MARYLAND Transit Authority Police Harass Open Carrier in VIRGINIA

DaveH · August 18th, 2009, 02:00 PM

Story from vagunforum.net via VCDL ALLERT, with comments from Philip Van Cleave <philip@virginiasystems.com> VCDL President

Quote:

MARYLAND Transit Authority Police Harass Open Carrier in VIRGINIA
Park!
**************************************************

Rick Sandlin, administrator of the Virginia Gun Owners Forum, describes an unusual and disturbing encounter with a Maryland Transit Authority (MTA) police officer while he was open carrying. What makes this so unusual is that it happened in Virginia.

If that Maryland officer had held a law-abiding gun owner in Virginia at gun point for doing nothing illegal, there would have been hell to pay (criminal charges and a civil suit). Luckily for the officer, he
didn't do it.

Talked to the cops today about OC : General Discussion • Virginia Gun Owners Forum

Rick Sandlin - vagunforum.net

So, I had some time to kill and went to the beach at the Potomac River where the Route 301 Nice Bridge crosses the river. Two kids in tow and my .38 special on my belt. We passed by a Maryland Transit Authority (MTA) car on the way to park at the beach and I thought nothing of it.

Parked the truck and we got out. The kids were looking for shells on the beach and I was wandering around with them. About 5 minutes later, I hear "Excuse me, Sir". I turned and there was the MTA deputy (or whatever they're called).

MTA: "May I see your handgun permit?"
Me: "I don't need a permit."
MTA: "And why don't you need a permit?"
Me: "I can open carry in Virginia without a permit - anyone who is legally allowed to own a firearm (no felonies, no domestic assault, etc), may carry a firearm openly in Virginia."

He let me know that he had called the local Sheriff's Office and that someone was on their way and I let him know that if he was going to sit on the Virginia side of the bridge that he should know the law. He asked me why I need to carry a gun, and I asked him why he needed to carry one. Well of course he needed one because he's a police officer and I need one because I never know what kind of freaky idiot I'm going to encounter at the scummy waters of the Potomac River.

The local deputy showed up and let the MTA guy know that I was within the law. Then they both let me know that I shouldn't be Open Carrying in the park unless I wanted to draw negative attention and that I should get a Concealed Handgun Permit. I told the county guy that I had one. When MTA guy heard that, he accused me of lying to him and telling him that I didn't have one when he asked me. I said "No, you asked to see my handgun permit, and I told you that I didn't need one to Open Carry my firearm". He pressed on that point again about me lying to him and I pressed back and he said he didn't want to argue about it.

Long story short, the local county deputy was really good about it and he let the Maryland guy know the law (which is exactly what I told him as well). The Maryland guy was pretty much a jerk about it all, essentially telling me that I shouldn't be carrying a gun in a park with my kids.

So, it was an exciting 15 minutes and my first discussion with police about my carrying of a firearm. I may have pressed the guy a little hard, but I knew he was outside his jurisdiction and that he clearly
didn't know the law. I'm glad the county deputy came and straightened it all out. Again, the deputy was really nice about everything.

Oh yeah, then after the deputy left, the MTA guy told me, "You know, when I came down here to check on you, instead of just asking to speak with you, I could have put pulled my gun and ordered you prone on the ground and put you in cuffs until the Sheriff's deputy got here." [PVC: That officer needs to be fired. His job is not to push his weight around from behind a badge and intimidate law-abiding citizens.]

I was good and kept my mouth shut about that one and just nodded my head.

I would love to know what, if any, joint/inter-jurisdictional agreement exist.

varob · August 18th, 2009, 02:18 PM

This is unreal. I can't believe this MTA guy.

HITCH KING · August 18th, 2009, 02:23 PM

You expect MTA to know the law? Maybe best know what time the trains rolls by.

ccw9mm · August 18th, 2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

"You know, when I came down here to check on you, instead of just asking to speak with you, I could have put pulled my gun and ordered you prone on the ground and put you in cuffs until the Sheriff's deputy got here."

