RENO, Nevada, Oct. 3, 2007 (NBC) -- A controversy over the proper display of the American flag came to a head Monday as cameras were rolling.

It began when a store in Reno, Nevada hung a Mexican flag above an American flag.

That's illegal.

While a photographer from NBC affiliate KRNV was outside the business, an angry man claiming to be a veteran walked up to the flagpole and cut down both flags with a large knife.

The owner of the business is an American citizen and said he didn't know what he was doing was against the law.

He said he had bought the flags last week to replace old ones, and he put the Mexican flag on top to support the Hispanic community.

In addition to the law saying no flag can be flown above the American flag, if you fly two country's flags they must be on different poles and they must be similar in size and height.


Guy's name is Jim Brossard and he is a real AMERICAN HERO! The citizen of this country have got to stand up for ourselves because our lily spined government will not.

HERO IN MY BOOK

How big was the flag pole? Did the guy climb up it, pull out a knife and cut both down? I think I'm too tired, its bed time now O_o

Its high time someone did something. He is a vet so he has the right to stop our country and flag from being **** on.

It's illegal for a citizen to take the law into their own hands and be the judge, jury, and executioner of the law isn't it?

As far as I can see that’s “mob mentality” even if it was the act of a single individual.

The first thing that should have been done should have been to simply inform the business owner (politely) that what he had done was illegal. If it was an honest mistake that may have solved the whole problem right there.

If the business owner refused to acknowledge the law then the situation should have simply been reported to the proper authorities.

For a citizen to take it upon himself to cut down the flags is just plain wrong.

Two wrongs, don’t make a right!

"Its high time someone did something. He is a vet so he has the right to stop our country and flag from being **** on."

He has the right to report the offense to the proper authorities. He does NOT have the right to take matters into his own hands.

Hoooah, thats what I am talking about. Hero in my book! Abra... I would do the same anyday!

Abra is cool, calm and collected; thinking straight. Two rights do not make a wrong. But we must take a stand.