Skygod

First, I have to admit that I am not an open carry guy and I'm not that fond of it for personal and professional reasons, but that's another story for another time.

Back during the month of June I woke up at 0330 and discovered that I was out of cigarettes. If your smoker then you know that this situation is akin to not having oxygen when you try to breath. (Nasty habit, I know)

In short I had a pair of 5.11 cargos with a Safariland 6004 drop leg holster still saddled on the riggers belt that was still in the pants (1911 with two mag pouch on the leg shroud). I simply put them on and threw the leg straps around my thigh and put on my boots and a t-shirt and shoved the 1911 into the holster and drove up the street to the all night BP station.

Of course there was the usual late night city police cruiser in the lot and the officer sipping coffee inside killing time with the attendant at the register. When I walked in I saw his eyes light up. I asked for a pack of Camel Lights in a box and began to pay for them when the officer say's "Are you in law enforecment?" To which I respond "No sir, just exercising my state constitutional right to openly carry a firearm for my own personal protection"

With that said I walked out the door to my car. I noticed the officer on his radio as I was starting the car. Wouldn't ya know it, two officers suddenly come up on my rear bumper and follow me all the way to the damn door of house.

I suppose the moral of the story is.............................exercise your right to open carry, but be ready for some harrassment and or even a false arrest.

I suppose the "Tactical Rig" didn't help matters much, but nothing say's you can't have your firearm strapped to your leg instead of your waist.

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Perhaps your sole purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

DarylW

I'll add, "in Kentucky". If you were in Arizona, the LEO likely wouldn't have given you a second glance. I open carry every day, and have never had a LEO do anything other than casual conversation.

A lot of the panic is regional in my experience. Some areas you get it, some you don't. Firearms are a common sight here in the border country of Arizona.

BTW-If one asked if I was an LEO, I'd have just said "No". The LEO's here are well aware of the laws and practice of open carry by citizens.

Daryl

Skygod

Yes, In Kentucky, especially here in the northern part of the state.

Your correct that it is a regional thing. If the LEO's don't see it much they tend to act out as if they've got a duty to inspect your reasons for carrying.

LEO"s around here also like to confiscate firearms. Most are never returned via a plea deal of some sort. So, in other words, they drop the charges if you give up the gun.

It's beyond me how they get away with this, since it's clearly a constitutional right, but I've seen it happen to two people.

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Perhaps your sole purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

SIGguy229

In Virginia...hardly a problem. VCDL and its members see to that.

Been OCing all day today--Home Depot, county dump, Subway, grocery store...no problems

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Sacrifice: Congress thinks having to stay late to vote is sacrifice. Ask the Sailor, Soldier, Airman, or Marine meeting his child for the first time what sacrifice means

martyr is a fancy name for crappy fighter

automatic slim

I wish someone would arrest me for open carry, I need the money.

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Edge of Darkness

kpw

That's what lawyers are for. Hate the thought of suing a PD but sometimes that might be what it takes to stop illegal actions. After a few lawsuits, the harrassment will decline.

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"In a republic this rule ought to be observed: that the majority should not have the predominant power." -
-- Marcus Tullius Cicero

DarylW

Sounds like a pretty sweet deal they have there. See someone with a gun, take the gun and make a trumped up charge to charge them with.

Then offer to drop the trumped up charge, and keep the firearm for your trouble. Sweet, but it's illegal. I doubt I'd take the deal, and I'd push for at least false arrest and illegal confiscation of property.

And I might not win, but I'd surely fight.

;)

Daryl

Skygod

Yes, it's a sweet deal for the officers. I've been witness to two events tht lead to the confiscation, permantley of the firearm. The first one was Colt MkIV Series 70 1911 and the other an H&K USP .40 S&W.

I'm guessing, it's a just a thought, but those officers now have those firearms in their own personal collection. It's just guess ya know.

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Perhaps your sole purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

DarylW

Of course! We'd never accuse our fine men in blue (or brown, whichever the case) of being dishonest.

Of course, it would be pretty easy for them to make sure it wasn't in the computer as stolen, with them having access to it and all, if they DID do that.

But they wouldn't do that, of course, and I'd not suggest such a thing.

Sorta reminds me of the one about the officer who pulled over a cowboy for speeding.

The officer was filling out a ticket, and was having some trouble with the flies buzzing around his head. The cowboy said, "You're having a bit of trouble with those circle flies, arn't you?". The LEO said yes, and the cowboy continued, "You know, we call them circle flies because we usually see them circling around a horse's behind". Then the officer asked him "Are you implying something?", to which the cowboy said, "OH, NO sir! I wouldn't say such a thing about a fine, upstanding fella like you!"

So the officer relaxed, and the cowboy continued, "Ya can't fool them flies, though!"

Just like that cowboy, I'd not make such an implication...unless it was MY gun he had in his collection...err...allegedly?

Daryl

varob

See even the cops think smokein's a bad habit

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