Strike said:
He reached through the window and disarmed me.
He placed my firearm inside his jacket.
So he probably pointed the gun at you, and maybe even your valuable bits,
then tucked this loaded gun
unholstered (I'm assuming) into his jacket... which probably wouldn't prevent it from falling out the bottom, or getting the trigger caught on something inside & shooting who knows where.
Very very
BAD unsafe practices.
The department training officer (& this guy's supervisors) should be aware that he needs more training.
I agree with not rolling the window down more than necessary, & with keeping your mouth shut. (In general when on the receiving end of unfriendly attention by LEO, & specifically about being armed. If your state requires it by law, you have to make your own decision.)
He placed my firearm on the hood of my vehicle and said I could retrieve it once he pulled away.
Scratched the paint, didn't it?
Include that in your letter of complaint, along with estimates for repair.
Citizen said:
I've seen too many of these posts where citizens are subjected to fishing expeditions, had their rights or dignity or both crapped on, and then think things went well.
But the officer was so
nice...
And he didn't throw me on the ground & handcuff me, so I got off light.
I got my gun & ammo back once they left (after running the serial number).
I'm sure it was all done for officer safety.
[/sarcasm]
he could have just told you so without the entrapment question about knowing why he stopped you
The only time I've gotten this question (probably 8 years ago) I answered "you're supposed to tell me".
MSG Laigaie said:
for some estrogenic reason that I will never understand, she accelerated into the turn.
If she really knows how to drive, that has nothing to do with hormones.
Trying to brake in a turn is bad physics. You're taking a finite amout of traction & spreading it over 2 functions - cornering & braking - making it more likely that one or the other, maybe both, will be done poorly.
On a motorcycle that can be really painful.
By accelerating, even slightly, into the turn you're using all the traction for cornering & you have better steering control too.
That being said, it's better to slow down slightly before the turn, so you can come out the other end at something resembling the posted speed limit, esp. if you suspect there might be a revenue agent around.
amlevin said:
Sometimes it's a lot easier to just not be an @-hole, get the stop over with, and if you feel the officer was out of line, file a complaint.
Why is it that citizens standing up for their rights against infringing gov't agents are the ones being called names, instead of those gov't agents who are breaking the law (& potentially their oath)?
twoskinsonemanns said:
Not just sometimes. All the time. It is always easier to "pay the bully your lunch money" than fight it.
Then the bully thinks that he can get away with it, & will do the same thing again & again, to you & to other people. Complaining to the teacher doesn't work 'cause it's not an immediate enough punishment for the bad behaviour, & because the teacher can't watch all the bullies all the time. (Of course, if the bully goes so far as to get physical, then there are more serious punishments, which might make an impression & alter the behaviour.)
prostrate once in a while when commanded to and you'll be allowed to keep on
And when it becomes mandatory upon seeing any gov't agent, what then?
Stop the problem while it's still possible. Don't let it get any worse.
MSG Laigaie said:
MLK said:
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort & convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge & controversy.
