Sean Combs of Troy tested the United States' open-carry laws when he slung a rifle over his shoulder and walked through downtown Birmingham in April of 2012.

He won.

A jury

, 18 at the time of his arrest, on charges of brandishing a firearm and disturbing the peace. Combs continued with a federal lawsuit claiming his civil rights under the

of the Constitution were violated by the arrest and prosecution for the legal act.

A federal court on Aug. 30 found that, due to Combs' youthful appearance, police had reasonable cause to ask him for ID and to arrest him when he initially failed to provide it.

The case was dismissed.

Photo of weapon carried by Sean Combs (AP Photo/The Oakland Press, Doug Bauman)

It is

— and mandatory if you possess a firearm in public without a concealed weapon permit — to carry an exposed firearm.

Among some of the public establishments where

: Churches, banks, theaters, schools, courthouses, hospitals, daycare centers and sporting arenas.