FF:VIC Amusing incident involving a star wars fan

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/force-nabs-star-wars-fan/2007/05/25/1179601641933.html

Bugger privacy and what not, does someone know who this is? Can someone please tell me it was Dags? Haha

Ha, the first report I read (albeit on the JCC) said this was in Canberra. I assumed PoT had gone mad and decided to Cosplay

Oh dear, oh dear! I came on this morning to rant about how funny it was to see the pictures on the news last night and ask if there was anyone I should know there - but this is just so much funnier!!
Poor guy though - those charges better be dropped! We should charge the courtroom with our lightsabers!

It is his own stupid fault for not concealing it properly!

Nup, definately not me. Not even anyone I know either.

You're right, the guy was a goose having the gun being visible like that, and wearing the all-black garb too didn't help.

That 'goose' was one of my troopers on his way to a promotional shoot for the 30th anniversary of ANH for the MX rag. As it was only his second troop with the 501st, he was unaware of public reaction to the appearance of replica props (not 'weapons').
While he may have been a little careless in ensuring his E-11 wasn't concealed properly, there is little difference between what happened here and any of us out in public with our blasters un-holstered. If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me to point my 'gun' at them, I'd retire comfortably. The media has beat this up consistently since last week - in one story he is Darth Vader, in another he's a stormtrooper. In reality he is neither, and that is what ought to be remembered.

Cheers,

Bruce Harrison
Commanding Officer
501st Legion - Terror Australis Garrison
www.501tag.com

Thanks for clearing that for us Bruce, very decent of you!

Any word on whether the 'goose' is going to be formally charged? How's he coping with all the uh...attention?

He's doing better than he was this time last week.
His main concern isn't the possibility of facing charges or losing his replica prop, it's about bringing the Star Wars universe into a bad light.
I visited the arresting officer at the St Kilda Police Centre the next day.
I handed him copies of a few certificates of appreciation, letters, cards & emails from the charities we support as well as a few pictures of us trooping (including several posing with the local constabulary!).
They said they were understanding of the situation and would be surprised if it went any further.
Lessons learned though.

See you all at Jedi-Force - if not before!

Cheers,

Bruce

OH they can piss off! "The charges still apply even though the gun was fake". As if!! Poor guy...

News of this even reached us in LA at C4.

I knew it wasn't me.....at least I hope it wasn't me.

Carrying a fake exposed replica gun..what a newb!

I guess this highlights one very important thing, and that is whenever someone joins a costuming organisation that they are given the whole run down of dos and don't regarding weapon visibility in a public place.

I always remember that whenever Star Walking did costume promotions we ensured that all of our team were fully versed in how to deal with the public and what NOT to do regarding weapons.

Having said this, our fellow here was on his way TO a promotion and not actually in it at the time so I guess it could've happened to anyone, still, I gotta say that common sense does have to kick in a bit here (sez the guy who once carried a replica SW blaster rifle down the middle of Mt Buller during the ski season once upon a time in full view of everyone).

Anyway, It might've put the whole Star Wars world into a somewhat of an embarrasing light for a day or two but in great words of that famous Sandtrooper...

"Move along, move along".

BTW, Bruce great to see you in charge of the troops now. Well done. Remember, the Empire isn't evil, it's just a little misunderstood.

Yep I am used of film production in the general public. Sometimes we involve weapons and we have strict rules about holding and covering them. In this day and age of anti-terrorist actions it is important to be smart and wise about your actions.

Yeah..be smart around paranoid people...

As opposed to being paranoid around smart people, which seems to be the status quo.

Smart people ARE paranoid...

I'm not picky. I'm just generally paranoid about everyone and everything

WHO SAID THAT?

no-one....no-one...

Was it the voices????

Looks like the war propaganda is working....

Yes indeed. Also, they are para-nnoyed.

tool

"Mayor went to Dark Side...Darth Vader voice toy bought with stolen funds."

Tee hee hee. Check it out here

He loves those gift vouchers also lol