imported post
Tomahawk wrote:
Rather than try to teach a phonebook full of laws, just teach them some restraint unless they are witnessing a crime against persons or property in progress.
For instance: you see a guy carrying a holstered pistol. Gee, is that legal? Well, let's look it up or call somebody and find out. In the meantime, he's not hurting anyone, so let's just keep an eye on him until we find out for sure.
This goes for any out-of-the-ordinary situation, not just firearms. I don't have any unrealistic notion that cops can memorize all the laws any more than I can. Since there are so many laws out there, the default mode for a police officer should be to chill out and gather info before stopping someone.
In this age of radios and cellphones and text messaging, there should be a simple way for an officer to find out the relevant code for odd situations.
The real problem is that in places like Norfolk or Manassas the police seem to be trained or conditioned to overreact first, regardless of the law. The default overkill setting has to go away, and training should focus on that more than memorizing any particular laws.
+1 I agree with Tomohawk on this one.
I would compare carry a gun to driving a car:
In VA it is not illegal to drive a car, while it is also not illegal to carry a gun. In some circumstances you need a license (or permit).
However, just because someone is driving a car (carrying a gun) it does not justify a investigatory stop to see if the person is legally driving the car (carrying the gun).
An officer must have some evidence that the driver (carrier) is committing a crime, has committed a crime, or is illegally driving the car (carrying the gun), before he is allow to stop the driver (carrier) and investigate.
Cities cannot prevent you from driving (carrying) into their city.
Officers are not allow to pull over a driver (carrier) just to make sure that they have a license (permit if CC'ing, over 18 if OC'ing).
Remember, the vast majority of people whom you see driving a car (carrying a gun) are not breaking any laws. Therefore without other evidence of a crime, you cannot involuntarily detain them!
And a few more that don't compare exactly, but I think you'll get the point:
Yes, you can drive on school property, just don't drive you car into the building itself.
You are allowed to drive your car into the capital city of Richmond.
You can drive anywhere on college campuses, although most colleges do not allow students to drive.
Contrary to popular belief, you are allowed to drive cars in the cities of Manassas, Hampton, Norfolk, and Alexandra!
You can drive with alcohol in the car, just don't drink while driving.
You can drive to church if you have a good reason to do so.
It is illegal to drive your car into a courthouse.
You cannot drive into an airport building, unless you plan to fly with your car!
You cannot drive onto private property if prohibited by the owner.