Dover cops are informed!

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I'm a resident of Dover, NH who open carries everywhere except the University of New Hampshire campus where I am a student. Tonight, 25OCT2008 at approximately 7:45pm I rode my bicycle to downtown Dover to buy a beverage. After making my purchase, I left the convenience store and was approached by two Dover officers. One officer bid me good evening and asked if I was a "Freestater." I applied no however I knew what he was talking about. We exchanged words, the officer mostly asking why I choose to open carry. I finished the conversation by asking why they approached me in the first place. I was concerned that someone had called the police about my open carrying. Turns out I passed them on my bicycle on my way to the convenience store and they were checking me out.

At no time did the officers try to detain me, remove my weapon, or ask for identification. They were polite and professional. They also informed me that if I am stopped by other police officers it is because they are not informed of the legality of open carry.

Shortly after the encounter I called Porcupine 411 and gave my account.

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I got your message on Porc411, and hoped you'd post about it here. Thanks!

Meanwhile, Hookset police apparently don't get it, according to another Porc411 call on Saturday. In the end they returned his gun and let him go on his way, but not before harassing him and trying to intimidate him.

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Your location says you live in CT.

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What reason did they have to approach you? Because you didn't feel threatened and perhaps enjoyed the encounter doesn't justify their interference without cause.

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LiveFreeOrDie wrote:

Your location says you live in CT.

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yes it does. i live in Dover for most of the year because i'm a student at UNH.


What reason did the police have to stop me? They saw me with a pistol on my hip riding downtown on a bike and decided to check me out. I choose to stop and chat with them when they approached me outside the convenience store. My intent was to make as much of a positive impression of myself to them and conversely I got a positive impression on them.

I don't have a problem with the police stopping me for simple stuff like this as long as both parties learn something after the encounter.