imported post
So, I haven't OC'ed here yet, but I just talked to a cop in Bellingham (a starbucks) and this is basically how it went down:
ME: I was reading RCW 9 and 16 the other day and had some questions so I emailed the DoL and they told me that it was legal to openly carry in WA.
Cop: Open Carry? What's that?
M: Openly carry a handgun, like on your hip, w/o a CPL. This was news to me, so I was wondering what your response would be if, say you walked into a starbucks and someone was wearing a handgun on their hip, just minding their own business.
C: oh, you're going to get a talking to, possibly some force (he says as he touches the butt of his Glock). I'm gonna want to make sure that you aren't touching the gun, that you aren't crazy or something.
M: So, in a sense, I could beat the rap, but not the ride? I'll still get hauled downtown.
C: No, (rolls eyes). You won't get arrested. I mean it's legal but normal people don't do that. I mean, you don't see people walking around with compound bows down the street or walking around with a sword out. Perfectly legal to do that, but it's just not something normal people do. You openly carry a handgun in Bellingham and you will get contacted by the police and there will be a report written up.
M: Thank you officer that's all I wanted to know.
That whole, "Normal people don't do that" thing kinda bugs me (to put it lightly).
So, I haven't OC'ed here yet, but I just talked to a cop in Bellingham (a starbucks) and this is basically how it went down:
ME: I was reading RCW 9 and 16 the other day and had some questions so I emailed the DoL and they told me that it was legal to openly carry in WA.
Cop: Open Carry? What's that?
M: Openly carry a handgun, like on your hip, w/o a CPL. This was news to me, so I was wondering what your response would be if, say you walked into a starbucks and someone was wearing a handgun on their hip, just minding their own business.
C: oh, you're going to get a talking to, possibly some force (he says as he touches the butt of his Glock). I'm gonna want to make sure that you aren't touching the gun, that you aren't crazy or something.
M: So, in a sense, I could beat the rap, but not the ride? I'll still get hauled downtown.
C: No, (rolls eyes). You won't get arrested. I mean it's legal but normal people don't do that. I mean, you don't see people walking around with compound bows down the street or walking around with a sword out. Perfectly legal to do that, but it's just not something normal people do. You openly carry a handgun in Bellingham and you will get contacted by the police and there will be a report written up.
M: Thank you officer that's all I wanted to know.
That whole, "Normal people don't do that" thing kinda bugs me (to put it lightly).