WhistlingJack
Regular Member
Been lurking on these forums for awhile, decided I would join. After reading some other stories from users here, I figured I would share the story of an encounter I had with the Louisville LEO's.
Preface: I open carry regularly, and while officers have seen me armed multiple times, the following incident is the only time an officer has said anything to me, let alone created a negative encounter.
There is a particular Thorton's I visit literally every workweek, on my way in I stop there to pick up an energy drink (I hate coffee), and some water. I don't know what free stuff LEO's get there, but there is always 2-6 LEO's in this Thorton's during the day (less so at night). It is generally the same officers, I see them enough to know their faces. Well on this particular day a few weeks ago there were some new faces.
As I enter the door I notice this one officer watching me, now this officer couldn't have been on the force for a year, looked like he was 12-years old. He continues to glare at me as I get my drinks, then go to wait in line. After I pay I go to leave, and this young officer proceeds to step in front of me so that I nearly collided with him. (Not too smart as I had to have at least a hundred pounds on him.)
He then says "Sir, show me your concealed carry permit."
I answered "I do not have a CCW officer."
Him: "Well you can't have a gun without one."
Me: "With respect you are mistaken, I do not require any sort of permit to own a weapon in this state, and as I am open carrying I do not require a permit."
At this point the other three officers in that day are largely ignoring us.
Him: "Well you're brandishing a weapon."
Me: "No, Officer, its in its holster on my belt, I am not brandishing anything."
Him: "Why are you carrying it?"
Me: "Personal defense."
Him: "Why, is someone after you?"
Me: "No Officer, I appreciate your concern but no one is after me that I know of, and I do not require assistance obtaining an EPO."
Him: "So, you're just looking for trouble?"
This was the point where I really started to get annoyed.
Me: "No Officer, I'm not looking for trouble, but trouble has been known to go looking for people who are minding their own business."
Him: "Show me your ID."
Me: "No, Officer, normally I would to be cooperative, but with your garrish behavior, I'm not inclined to do so."
By this point everyone but the other three cops is watching us.
He then proceeds to take a step toward me while reaching for my gun saying "I'm going to take this off of you."
I took a step back (and I assume it was our movement that finally caught the attention of the other cops.)
Me: "No Officer, I don't think so."
Him: "Excuse me?" (He puts his hand on his gun.)
Me: "Unless I am under arrest, I have no intention of letting you seize my property.
Him: "Well Sir, since you won't show me your ID I have to take it from you, for all I know you're a felon walking around here with a gun and I have to make sure."
Me: "Officer, with respect, people with ill-intent don't walk around with their weapon out for people to see. Now unless I am under arrest, I need to get to work."
As I try to step to the side he steps in my way and gets in my face. (I guess he thought someone 5 inches shorter and a hundred pounds lighter could be intimidating.)
Him: "Would you like me to arrest you?"
Me: "Somehow I don't think your service jacket is thick enough to eat the complaint I'll be filing against you."
At this point his face is blood-red, and anyone watching can clearly tell which of the two of us is the hostile party.
Him: "You won't surrender your weapon, and you won't show me your ID. What do you think is doing to happen?"
Me: "I think you're trying to intimidate me, and I don't appreciate it."
Him: "Sir, I just dont' understand why you're walking around with a handgun."
Me: "Because if I walked in here with my rifle, I could start a panic."
At this point I already figure I'm getting arrested, especially when an older officer comes over. To my surprise he holds out his arm and steps between us. The older officer then looks at me and says...
"Sir, I apologize for your being delayed, please be on your way."
Him: "He's carrying a gun."
Veteran Officer: "He's not breaking any law, and you're bordering on harassment." ::looks at me again:: "Have a nice day Sir."
I took that as my cue to get the hell out of there. I admit I could have handled this better, but simple text does not sufficiently communicate how hostile this cop was being. I have an issue with officer's who think owning a badge is an exemption from behaving with civility toward others. I do however appreciate the veteran officer reigning in the rookie who was obviously still on that fresh-badge power trip.
