Open Carry Hassles...
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11,499 Posts
Well, I voted that I had been hassled by a LEO more often that civilian but that wasn't true before Monday.
In fact I'm not sure that really applied since the pin head cop who questioned me was doing so while off duty, out of his jurisdiction and in my driveway!
But still....
In fact I'm not sure that really applied since the pin head cop who questioned me was doing so while off duty, out of his jurisdiction and in my driveway!
But still....
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2,032 Posts
I don't open carry regularly but the couple negative responses I did receive were from an auto repair shop office worker and the Sporting Goods Manager at Wal-Mart.
The auto repair shop person had the nerve to call my house and talk to my Mother about me carrying a gun instead of talk to me directly. He didn't appreciate me bringing a gun into his shop, and threatened to call the cops next time I go in there carrying a gun. I no longer take my car there to be fixed! I wrote them a nice letter explaining I will no longer do business with them and gave them a copy of Alaska's gun laws.
The 2nd time I went to Wal-Mart to look for a new EDC knife because I thought I lost my old one. I was OCing my Glock 17 in a Serpa holster and while I was standing there looking at a Gerber knife, the department manager told me my gun had to be concealed inside the store. I told them open carry was legal in Alaska and they told me regardless I still had to conceal it. I was dumb enough to purchase the knife rather than walk out, and I was actually followed out of the store. I felt like I was being treated like a criminal. Anyway I found their corporate website and told them about what happened. I guess they forwarded the email to manager of the Wal-Mart store I was at because he called me the next day. He apologized for the way I was treated and told me I could continue to shop at his store. He also said Wal-Mart associates are not to say anything unless there is a complaint. I open carried there a few more times after that and haven't been confronted yet.
The auto repair shop person had the nerve to call my house and talk to my Mother about me carrying a gun instead of talk to me directly. He didn't appreciate me bringing a gun into his shop, and threatened to call the cops next time I go in there carrying a gun. I no longer take my car there to be fixed! I wrote them a nice letter explaining I will no longer do business with them and gave them a copy of Alaska's gun laws.
The 2nd time I went to Wal-Mart to look for a new EDC knife because I thought I lost my old one. I was OCing my Glock 17 in a Serpa holster and while I was standing there looking at a Gerber knife, the department manager told me my gun had to be concealed inside the store. I told them open carry was legal in Alaska and they told me regardless I still had to conceal it. I was dumb enough to purchase the knife rather than walk out, and I was actually followed out of the store. I felt like I was being treated like a criminal. Anyway I found their corporate website and told them about what happened. I guess they forwarded the email to manager of the Wal-Mart store I was at because he called me the next day. He apologized for the way I was treated and told me I could continue to shop at his store. He also said Wal-Mart associates are not to say anything unless there is a complaint. I open carried there a few more times after that and haven't been confronted yet.
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3,426 Posts
Nothing I would consider hassled yet. One trooper at an accident, 2 local LEO's in the pawn shop, one LEO evil eye drive by at same pawn shop. Security guard at walmart was cool. Closest thing was a smart comment by the clerk at autozone. Told me OC was "kinda" legal, I told him that was like being kinda pregnant. Either it is or it isn't. Lots of good conversations in stores and restaurants.
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113 Posts
I have been hassled a few times by civilians. One of them was actually applying for a job at my business (which is very pro-gun). I didn't actually bring it up at all, but he felt it necessary to inform me he wouldn't abide by any of the pro-gun policies. I told him he was not expected to start carrying a gun himself by any means, but that he should understand his future co-workers and various bosses could be armed (and moreso that some of them carry concealed so he shouldn't be surprised to discover somebody was carrying even if it looked like they weren't).
It went... poorly... he had to tell me all about how any area he'd work in would be a gun-free zone. (For both employees and customers!)
Still not sure why he applied in the first place He brought the firearms up, so he obviously knew about the general attitude of them at this business.
It went... poorly... he had to tell me all about how any area he'd work in would be a gun-free zone. (For both employees and customers!)
Still not sure why he applied in the first place
He brought the firearms up, so he obviously knew about the general attitude of them at this business.
