SAN ANTONIO ā Gun activists held a peaceful rally Saturday evening outside the San Antonio Police Department's East Side substation.
The rally comes two weeks after James Speight and his son Taj Jee Speight, 18, were arrested while carrying their rifles loaded with magazines at a march on July 4.
"On that day, the police officers came up to us and told us we were fine as along as we kept the barrels pointed toward the ground and as long as the chamber was clear," James Speight said.
The men were walking along East Houston Street and North New Braunfels Avenue when officers took notice.
"About 10 minutes later, it felt like every police officer in San Antonio came out and surrounded me and my son," James Speight said.
Cellphone footage captured from the July 4 march shows SAPD officers putting the men in handcuffs.
SAPD issued the following statement when asked about the reasoning behind the arrests: "On two occasions, officers observed James (Speight) point the barrel of the weapon in a reckless manner in the officer's direction."
The department also cited city ordinance Sec. 21-16., which says, "It shall be unlawful for any person, other than duly authorized peace officers, to carry a loaded rifle or shotgun on any public street within the city."
James Speight said he never handled his weapon in a reckless manner.
"I did 20 years in the Air Force. I'm a 20-year, 100 percent disabled veteran. (I) have an honorable discharge and I've never been in trouble before," he said.
Open Carry Texas, a group dedicated to the safe and legal carry of firearms, has an issue with the city's ordinance.
The organization said that under state law, citizens can carry a loaded rifle or shotgun, including one bullet in the chamber or additional rounds in a magazine.
"There's a state law that says, 'Hey, cities and counties, you may not make laws concerning citizens owning, carrying or otherwise having guns.' San Antonio has a law anyway," said David Amad with Open Carry Texas.
The father and son were arrested and charged with carrying a loaded a firearm. They are now fighting the charges.