Equinox
Regular Member
imported post
Ever been questioned?
Ever been questioned?
Ever been questioned?
Me?
Nah, dude, I've never been questioned. Only stripped of my basic civil rights and given instructions that open carrying "isn't a good idea".
But seriously, yeah, I've been questioned. I can't even recall the amount of questioning I've received since I started carrying. I should just carry a laminated card with answers to all of their questions from now on.
The questioning per se goes along the lines of:
Guess I'm just a cop magnet.
- Why are you openly carrying?
- Do you know it's not a good idea to open carry?
- Do you have some ID? (my favorite)
- Why is your hammer cocked back? (when I carry the 1911)
I followed this when it happened in '07. I didn't know that the caller used questionable language or that he even engaged in any sort of discourse with all of you. May I ask what he said? I have spoken with a Manassas LEO who was not present during the encounter, but of course, knew about it. He felt his fellow officers, in particular the female, overreacted and conducted themselves improperly.Was one of the Tony's 7 guys just short of 2 years ago. Brief summary:Despite the white-wash, some good comes of the event. Awareness of Virginia OC laws among police is raised yet again. Two previous and largely similar incidents had already taken place in nearby Fairfax County.
- 7 guys, including myself, OC'ing in a pizza shop (Tony's) in Manassas, VA
- One restaurant patron engaged several of us using objectionable language and calling us "morons" for OC'ing (we probably should have called police ourselves when he did so)
- We sat down and ate a meal, he did so a few tables away
- Guy left after about 45 minutes and called 911 with a "men with guns" complaint. Dispatcher knew OC was legal and tried to explain it, but he wanted police response. I am of the opinion that this "citizen" would have liked nothing better than to have us harmed by police, but I can't prove that.
- Dispatcher sends 1 officer, several others, apparently the entire on-duty force that night, "pile on" to the call.
- Police are belligerent, don't know VA law, try to get us to conceal, etc.
- Two officers twist arm of owner and get him to tell us to "get the f%$# out", in the words of one of the officers.
- I am personally cursed at 4 times by one officer (a crime in itself in VA, albeit a minor one).
- Supervisor on the scene refuses to speak with me when I attempt to explain and offer copies of documents, including state police web page on OC in restaurants. Nearby officer curses me a final time, saying, "We don't want to see your damn papers..."
- Given the lack of control exercised by the supervisor and unprofessional demeanor of the officers, I become concerned the incident will result in escalation to a more physical level, so we leave.
- In coming days, FOIA's wrest details from police. It was worse than we had thought, after reviewing police emails and documents. Police conduct during and after was awful.
- Formal complaints are filed by myself and others.
- Hundreds of VCDL and OCDO members pack 2 Manassas city council meetings.
- Police chief releases report essentially white washing the conduct of his officers.
Some relevant links, for those interested:
http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/view_topic.php?id=1486&forum_id=54&highlight=tony
http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/view_topic.php?id=1681&forum_id=54&highlight=tony
http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/view_topic.php?id=1834&forum_id=54&highlight=tony
http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/view_topic.php?id=1891&forum_id=54&highlight=tony
http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/view_topic.php?id=2639&forum_id=54&highlight=tony
Very interesting. Of course, it's none of their business and I imagine they would have no jurisdiction anyway (think this has been covered on this site with someone else a while back).Was visiting Manassas and peacefully OC'ing. Riding the elevator in the hotel, a couple ofmen got on. They asked a few questions, I politely answered, they identified themselves as out of state FBI. They were obviously not happy about the situation, I wasamused with their discomfort, we went our separate ways. End of story.
oklaccer wrote:Very interesting. Of course, it's none of their business and I imagine they would have no jurisdiction anyway (think this has been covered on this site with someone else a while back).Was visiting Manassas and peacefully OC'ing. Riding the elevator in the hotel, a couple ofmen got on. They asked a few questions, I politely answered, they identified themselves as out of state FBI. They were obviously not happy about the situation, I wasamused with their discomfort, we went our separate ways. End of story.
From time to time, I see DC police cars in my area (God only knows why), and I have to wonder what they might think when seeing someone OC'ing here in Virginia. Again, they have no authority or power in our state so what they might think or attempt to do is of no concern to us.
BTW, hope you enjoyed your stay here.
I didn't know that the caller used questionable language or that he even engaged in any sort of discourse with all of you. May I ask what he said?
Have you heard of any more problems with the Manassas police department regarding OC?