"On March 16, 2013, my son and I were hiking along country roads amongpastures and fields with my 15-year old son to help him earn his hikingmerit badge. I always enjoy these father/son hikes because it gives metime alone with my son. As I always do when we go on these hikes andwalks, I took my trusty rifle with me as there are coyotes, wild hogs,and cougars in our area. In Texas, it is legal to openly carry a rifleor shotgun as long as you do so in a manner that isn't calculated tocause alarm. In other words, you can't walk around waving your rifle atpeople. I always carry my rifle slung across my chest dangling, notholding it in my hands.At about the 5 mile mark of our hike, avoice behind us asked us to stop and the officer motioned for us toapproach him. He got out of his car and met us a few feet later. Heasked us what we were doing and I explained that we were hiking for myson's merit badge. He then asked me what I'm doing with the rifle, towhich I responded in a calm manner, "Does it matter, officer? Am Ibreaking the law?"At that point, the officer grabbed my riflewithout warning or indication. He didn't ask for my rifle and he didn'tsuggest he would take it from me. He simply grabbed it. This startledme and I instantly pulled back - the rifle was attached to me - and Iasked what he thought he was doing because he's not taking my rifle. Hethen pulled his service pistol on me and told me to take my hands offthe weapon and move to his car, which I complied with. He then slammedme into the hood of his car and I remembered I had a camera on me (oneof the requirements of the hiking merit badge is to document yourhikes). This video is the rest of that encounter. Up to this point, Iam not told why I am being stopped, why he tried to disarm me, or eventhat I'm under arrest.We did not set out that Saturday morningto "make a point" or cause problems. Our goal was to complete a 10-milehike and return home without incident. My son chose a route that awayfrom populated areas but near our home.The arresting officer is Officer Steve Ermis and the supervisor is Sergeant Minnicks of the Temple Police Department.If you agree this was a gross act of exceeded authority, please help me fight these charges"