david.ross
Regular Member
imported post
I first posted this story on PAFOA where I normally post even though I'm a resident of Alaska.
This incident occured about 11:40 a.m. in front of Safeway located in Homer, Alaska.
Most Alaska State Troopers are not like the story I'll mention below. All police in Alaska I've ever came in contact with never have a problem with me.
*I'm wearing a duty belt, safariland level2, XD 45 compact, ammo holder, and an extra full mag*
I was walking in the to local grocery store, and this guy dressed normally walks up behind me asking if I'm a police officer. I turn around, say no and see his badge. He tells me to stand still and not make any sudden movements while he reaches down and extracts my gun from the holster. Amazing thing it took him about 25 seconds to flip down the locking device and pull the weapon out.
Anyway, he goes on how its illegal to OC, especially since I'm not a cop. Giong in to a public place is illegal while carrying a gun, etc etc etc. He tells me I'll go to jail on charges of assault. Then I tell him what the law is, and there are no laws on OC. So he proceeds to tell me I'm still young, sometime I tell him my age and he keeps spewing stuff about how he is right. I tell him Alaska is an open carry state, just like Vermont, and he still tells me I'm wrong, I'll be charged with assault. I asked him if he was a state trooper or an officer of Homer, he stated he is a state trooper who is located in Anchor Point. *anchor point is 20 miles away from homer*
Oh well the best part I know you ALL *LOVE*... He said I'm breaking the law and I'll be charged with *chuckle* Disorderly Conduct.
3 policeman show up from the Homer Police Department, I know two knew me, but I don't know if the 3rd knew me. They check my ID, which I don't mind, I think they were just trying to get the state trooper to go away. He told them I was open carrying my gun in to a store full of people, he has his family there in Homer, etc etc.
I work for the City of Homer under their paycheck and under contract work which doesn't have anything to do with the as needed part time job. I must say, it is rather embarrassing to to be in front of acquintainces of which they all know you.
After the state trooper departed, the officers apologized. *smile* Those guys are great. ^_^ They conversed with me, since I tend to ask many questions, and even report people who litter the streets with cig butts and other rubbish. They know I'm not threatening, and I informed them of many reasons I like to open carry, even the one where I like educating the random person who asks me questions on firearms or protection. Some people just converse with me about random stuff though too. I think... this gun has turned in to a social magnet, which isn't such a bad thing(for me only) since I've grown a tad anti-social, open carrying has actually forced me to talk to people and solved many issues which occur with people in small towns.
They politely recommended I store the firearm in my car for now. I asked for the day, they said, yeah. Which I've to agree, I don't want to run in to this state trooper while in the store again which he might be in since I didn't see if he left or entered the store. Anyway, I went to my car, placed my gun in the box then locked the car. I went to the store to do my business left, etc.
Will I be informing the State Trooper office in Anchor Point about this officer? half half. I don't know why the guy was acting like he did. He may have been tired or previously upset. Most of the state troopers are very nice and understand open carry laws. I'm going to just send a polite letter asking the State Trooper office to please bring their officers up to date with the current laws.
Later on I posted this reply
Situation reported the the Captain of the Kenai State Trooper office.
I tried, but it was too hard to just conceal the person's identity, so the state trooper is being investigated by internal affairs and the captain. He called the Homer police department and spoke to one of the three officers on the scene.
After he got off the phone with the officer at the police department, I spoke to the officer and apologized for opening an can of worms, but I had to inform the state trooper office. He agreed, and all was alright. I asked him to tell the others I apoligize if it is an inconvienence. Most people want to go do something meaningful, but have to deal with crap because some guy who is a trooper detained, confiscated a weapon, and ID'd for no reason a citizen.
I received a formal apology over the phone from the Captain. I explained to him I don't want the person to get in to trouble, a simple talking to would do. He still told me afterwards he was very sorry again, and there was NO reason even legally for me to be detained or anything which happened after.
Wasting the City of Homer resources over a non-incident? I think he will definitely get flack over that as well.
End of Story.
Afterthoughts
Even though I'm not going to pursue any legal actions at this time, I'll submit a request to obtain the 911 call on tape for future reference in case any other incidents occur with this individual and his dislike for open carrying. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, maybe it was just a bad day. His Captain on the other hand, sounded very angry so I don't know what is in store for him for when he returns to work.
