M-Taliesin
Regular Member
Howdy Folks!
For the past 10 or 15 days, I seem to be attracting cops like June bugs.
Today was the best encounter yet.
Cops, private investigators and folks like myself (bounty hunters) use certain data bases that are not available to the average citizen.
Through such data bases; we can run license plate numbers, get information about an individual's criminal record, any civil court records, addresses they've lived at, current address, phone numbers (including cellular and unlisted), and a whole bunch of other information necessary to an investigation when trying to track down a fugitive or defendant trying to avoid due process. The reason I mention this is because I needed to subscribe to one of those data bases that I don't yet access. They sent me an application, require that I provide certifications and business licenses, along with other documentation to prove that I have authority to access this data for appropriate investigatory purposes.
So, because I needed some documentation from the City of Aurora, I headed over there to get documentation on my business license.
Now the municipal complex at Aurora has several buildings and I wasn't sure which one I'd need to visit. After putting my 1911 in the glove box and locking up the Jeep, I headed toward the nearest building just as a cop came from it. "Hey officer. I'm wondering if you can tell me which of these buildings I need to visit for business licenses?"
"You're headed in the right direction" he said. "Just inside to the left on the first floor!"
"Thanks! I sure appreciate your help!"
He looked down at the empty serpa on my belt and asked "You concealed carry?"
"Well, not at the moment. I left my sidearm in the car." I replied. "While I do have a CCW, I prefer open carry!"
"That's what I prefer as well." he responded. "I'd personally like to see more citizens open carry. It sends a message to the bad guys."
"Wow," I said in astonishment. "I feel the same way. Besides, when something comes up, that second or two trying to get at a sidearm through covering clothing can cost a life! And yeah, I always figure the bad guy will see my sidearm and decide NOT to do anything for fear that I'd shoot his butt. Bad guys aren't all that courageous and prefer to set upon folks unlikely to put up a fight!"
"Exactly!" he replied. "And maybe take their criminal activity somewhere else. Have you been hassled?"
"No." I replied honestly. "Aurora cops are pretty well aware that open carry is legal and I haven't really been bothered."
"Good." he said. "Sometimes they'll check folks out who they don't know to OC. Folks who we know are prone to OC we get to know and leave them alone."
"Well, think about it. How many bad guys feel confident enough to OC to start with? Like I said, bad guys ain't particularly courageous. Me, I'm one of those law abiding sort of citizens!"
He chuckled and said again "We need more law abiding citizens to take up self defense and carry as you do!"
The officer laughed and I thanked him again for pointing out where the business license office was and we parted company.
Looking back, I'd have liked to chat with him more but when you're about to tangle with government folks, even at the municipal level, a guy tends to get distracted by the encounter with the bureaucratic system more than a chance meeting with an LEO.
But I am proud that this particular officer seemed very approving of OC in Aurora, and I'm sure we'll meet up again sometime.
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
For the past 10 or 15 days, I seem to be attracting cops like June bugs.
Today was the best encounter yet.
Cops, private investigators and folks like myself (bounty hunters) use certain data bases that are not available to the average citizen.
Through such data bases; we can run license plate numbers, get information about an individual's criminal record, any civil court records, addresses they've lived at, current address, phone numbers (including cellular and unlisted), and a whole bunch of other information necessary to an investigation when trying to track down a fugitive or defendant trying to avoid due process. The reason I mention this is because I needed to subscribe to one of those data bases that I don't yet access. They sent me an application, require that I provide certifications and business licenses, along with other documentation to prove that I have authority to access this data for appropriate investigatory purposes.
So, because I needed some documentation from the City of Aurora, I headed over there to get documentation on my business license.
Now the municipal complex at Aurora has several buildings and I wasn't sure which one I'd need to visit. After putting my 1911 in the glove box and locking up the Jeep, I headed toward the nearest building just as a cop came from it. "Hey officer. I'm wondering if you can tell me which of these buildings I need to visit for business licenses?"
"You're headed in the right direction" he said. "Just inside to the left on the first floor!"
"Thanks! I sure appreciate your help!"
He looked down at the empty serpa on my belt and asked "You concealed carry?"
"Well, not at the moment. I left my sidearm in the car." I replied. "While I do have a CCW, I prefer open carry!"
"That's what I prefer as well." he responded. "I'd personally like to see more citizens open carry. It sends a message to the bad guys."
"Wow," I said in astonishment. "I feel the same way. Besides, when something comes up, that second or two trying to get at a sidearm through covering clothing can cost a life! And yeah, I always figure the bad guy will see my sidearm and decide NOT to do anything for fear that I'd shoot his butt. Bad guys aren't all that courageous and prefer to set upon folks unlikely to put up a fight!"
"Exactly!" he replied. "And maybe take their criminal activity somewhere else. Have you been hassled?"
"No." I replied honestly. "Aurora cops are pretty well aware that open carry is legal and I haven't really been bothered."
"Good." he said. "Sometimes they'll check folks out who they don't know to OC. Folks who we know are prone to OC we get to know and leave them alone."
"Well, think about it. How many bad guys feel confident enough to OC to start with? Like I said, bad guys ain't particularly courageous. Me, I'm one of those law abiding sort of citizens!"
He chuckled and said again "We need more law abiding citizens to take up self defense and carry as you do!"
The officer laughed and I thanked him again for pointing out where the business license office was and we parted company.
Looking back, I'd have liked to chat with him more but when you're about to tangle with government folks, even at the municipal level, a guy tends to get distracted by the encounter with the bureaucratic system more than a chance meeting with an LEO.
But I am proud that this particular officer seemed very approving of OC in Aurora, and I'm sure we'll meet up again sometime.
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
