Video Of 2nd Amendment Defender's Confrontation With Police Released

Video published on Friday shows a dramatic confrontation between an open-carry advocate and Michigan police. The incident later led to a federal lawsuit against police officials and officers and the city of Grand Rapids.

Johann Deffert, 28, was detained at gunpoint by Grand Rapids police officers on the afternoon of Sunday, March 3, 2013. Officers said Deffert was standing near a church that was in service and had on him a holstered pistol in plain view, and that he appeared to be talking to himself, according to MLive.com.

Deffert was not arrested or charged with a crime. But in December, he filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Grand Rapids, the Grand Rapids police chief, and three Grand Rapids officers, alleging that police violated his constitutional rights when they detained him.

It is legal under Michigan state law to openly carry a firearm, as long as it is done with lawful intent. Deffert's pistol was not loaded at the time of the incident.

(Hat tip, Reddit)