I bring this situation up solely to point out this is the ONLY negative incident I've had with any Louisville LEO, and when it happened a more veteran officer settled it politely upon taking note of the situation.
Preface: I open carry regularly, and while officers have seen me armed multiple times, the following incident is the only time an officer has said anything to me, let alone created a negative encounter.
There is a particular Thorton's I visit literally every workweek, on my way in I stop there to pick up an energy drink (I hate coffee), and some water. I don't know what free stuff LEO's get there, but there is always 2-6 LEO's in this Thorton's during the day (less so at night). It is generally the same officers, I see them enough to know their faces. Well on this particular day a few weeks ago there were some new faces.
As I enter the door I notice this one officer watching me, now this officer couldn't have been on the force for a year, looked like he was 12-years old. He continues to glare at me as I get my drinks, then go to wait in line. After I pay I go to leave, and this young officer proceeds to step in front of me so that I nearly collided with him. (Not too smart as I had to have at least a hundred pounds on him.)
He then says "Sir, show me your concealed carry permit."
I answered "I do not have a CCW officer."
Him: "Well you can't have a gun without one."
Me: "With respect you are mistaken, I do not require any sort of permit to own a weapon in this state, and as I am open carrying I do not require a permit."
At this point the other three officers in that day are largely ignoring us.
Him: "Well you're brandishing a weapon."
Me: "No, Officer, its in its holster on my belt, I am not brandishing anything."
Him: "Why are you carrying it?"
Me: "Personal defense."
Him: "Why, is someone after you?"
Me: "No Officer, I appreciate your concern but no one is after me that I know of, and I do not require assistance obtaining an EPO."
Him: "So, you're just looking for trouble?"
This was the point where I really started to get annoyed.
Me: "No Officer, I'm not looking for trouble, but trouble has been known to go looking for people who are minding their own business."
Him: "Show me your ID."
Me: "No, Officer, normally I would to be cooperative, but with your garrish behavior, I'm not inclined to do so."
By this point everyone but the other three cops is watching us.
He then proceeds to take a step toward me while reaching for my gun saying "I'm going to take this off of you."
I took a step back (and I assume it was our movement that finally caught the attention of the other cops.)
Me: "No Officer, I don't think so."
Him: "Excuse me?" (He puts his hand on his gun.)
Me: "Unless I am under arrest, I have no intention of letting you seize my property.
Him: "Well Sir, since you won't show me your ID I have to take it from you, for all I know you're a felon walking around here with a gun and I have to make sure."
Me: "Officer, with respect, people with ill-intent don't walk around with their weapon out for people to see. Now unless I am under arrest, I need to get to work."
As I try to step to the side he steps in my way and gets in my face. (I guess he thought someone 5 inches shorter and a hundred pounds lighter could be intimidating.)
Him: "Would you like me to arrest you?"
Me: "Somehow I don't think your service jacket is thick enough to eat the complaint I'll be filing against you."
At this point his face is blood-red, and anyone watching can clearly tell which of the two of us is the hostile party.
Him: "You won't surrender your weapon, and you won't show me your ID. What do you think is doing to happen?"
Me: "I think you're trying to intimidate me, and I don't appreciate it."
Him: "Sir, I just dont' understand why you're walking around with a handgun."
Me: "Because if I walked in here with my rifle, I could start a panic."
At this point I already figure I'm getting arrested, especially when an older officer comes over. To my surprise he holds out his arm and steps between us. The older officer then looks at me and says...
"Sir, I apologize for your being delayed, please be on your way."
Him: "He's carrying a gun."
Veteran Officer: "He's not breaking any law, and you're bordering on harassment." ::looks at me again:: "Have a nice day Sir."
I took that as my cue to get the hell out of there. I admit I could have handled this better, but simple text does not sufficiently communicate how hostile this cop was being. I have an issue with officer's who think owning a badge is an exemption from behaving with civility toward others. I do however appreciate the veteran officer reigning in the rookie who was obviously still on that fresh-badge power trip.
I bring this situation up solely to point out this is the ONLY negative incident I've had with any Louisville LEO, and when it happened a more veteran officer settled it politely upon taking note of the situation.