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2,217 Posts
I voted I've never been hastled. I oc When I go out of town. Had some looks, but not a word said.
Can I presume the fellow in question didn't get hired?
I've interviewed a couple of folks who, during the interview, informed me of the conditions under which they would only work. Didn't hire any of them.
I've been hassled once by LEO in response to a MWAG call. That incident, however, turned out to be a learning experience for the police department and established a good relationship with the restaurant it happened at.
Ooops, I forgot about a slight hassle from Seattle PD in a Seattle city park, we know who caused that and he is on his way out of office!
So, I guess it's really been about 50/50 cops and civilians.
The biggest hassle I've gotten from a civilian was a concealed carrier who wanted to let me know how much better he was than me because I didn't hide my gun.
I've had one other, somewhat hassle, by a civilian who approached me and obviously had a negative attitude, but I think I answered his questions intelligently and maybe he went away feeling better.
And a "loss prevention" guy in Walmart, he was just an idiot.
I've had at least 3 times as many positive experiences due to my open carry, though.
Ooops, I forgot about a slight hassle from Seattle PD in a Seattle city park, we know who caused that and he is on his way out of office!
So, I guess it's really been about 50/50 cops and civilians.
The biggest hassle I've gotten from a civilian was a concealed carrier who wanted to let me know how much better he was than me because I didn't hide my gun.
I've had one other, somewhat hassle, by a civilian who approached me and obviously had a negative attitude, but I think I answered his questions intelligently and maybe he went away feeling better.
And a "loss prevention" guy in Walmart, he was just an idiot.
I've had at least 3 times as many positive experiences due to my open carry, though.
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24,447 Posts
I have limited OC experience in as much as I prefer CC, but to the extent I have OC'd here in Colorado, I have garnered no more than civilian looks. NO hassles yet.
Denver ain't on my itinerary to OC.
Denver ain't on my itinerary to OC.
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144,028 Posts
You need to remember that in some areas it is mandatory for Police AKA it is required by local (county, city, borough) laws for Police to investigate all "Man With A Gun" calls even though the State may allow/permit Open Carry.
So if a nincompoop Sheeple citizen calls 911 and reports a "Man With A Gun" - Law Enforcement responds and investigates as they are required to do by law.
So in reality they are not "hassling" the person that is carrying "Open" - they are doing their job as law enforcement.
It IS a senseless Catch 22 "screw up" in the laws as they are on the books.
So...(in many instances) the Police are not "hassling" the individual that is open carrying, they are following the letter of the law...until such time as the "law-makers" AKA our "brilliant" elected officials change the law to reflect and not conflict with State law.
Just FYI.
So if a nincompoop Sheeple citizen calls 911 and reports a "Man With A Gun" - Law Enforcement responds and investigates as they are required to do by law.
So in reality they are not "hassling" the person that is carrying "Open" - they are doing their job as law enforcement.
It IS a senseless Catch 22 "screw up" in the laws as they are on the books.
So...(in many instances) the Police are not "hassling" the individual that is open carrying, they are following the letter of the law...until such time as the "law-makers" AKA our "brilliant" elected officials change the law to reflect and not conflict with State law.
Just FYI.
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192 Posts
True. But just asking a simple question or two isn't hassling. It's when they give you a hard time about it that it should be considered hassling. LEOs can do their jobs without being dorks about it. :yup:
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574 Posts
Geez, where in Michigan do I have to go to apply for a job where most if not all the people who work there, pack?I have been hassled a few times by civilians. One of them was actually applying for a job at my business (which is very pro-gun). I didn't actually bring it up at all, but he felt it necessary to inform me he wouldn't abide by any of the pro-gun policies. I told him he was not expected to start carrying a gun himself by any means, but that he should understand his future co-workers and various bosses could be armed (and moreso that some of them carry concealed so he shouldn't be surprised to discover somebody was carrying even if it looked like they weren't).
It went... poorly... he had to tell me all about how any area he'd work in would be a gun-free zone. (For both employees and customers!)
