We saw Kevin Valencia and his friend sitting in front of American Apparel on East University Boulevard.

Wildcat: Hi, I’m from the student paper, the Wildcat, and I was wondering if I could interview you.

(Friend): Sure.

W: OK, I’m going to take your picture.

(Friend): Wait, are you going to pay me?

W: What? No.

(Friend): No way. This is my person, and I’ve had a rough day. Fifteen-year-olds and 16-year-olds here, and you want to put something in the paper. Put that one in the paper! Otherwise, you can leave us alone.

W: I can leave. It’s OK.

Valencia: No, I can do it. It’s OK.

W: Is that OK?

V: I can do it.

W: I just don’t want him to get mad at me.

(Friend): I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at the minuteman at work. You want to put something in the paper, I’ll get mad at you. Fifteen and 16-year- olds, I’ve got a 45 mag in the trunk…

W: Yeah.

V: Don’t mind him.

W: OK, I’m going to take your picture. What’s your name?

V: Kevin Valencia.

W: Well I was just walking around, and, what are you doing on University?

V: Waiting for somebody.

W: I don’t want to be intrusive.

V: You’re not intrusive.

W: How come you’re in an army suit? Are you in the Air Force?

V: No.

W: Do you just … like to … dress up?

V: Yeah, for the hell of it.

W: Yeah, I do that too a lot. Um, where did you get it?

V: Savers.

W: Oh really, the entire thing?

V: Yeah.

W: It’s really cool. Are you allowed to carry a gun?

V: Yeah.

W: How can you get a permit?

V: To get a permit, you have to be between 18 and 21. Eighteen you can carry a shotgun. Twenty-one you can carry a pistol like mine.

W: Cool. So what do you do during the day? Do you just hang out and go to University?

V: Hang out with friends.

– interview by Andi Berlin