Dianosis
Regular Member
imported post
Sent the following email letter to Dothan Police Chief John Powell:
Chief Powell, and the Dothan Police Department,
My name is Jason Jones. I am a long time resident of the wiregrass, and spend a lot of time in Dothan for various reasons. I have a few concerns I would like to discuss with you involving the peaceable and legal carry of firearms for self-defense in this city, particularly the standard police procedure involving a citizen who is openly carrying a firearm.
As I am sure you know, the “Code of Alabama 1975” http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm does not expressly prohibit the peaceable open carry of firearms in public. Without such a prohibition, carrying in such a manner, with or without a permit, is legal. I understand that if you were to enter a vehicle, you would need a concealed pistol license, but a citizen on foot in the state of Alabama may legally carry a handgun openly, unless expressly prohibited by certain establishments, or upon entering an establishment, the citizen is asked to disarm or leave. This is my, and my attorney’s, understanding of this issue in this State.
There also exists an Alabama Attorney General’s opinion issued by Attorney General Graddick in 1984 (viewable at http://www.ago.state.al.us/oldopinions/8400205.pdf which confirms that Alabama law does not prohibit openly carrying firearms in a peaceable manner.
While I am personally a concealed pistol license holder, for personal reasons, I have sometimes found it necessary to carry my pistol openly. These reasons may include a range of things from comfort to convenience. I’m sure you understand how it could be uncomfortable to tryto conceal a 2 pound pistol in the middle of July in Alabama. Unfortunately, it has come to my attention (through personal experience as well as research) that in the past, police have not responded well to citizens peaceably carrying firearms in plain view in this great state. Often there is a gross overreaction by police officers, which ultimately may lead to an unlawful arrest. It is my hope that the Dothan Police Department does not handle such a situation in this manner. While I fully understand the need to check out anyone with a gun in public, if the person is behaving in a peaceful and otherwise lawful manner, there is no need for police officers to escalate the situation.
While you, or any of the officers on the police force in Dothan may have your own opinions about open carry, I am simply inquiring as to the department’s official stance on this issue, and how any calls may be handled.
I intend to post our correspondence on an online discussion forum known as Open Carry dot Org http://www.opencarry.org I hope that you will take some time to look over this website if this issue interests you. Posts made by any other users using any other users on this site may not necessarily share in my views or opinions about anything.
I have also attached a very informative pdf file on the law and open carrying in Alabama, I hope you find this information as informative as I did.
I am truly thankful for your time, and look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible. I would also be happy to meet with you in person to further discuss this issue. You may reach me at the return email address in this message.
Sincerely,
Jason Jones
Hopefully we'll get a favorable responce! I'll post any replys here.
Sent the following email letter to Dothan Police Chief John Powell:
Chief Powell, and the Dothan Police Department,
My name is Jason Jones. I am a long time resident of the wiregrass, and spend a lot of time in Dothan for various reasons. I have a few concerns I would like to discuss with you involving the peaceable and legal carry of firearms for self-defense in this city, particularly the standard police procedure involving a citizen who is openly carrying a firearm.
As I am sure you know, the “Code of Alabama 1975” http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm does not expressly prohibit the peaceable open carry of firearms in public. Without such a prohibition, carrying in such a manner, with or without a permit, is legal. I understand that if you were to enter a vehicle, you would need a concealed pistol license, but a citizen on foot in the state of Alabama may legally carry a handgun openly, unless expressly prohibited by certain establishments, or upon entering an establishment, the citizen is asked to disarm or leave. This is my, and my attorney’s, understanding of this issue in this State.
There also exists an Alabama Attorney General’s opinion issued by Attorney General Graddick in 1984 (viewable at http://www.ago.state.al.us/oldopinions/8400205.pdf which confirms that Alabama law does not prohibit openly carrying firearms in a peaceable manner.
While I am personally a concealed pistol license holder, for personal reasons, I have sometimes found it necessary to carry my pistol openly. These reasons may include a range of things from comfort to convenience. I’m sure you understand how it could be uncomfortable to tryto conceal a 2 pound pistol in the middle of July in Alabama. Unfortunately, it has come to my attention (through personal experience as well as research) that in the past, police have not responded well to citizens peaceably carrying firearms in plain view in this great state. Often there is a gross overreaction by police officers, which ultimately may lead to an unlawful arrest. It is my hope that the Dothan Police Department does not handle such a situation in this manner. While I fully understand the need to check out anyone with a gun in public, if the person is behaving in a peaceful and otherwise lawful manner, there is no need for police officers to escalate the situation.
While you, or any of the officers on the police force in Dothan may have your own opinions about open carry, I am simply inquiring as to the department’s official stance on this issue, and how any calls may be handled.
I intend to post our correspondence on an online discussion forum known as Open Carry dot Org http://www.opencarry.org I hope that you will take some time to look over this website if this issue interests you. Posts made by any other users using any other users on this site may not necessarily share in my views or opinions about anything.
I have also attached a very informative pdf file on the law and open carrying in Alabama, I hope you find this information as informative as I did.
I am truly thankful for your time, and look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible. I would also be happy to meet with you in person to further discuss this issue. You may reach me at the return email address in this message.
Sincerely,
Jason Jones
Hopefully we'll get a favorable responce! I'll post any replys here.