I have a question about RCW 9.41.050. I was looking over the OC pamphlet that's available here on the forums because I'm considering carrying a few copies with me. The language that I have a question about it this:
(b) Every licensee shall have his or her concealed pistol license in his or her immediate possession at all times that he or she is required by this section to have a concealed pistol license and shall display the same upon demand to any police officer or to any other person when and if required by law to do so.
I understand what it means. It means that if you are concealing a pistol a police officer has a right to ask you for your CPL. But the language doesn't specify when the officer can't ask for your CPL.
Scenario: An officer sees you open carrying and wants to question you or get identification from you. You inform the officer that you are doing nothing illegal and ask if you are being detained (I'm sure there are other responses you could give). The officer then says that he/she demands to see your CPL if you have one.
What do you do? RCW 9.41.050 doesn't specify a situation where you can refuse the request. You don't want to lie and say that you don't have one (it's only a lie if you do have one I guess). The officer is getting around the not having to provide ID issue by demanding the CPL. Would they be within their right to do so? I get that open carrying doesn't require a CPL but if they see you open carrying it makes sense that you might have one. I've wondered about this and would like an opinion.
(b) Every licensee shall have his or her concealed pistol license in his or her immediate possession at all times that he or she is required by this section to have a concealed pistol license and shall display the same upon demand to any police officer or to any other person when and if required by law to do so.
I understand what it means. It means that if you are concealing a pistol a police officer has a right to ask you for your CPL. But the language doesn't specify when the officer can't ask for your CPL.
Scenario: An officer sees you open carrying and wants to question you or get identification from you. You inform the officer that you are doing nothing illegal and ask if you are being detained (I'm sure there are other responses you could give). The officer then says that he/she demands to see your CPL if you have one.
What do you do? RCW 9.41.050 doesn't specify a situation where you can refuse the request. You don't want to lie and say that you don't have one (it's only a lie if you do have one I guess). The officer is getting around the not having to provide ID issue by demanding the CPL. Would they be within their right to do so? I get that open carrying doesn't require a CPL but if they see you open carrying it makes sense that you might have one. I've wondered about this and would like an opinion.
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