I first posted this story on PAFOA where I normally post even though I'm a resident of Alaska.
This incident occured about 11:40 a.m. in front of Safeway located in Homer, Alaska.
Most Alaska State Troopers are not like the story I'll mention below. All police in Alaska I've ever came in contact with never have a problem with me.
*I'm wearing a duty belt, safariland level2, XD 45 compact, ammo holder, and an extra full mag*
I was walking in the to local grocery store, and this guy dressed normally walks up behind me asking if I'm a police officer. I turn around, say no and see his badge. He tells me to stand still and not make any sudden movements while he reaches down and extracts my gun from the holster. Amazing thing it took him about 25 seconds to flip down the locking device and pull the weapon out.
Anyway, he goes on how its illegal to OC, especially since I'm not a cop. Giong in to a public place is illegal while carrying a gun, etc etc etc. He tells me I'll go to jail on charges of assault. Then I tell him what the law is, and there are no laws on OC. So he proceeds to tell me I'm still young, sometime I tell him my age and he keeps spewing stuff about how he is right. I tell him Alaska is an open carry state, just like Vermont, and he still tells me I'm wrong, I'll be charged with assault. I asked him if he was a state trooper or an officer of Homer, he stated he is a state trooper who is located in Anchor Point. *anchor point is 20 miles away from homer*
Oh well the best part I know you ALL *LOVE*... He said I'm breaking the law and I'll be charged with *chuckle* Disorderly Conduct.
3 policeman show up from the Homer Police Department, I know two knew me, but I don't know if the 3rd knew me. They check my ID, which I don't mind, I think they were just trying to get the state trooper to go away. He told them I was open carrying my gun in to a store full of people, he has his family there in Homer, etc etc.
I work for the City of Homer under their paycheck and under contract work which doesn't have anything to do with the as needed part time job. I must say, it is rather embarrassing to to be in front of acquintainces of which they all know you.
After the state trooper departed, the officers apologized. *smile* Those guys are great. ^_^ They conversed with me, since I tend to ask many questions, and even report people who litter the streets with cig butts and other rubbish. They know I'm not threatening, and I informed them of many reasons I like to open carry, even the one where I like educating the random person who asks me questions on firearms or protection. Some people just converse with me about random stuff though too. I think... this gun has turned in to a social magnet, which isn't such a bad thing(for me only) since I've grown a tad anti-social, open carrying has actually forced me to talk to people and solved many issues which occur with people in small towns.
They politely recommended I store the firearm in my car for now. I asked for the day, they said, yeah. Which I've to agree, I don't want to run in to this state trooper while in the store again which he might be in since I didn't see if he left or entered the store. Anyway, I went to my car, placed my gun in the box then locked the car. I went to the store to do my business left, etc.
Will I be informing the State Trooper office in Anchor Point about this officer? half half. I don't know why the guy was acting like he did. He may have been tired or previously upset. Most of the state troopers are very nice and understand open carry laws. I'm going to just send a polite letter asking the State Trooper office to please bring their officers up to date with the current laws.
Later on I posted this reply
Situation reported the the Captain of the Kenai State Trooper office.
I tried, but it was too hard to just conceal the person's identity, so the state trooper is being investigated by internal affairs and the captain. He called the Homer police department and spoke to one of the three officers on the scene.
After he got off the phone with the officer at the police department, I spoke to the officer and apologized for opening an can of worms, but I had to inform the state trooper office. He agreed, and all was alright. I asked him to tell the others I apoligize if it is an inconvienence. Most people want to go do something meaningful, but have to deal with crap because some guy who is a trooper detained, confiscated a weapon, and ID'd for no reason a citizen.
I received a formal apology over the phone from the Captain. I explained to him I don't want the person to get in to trouble, a simple talking to would do. He still told me afterwards he was very sorry again, and there was NO reason even legally for me to be detained or anything which happened after.
Wasting the City of Homer resources over a non-incident? I think he will definitely get flack over that as well.
End of Story.
Afterthoughts
Even though I'm not going to pursue any legal actions at this time, I'll submit a request to obtain the 911 call on tape for future reference in case any other incidents occur with this individual and his dislike for open carrying. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, maybe it was just a bad day. His Captain on the other hand, sounded very angry so I don't know what is in store for him for when he returns to work.