If true, he's just another example of those who abuse the trust given with the badge. He should realize that instead of merely rolling over and taking it up the backside, upstanding citizens can have him removed for cause, for threatening citizens and abusing the authority of the position. He should keep in mind who he works for, and why, particularly if he's going to go saying such things. It'll catch up with him, at some point.

packinnova · August 18th, 2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Oh yeah, then after the deputy left, the MTA guy told me, "You know, when I came down here to check on you, instead of just asking to speak with you, I could have put pulled my gun and ordered you prone on the ground and put you in cuffs until the Sheriff's deputy got here." [PVC: That officer needs to be fired. His job is not to push his weight around from behind a badge and intimidate law-abiding citizens.]

...and the officer is glad no one like me showed up to rain on his parade...

What would happen if others armed in the area had shown up and noticed the commotion with a person in an invalid uniform ie not recognized as of this state or locality ordering around a VA citizen with children around at the point of his firearm... Can we say police impersonator...?
Before those from out of state comment, please remember we have had a LOT of those police impersonator types in VA in the past. So it tends to be in the back of my mind when someone in a uniform shows up and the uniform doesn't match anything the local leo's wear on a daily basis.

At the very least I'd be calling in to the local LE for a Police IMPERSONATOR holding a citizen at gunpoint. See how MR MTA likes that one.

shooterX · August 18th, 2009, 03:35 PM

What gave the MTA officer to do anything in VA, unbelievable the arrogance of some people!

Dal1Celt · August 18th, 2009, 04:07 PM

Every now and again, there are those very few people in Law Enforcement that think they are LAW INCARNATE (Judge Dredd types).

It is a rare occurrence, but they are out there.

I am not disrespecting any LEO's, so please leave your comments on topic.

We all know that this happens.

It wouldn't be as bad, if they knew the Laws.

mcp1810 · August 18th, 2009, 04:24 PM

You folks in Virginia need to be careful with Maryland authorities near the river. If the person in the encounter with the MTA officer stepped below the high water mark on the Virginia shore he would actually be in Maryland and subject to Maryland law.

DaveH · August 18th, 2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcp1810

You folks in Virginia need to be careful with Maryland authorities near the river. If the person in the encounter with the MTA officer stepped below the high water mark on the Virginia shore he would actually be in Maryland and subject to Maryland law.

Also, true of DC and Columbia Island DC See: GW Parkway in Virginia

mcp1810 · August 18th, 2009, 05:16 PM

Dave, you might want to make sure the folks on that other forum are aware of that little detail. The thing that has me concerned is

Quote:

The kids were looking for shells on the beach and I was wandering around with them.

Depending on where they were and what was going on with the tide at the time, he may easily have crossed that threshold without even knowing it. The case would be heard in a Maryland court by a Maryland judge who would in all likelyhood find him guilty of a weapons offense that may well cost him his permit or even get him listed as a prohibited person in NICS.

August 18th, 2009, 02:18 PM	#2
varob Distinguished Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,279	This is unreal. I can't believe this MTA guy. __________________ Don't believe what you hear and only half of what you see! -Tony Soprano

August 18th, 2009, 04:07 PM	#7
Dal1Celt VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,598	Every now and again, there are those very few people in Law Enforcement that think they are LAW INCARNATE (Judge Dredd types). It is a rare occurrence, but they are out there. I am not disrespecting any LEO's, so please leave your comments on topic. We all know that this happens. It wouldn't be as bad, if they knew the Laws. __________________ "Let's Go!" "All the way" "AIRBORNE!" "Without fear there can be no Courage!"

August 18th, 2009, 04:24 PM	#8
mcp1810 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,102	You folks in Virginia need to be careful with Maryland authorities near the river. If the person in the encounter with the MTA officer stepped below the high water mark on the Virginia shore he would actually be in Maryland and subject to Maryland law. __________________ Waiting on the research and verification.......

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August 18th, 2009, 02:23 PM	#3
HITCH KING Distinguished Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Nassau, NY(Long Island) Posts: 1,791	You expect MTA to know the law? Maybe best know what time the trains rolls by.

August 18th, 2009, 03:35 PM	#6
shooterX Distinguished Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,573	What gave the MTA officer to do anything in VA, unbelievable the arrogance of some people!