, art gallery's, awesome leather shoppe, custom jewelery store (Pearls) and a lot more. Great places to eat, a view of the river that can't be beat.

The Eagles over Alma (eagle watch + Museum), The Coffee Shoppe (Mmmmmm-Mmmmm good espresso, coffee and pastry.) Old fashioned bakery etc, etc. and of course the bank...Heheheh... I am the only one in Buffalo County who carries as far as I know... Would be nice to have some OC friends in town or generally roaming the streets.

Heck, ya might even get to meet this Open Carry Stalker who will follow you around town screaming and yelling at the top of his voice and if you are really lucky you will see veins bursting in his forehead. He may even wave his arms about his head as he did for BROKENSPROKET and myself.

This is an event not to be missed and of course you will probably end up meeting the entire Sheriff's dept. and as a special bonus, the Chief of Police. And starring in a special one time event you will be able to observe and meet actual citizens running about, in a panic, into the Kwik Trip yelling, "there are a bunch of guys with guns at the bank, OMG!!!".

So put this get-together on your calendar now! (seriously, let's figure one out.) Personally, isolated as BROKENSPROCKET and I are in our respective counties, I would appreciate each and every one of you who would attend a gathering as would my disabled wife and she would love to meet all of you. There are two parks near the city that have a stunning view and you can even take a boat ride (at a small cost) across the river in front of the dam. (darn good Walleye fishing)

As for the rest of the story, I'll leave that to BROKENSPROCKET as he has a wonderful knack for telling true life tales...
 

hardballer

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
925
Location
West Coast of Wisconsin
What a donkey. (Only because the correct word would probably be censored.)

If he really felt threatened, he wouldn't have approached either of you, let alone made a scene, let alone followed you around making a scene!

If I were the bank manager, I'd've asked the upset man to leave because he was bothering my customers & staff, & maybe called police to report his disorderly conduct.
"Yes, sir, I can see you're upset. How about you wait right here in this office, & I'll call police to deal with the situation?"

I had been in the bank, several times before with my gun with no problem.

Since I read your comments, I have reconsidered what happened at the bank and you are spot on! They should have asked the crazy to leave. This is an eye opener because it points out what happens in peoples minds. The guy was a whack job trouble maker and we were calm citizens going about or business. Yet the bank catered to the whackjob looking at our guns as the problem and not the looney-tune as the problem.

The bank president remarked to me that he would like us to leave and come back without our guns. Even though he could see we were not the threat. He later told me, he had no problem with our guns. But in my view, he looked at the guns as the problem and not this idiot... In fact, my wife pointed out, I even apologized for the incident (dam Wisconsin Nice), taking responsibility for some crazy person's insane behavior. ARRRRGGGG!

I don't really know how to handle this part. The more I think on it, the more it bothers me. Once you stand back from the incident and ponder for a while, the reality of what happened comes out. One thing I do realize now and my wife told me this, "Never apologize... except to her... :)"

Thanks for the insight MKEgal...
 

hardballer

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
925
Location
West Coast of Wisconsin
I wonder if this guy could be brought up on disorderly, stalking, and assault (Outside, he got within a half a foot of my face and spit was flying.) Just sayin'... As an aside, Buffalo County has a liberal Sheriff and Judge. Hmmmmm...
 

CalicoJack10

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2010
Messages
559
Location
Arbor Vitae
You get the date and time set (Preferably on a saturday) and I will show up with Bullets on. I will even wear my Vets 4 Vets shirt and my OIF/OEF Veteran hat. That way when we run into this loon we can have a new kind of conversation. lol

I am ok with putting ***** Vets in their place. I have done that a time or two, and I usually end up being friends with them as a result/ But soething tells e that I would not have that chance with this pecker head. I even have a couple other real deal combat vets that I am betting would attend with bullets on.

You know how to find me when you get this together. lol
 

hardballer

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
925
Location
West Coast of Wisconsin
You get the date and time set (Preferably on a saturday) and I will show up with Bullets on. I will even wear my Vets 4 Vets shirt and my OIF/OEF Veteran hat. That way when we run into this loon we can have a new kind of conversation. lol

I am ok with putting ***** Vets in their place. I have done that a time or two, and I usually end up being friends with them as a result/ But soething tells e that I would not have that chance with this pecker head. I even have a couple other real deal combat vets that I am betting would attend with bullets on.

You know how to find me when you get this together. lol
You got a deal Jack! I'll check out the BBQ at the legion... this could be a great kickoff event for the season...

I'll check into the particulars and keep posting here. Once it is set, I will give it a thread of it's own. BROKENSPROCKET may be able to help too. I'll ask him. That is, if he dares to come back into Alma...

I'm kinda thinkin' about the third weekend in June, Saturday, Just before the Fourth of July! That would be the 25th so there is plenty of time prior to the Fourth. I also will have to check to be sure there aren't any conflicting OC events.


It is St. Jean-Baptiste Day in Quebec on the 24th but I don't think that'll get in the way.
 
Last edited:

BROKENSPROKET

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2010
Messages
2,199
Location
Trempealeau County
I am working on transcribing from my audio recorder.

You guys have the right idea. Before I read all your posts, I was telling me dad that I HAVE to do an Open Carrry Picnic in Alma. That community needs some education. We can take donations for Animal Rescue. How about that?

Hardballer, if you want to finish the story, please do. I am really busy until Sunday.
 
Last edited:

wrightme

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2008
Messages
5,574
Location
Fallon, Nevada, USA
I wonder if this guy could be brought up on disorderly, stalking, and assault (Outside, he got within a half a foot of my face and spit was flying.) Just sayin'... As an aside, Buffalo County has a liberal Sheriff and Judge. Hmmmmm...

Did I read it correctly, that this obviously deranged person followed you two into a business with the purpose of causing a scene, and you were asked to leave?


And, if he felt so uncomfortable in the bank with you in there, why did he follow you in, into the place where he 'felt uncomfortable?'
 
Last edited:
Top