By Police1 Staff
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Police have released 911 calls and footage of a tense May 4 standoff between an open-carry advocate and officers.
MLive reports that Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers responded to late afternoon calls of a man carrying a rifle along the street.
When officers arrived, 63-year-old Joseph Houseman was uncooperative – refusing to provide his real name and making lewd gestures toward police.
Sgt. Sean Gordon was the first to arrive on the scene, and witnessed Houseman jaywalking. Gordon told Houseman he was being detained for the act.
Houseman spoke of a “revolution” and called police “gang members” with a “history of violence,” according to the report.
A SWAT negotiator, Sgt. Andres Wells, was later brought to the scene to talk down Houseman.
Houseman eventually agreed to allow an officer to approach him. His rifle was confiscated and discovered to be empty of ammunition.
Police asked Houseman to submit to a breathalyzer after 911 reports suggested he was intoxicated, but he refused.
Officers considered charging Houseman with brandishing a firearm — a misdemeanor — but did not. Officials stated that although Houseman’s rifle did not have a sling, it was not evident that he was “brandishing” it.
Houseman was found to have a CCW license and his rifle was later returned.