Still not sure why he applied in the first place
Oh, and have never been hassled by police or civilians for OCing. Have gotten some questions like, "What model is that?" or "Nice piece." and other things along those lines.
got hassled once in Colorado - (was out there interning with a District Court Judge) and spending time with my parents and one of the locals asked me why I was acting all cowboy walking around wearing a gun?
I explained that since I was from Ohio, and CO and OH did not reciprocate on CHLs that I had no other choice but to OC.
He then proceeded to expose his concealed firearm, and said he did not have a license and that he still hid his... I distinctly remember the sound coming from Dad, and the surprised look on this guys face as Dad offered him a ride to his office... so that the Sheriff could sort it out... (Dad had just semi-retired and was currently assigned to court security).
:twak:
I explained that since I was from Ohio, and CO and OH did not reciprocate on CHLs that I had no other choice but to OC.
He then proceeded to expose his concealed firearm, and said he did not have a license and that he still hid his... I distinctly remember the sound coming from Dad, and the surprised look on this guys face as Dad offered him a ride to his office... so that the Sheriff could sort it out... (Dad had just semi-retired and was currently assigned to court security).
:twak:
HOWEVER, that "investigation" only needs to be the cops showing up at the scene, observing an individual open carrying in a holster, with no indication of any illegal activity. Until the police observe something reasonably suspicious of a crime being committed - and lawful carrying of a firearm is NOT reasonable suspicion - any action beyond that which could reasonably be considered by an ordinary citizen to become a detainment is against the 4th amendment. Especially if they remove the person's gun for "officer safety" or require the individual to produce identification or check the serial number of the gun to verify it not stolen.
These actions have been ruled by several courts, including now a Federal court resulting in a $21,000 settlement, to be unconstitutional and a violation of individual rights.
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144,028 Posts
"True. But just asking a simple question or two isn't hassling. It's when they give you a hard time about it that it should be considered hassling. LEOs can do their jobs without being dorks about it."
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"HOWEVER, that "investigation" only needs to be the cops showing up at the scene, observing an individual open carrying in a holster, with no indication of any illegal activity. Until the police observe something reasonably suspicious of a crime being committed - and lawful carrying of a firearm is NOT reasonable suspicion - any action beyond that which could reasonably be considered by an ordinary citizen to become a detainment is against the 4th amendment. Especially if they remove the person's gun for "officer safety" or require the individual to produce identification or check the serial number of the gun to verify it not stolen."
These actions have been ruled by several courts, including now a Federal court resulting in a $21,000 settlement, to be unconstitutional and a violation of individual rights.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No argument from me on either of the two (above) well versed replies.
I just needed to clarify that there are locations like Pittsburgh where the local laws are directly conflicting with the PA State Constitution.
Which states:
The Right Of The People To Keep & Bear Arms In Defense Of Themselves And The State Shall Not Be Questioned.
But, I needed to mention that PA. Law Enforcement cannot be faulted for responding to a "Man With A Gun" call when some moronic idiot "drops a dime" to 911.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"HOWEVER, that "investigation" only needs to be the cops showing up at the scene, observing an individual open carrying in a holster, with no indication of any illegal activity. Until the police observe something reasonably suspicious of a crime being committed - and lawful carrying of a firearm is NOT reasonable suspicion - any action beyond that which could reasonably be considered by an ordinary citizen to become a detainment is against the 4th amendment. Especially if they remove the person's gun for "officer safety" or require the individual to produce identification or check the serial number of the gun to verify it not stolen."
These actions have been ruled by several courts, including now a Federal court resulting in a $21,000 settlement, to be unconstitutional and a violation of individual rights.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No argument from me on either of the two (above) well versed replies.
I just needed to clarify that there are locations like Pittsburgh where the local laws are directly conflicting with the PA State Constitution.
Which states:
The Right Of The People To Keep & Bear Arms In Defense Of Themselves And The State Shall Not Be Questioned.
But, I needed to mention that PA. Law Enforcement cannot be faulted for responding to a "Man With A Gun" call when some moronic idiot "drops a dime" to 911.
GeorgiaCarry.Org Inc. Letter to the Glynn County Chief regarding firearm carry harassment
harassment/\ towards me
harassment/\ towards me
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