sraacke
Regular Member
As the current President of La Open Carry Awareness League and a member since LOCAL was founded in 2009 I am very interested in this incident.
Our organization has worked for several years on getting the word out about the legal right to open carry firearms in Louisiana. We have sent mailers to just about every agency in the state which has armed officers or agents. From all 64 Sheriffs to town Marshals and Constables we have put the word out. From Game Warden to the State Fire Marshal. The deputies have no excuse not to be informed about the legal right to open carry. There was no excuse for the detainment nor should store management been involved by the deputy unless there was a valid complaint from a customer of a person acting in a dangerous or irresponsible manner with a firearm. From your description of the events it's clear you were not there causing any alarm or acting in a manner to cause the management to assume you had any intention of robbing the store.
What is really disturbing is the dismissive and condescending attitude of the Supervisor you spoke to at the Sheriff's Department who stated "I know the games you open carriers play". What the heck?!? We aren't playing any games with anyone. We are going about our daily errands while legally carrying a means to protect ourselves and our loved ones while in public. To make such a assuming statement to you is disrespectful and indicates that the rank and file deputies are mimicking the attitudes of their superior officers which is certainly negative toward the legal practice of open carry. Further discussion with them would seem a waste of your time.
Follow the advice of your lawyer. Let us know how it plays out when you are able.
Our organization has worked for several years on getting the word out about the legal right to open carry firearms in Louisiana. We have sent mailers to just about every agency in the state which has armed officers or agents. From all 64 Sheriffs to town Marshals and Constables we have put the word out. From Game Warden to the State Fire Marshal. The deputies have no excuse not to be informed about the legal right to open carry. There was no excuse for the detainment nor should store management been involved by the deputy unless there was a valid complaint from a customer of a person acting in a dangerous or irresponsible manner with a firearm. From your description of the events it's clear you were not there causing any alarm or acting in a manner to cause the management to assume you had any intention of robbing the store.
What is really disturbing is the dismissive and condescending attitude of the Supervisor you spoke to at the Sheriff's Department who stated "I know the games you open carriers play". What the heck?!? We aren't playing any games with anyone. We are going about our daily errands while legally carrying a means to protect ourselves and our loved ones while in public. To make such a assuming statement to you is disrespectful and indicates that the rank and file deputies are mimicking the attitudes of their superior officers which is certainly negative toward the legal practice of open carry. Further discussion with them would seem a waste of your time.
Follow the advice of your lawyer. Let us know how it plays out when you are able.
