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Comment by bizentin | Hacker News Reader

Three year old article from NYT. No need to read:

Quick find someone as far from our traditional "normal" background as possible and paint them as recklessly using firearms. Lets also talk down to him for wanting to defend himself against threats that would otherwise have no recourse to receive help aka police response time 3 hours.

Trash article. No intellectual value. No furthering the debate on the pros and cons of firearm freedoms based on the current social and political climate. Just fear mongering and snubbing. Throw this is the trash and find something useful to read.

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Actually, I first heard about this guy through this vimeo video:

https://vimeo.com/169747974

It seems to paint a similar picture to the NY Times article, and appears to be a fair summary of him. The firearms are a part of his life, and I don't see the NY Times article making a big deal of it. The reporter perhaps just isn't used to someone carrying around assault weapons, so is naturally a little bit freaked out.

Overall, both the article and video are a fascinating glimpse into the life of a fascinating man who has very successfully created his own destiny.

>The reporter perhaps just isn't used to someone carrying around assault weapons, so is naturally a little bit freaked out.

This seems rather childish of the reporter. There are armed guards in the Charles de Gaulle airport with assault rifles and these guns are available and visible in common stores in most places around the US.

It's as sad as a reporter writing how afraid they were of being bombed at every air show they reported on.

Big difference between armed guards and a civilian.

Unless these armed guards are actively serving in an army, they are civilians.

I think you know what I meant. Random civilian owning a military weapon vs someone who's job it is to use it for security.

So what if he has several military style rifles; the more power to him. I probably have more though.

I think you misunderstand. I admire the man and respect his right to own his weapons and defend himself while he's out there in the middle of nowhere on his own. I was simply pointing out that it's natural for someone to be slightly wary of a civilian with assault weapons.

I apologize. Just irks me to see the article complaining about a guy with guns in the middle of nowhere.

You mean the six hour safety course?

The CDG "guards" are soldiers on active military duty, IIRC.

You mean whether they're prosecuted if they shoot someone?

Think about it, they are wearing uniforms. They are so official it must be ok.

I'm generally supportive of increased gun regulation but that wasn't even on my mind while reading this article. I just read it as an interesting look into the life of a guy living in solitude. I didn't really care what he was doing with his guns.

The way that paint it, it sound's like he is living the life! This is how I want to retire.

This guy has it right.

Agreed. I think this article actually portrays him in a great light - between helping the FAA and S&R, he seems like a model citizen.

I hope to be that awesome someday.

Also the footnote that there really was a crazy guy going around shooting at people validates his decision to build some fortifications. I thought the article was kind to him.

I'd say it's more along the lines of the NYT poking fun at the humorously urbanite reporter, completely shocked at the concept of living alone, being independent, and having lots of big scary guns.

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