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Open Carry and Becoming a Police Officer

Ballistic Otters

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2012
Messages
23
Hey everyone! First post here on OpenCarry.org after a lot of lurking.

I live in Farmington, Maine, and I'm one of three people who OC in the town. I get stopped every now and again due to "man with a gun" calls, even though most people are pretty good about it.

I've always had a desire to eventually become a LEO, and a Sheriffs' deputy I know told me that Open Carry would all but shatter that pipe dream of mine. According to the officer, when they do the background check, the hiring agency likes to contact the Police Department in your town, and being known as a proponent of OC would likely result in my not being hired. Can anyone shed some light on whether or not this guy was speaking legitimately? If so, what the hell is wrong with the world?

Thanks,

John
 

skidmark

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
10,444
Location
Valhalla
Has that deputy suggested that your history of driving a car, or of writing, or even eating donuts, will stand in the way of becoming a LEO? Those are all skillsets that LEOs need to be proficient in.

Or is the deputy trying to suggest that the police in your town would report you as a "troublemaker" or "unsavory character" or even "a dangerous person" because you are known to them as someone who exercises their right to OC?

So you are/have been the subject of MWAG calls. Have the responding officers discovered you committing any violation of the law when OCing?

Or is the deputy trying to use your known desire to become a LEO as leverage to impose his personal opinion about OC and those that are secure enough in themself to make you want to change your ways? If that's what he is doing, or you just think it is what he's doing, it deserves a formal complaint to his Sheriff and the Internal Affairs section of his department. Deputy sheriffs should not engage in attempts to intimidate citizens.

And that's what is wrong with the world regarding this situation. He's trying to intimidate you into not only changing your behavior but into abdicating your right to lawfully OC.

stay safe.

PS - please excuse my lapse in manners. Welcome to OCDO!
 
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Ballistic Otters

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2012
Messages
23
Thank you!

Thanks a lot for your response! I got the inkling that he might be trying to intimidate me into not carrying, but wasn't quite sure. I've never been found doing anything illegal while carrying, and have a pretty good reputation with the community and the local LE agencies. Thanks for welcoming me!

John
 

sudden valley gunner

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2008
Messages
16,674
Location
Whatcom County
Your acquaintance may have some points that may influence the departments hiring of you. But who cares, go for it. We need LEO who respect individual rights.

And Good luck! (sincerely not meant as sarcasm)
 

DocWalker

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
1,922
Location
Mountain Home, Idaho, USA
It is funny the deputy said OCing legally as a non-LEO can keep you from OCing (as in police officer wearing a sidearm) as part of your duties. One would think that the department would like to have people that up hold the US Contitution.....but then again the goverment to include local goverments are moving away into dictatorships.
 
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