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Denver Police Exhibit Restraint

AnaxImperator

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2008
Messages
252
Location
nowhere, Colorado, USA
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Last Monday early in the AM, I had to call 911 on behalf of a friend's neighbor who suddenly burst into the apartment. This poor girl was seriously beaten and distraught and hysterical because her boyfriend had eaten all her meds, threatened to kill himself and her, and she was genuinely afraid for her safety. So I asked her if she wanted me to call the police, she said yes I did so.
Long story short, I had little idea what the exact address was, so I went down to the parkinglot to wait for the police. The whole time I was on the line with a 911 operator, relaying her details as I learned them, and keeping an eye out for this guy since he had ran off. The operator asked for my personal information and if I had any weapons. I told her that I did, since I'm a disabled and homeless veteran and have my collection in my car, all securely cased unloaded and out of the passenger compartment. she asked me what guns I had, and I told her about my M1, SLR-95, Mosin Nagants, and three handguns. I told her I'm very familiar with Denver and Colorado firearms laws, and I made sure I was compliant before arriving in Denver. I told her I had no idea what was in the apartments, or what the people there had, as I was only there to rest and drop off my friend. The operator noticed that I was freezing, and even after learning of my firearms, told me to sit in my car to warm up until the officers arrived. she kept me on the line until the officers got there... all 4 of them. They did the normal bit in asking me to exit the car, and a young female officer proceeded to interview me. they asked me briefly about my guns and if they were unloaded and cased, and then moved on quickly to questions about the neighbor girl. then they went up to the apartment, and told me I could either wait in my car or come with them. I opted to wait, and after they were done the female officer wrote down my name and ph# for her report. not once did they ask to see my ID or ask to search my person or car. this I found was completely contrary to what I've heard about Denver police concerning citizens and privatey-owned firearms, especially when they're being transported in vehicles.
I know that in any other big city I've lived in, my car and pockets wouldve been thoroughly tossed, and the police wouldve been much more interested in me than the poor girl I called for. I dont feel that these four Denver cops were being lax by not searching me or looking at my ID, only that they quickly decided that I posed no threat and was being completely truthful. But like I said; in Detroit, Flint, Lansing, Tampa, Miami, or Pittsburg, I wouldve been thoroughly searched, physically detained temporarily "for our safety", and possibly had my firearms confiscated regardless of them being completely legal and secured. I dunno, maybe these particular officers were the exception to the norm, but I think my experience fully illustrates the benefit of promptly & truthfully informing the police dispatcher of anything responding officers need to be aware of so there are no surprises. I know as fact that police hate surprises, and especially attempts at hiding the truth when it comes to things that could do serious harm to them.
 

AnaxImperator

Regular Member
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Messages
252
Location
nowhere, Colorado, USA
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Ok, while I fully understand the reluctance of many gun-owners to inform law-enforcement of one's ownership and/or possession of firearms, I fail to see how my doing so in this case would jepordize my future ownership of the firearms I already own and somehow lead to future persecution. I've heard a lot about the government's likely gun-grab; which could be the resurrection of HR1022 in permanent form (albiet with a grandfather clause), to the wholesale confiscation of the dangerous "Assault Weapons" outlined in the new AWB.
I believe it won't be that draconian, but should an otherwise law-abiding gun-owner lie to the police when the firearms question comes up during a report/complaint, simply out of the fear and possibility that one's name and list of owned firearms would thence be added to a list of people to go after, should such a drastic AWB be signed into law?
I've related my experience in Denver to a few fellow gun-owners, and almost to a man they informed me that I made a dire mistake in telling the 911 operator and officers of my collection in my car, and to expect a nasty visit by the ATF when the new AWB passes. Sure, I'm just as afraid that's the direction the gov & president is moving, but I'm hearing more and more outright paranoia from gun-owners; ie black helos, existance of confiscation rolls, and our gov submitting completely to UN firearms controls in America... however IMHO those things are at least several years in the future, if at all.
But risking successfully lying to police, when it's their job to detect such things, wouldve been a definite road to confiscation of my firearms... and a lot sooner than what is supposedly coming from the gun-grabbers in Washington.
All I'm asking is that my fellow gun-owners not risk their immediate freedom by lying to police about their firearms out of paranoia, if of course the LEO's asking isn't an obvious breach of law. But come on, why the riot act? I don't think I'm at any greater risk of confiscation after last Monday's incident by being truthful and cooperative with law-enforcement in one 911 call. If anything, the Feds don't need my disclosure to figure out what I have and where I live, all they'd need to do is look up BGC and tax info.
 

Gunslinger

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2008
Messages
3,853
Location
Free, Colorado, USA
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Loaded and concealed handguns in your car are completely legal everywhere in Colorado--including Denver. Long arms have to be unloaded. Denver only has a grandfathered ban on open carry. All other state laws apply under preemption.

I don't understand your second post. To whom are you replying?
 

AnaxImperator

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2008
Messages
252
Location
nowhere, Colorado, USA
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I know about the loaded handgun & cars laws in Colorado, but I saw no reason to give any poking & ignorant LEOs reason to harrass me, so I simply moved my 9mm into the back of my car when I entered Denver, though still within easy reach. Since my car is a hatchback, my backseat was folded down, and the cargo area loaded with luggage, my 9mm was technically out of the passenger compartment.
In regards to my second reply, it was more of a rant not aimed at anyone on the board. But since leaving Denver, talking to fellow gun-owners at several stores and friends of mine in other states, I was admonished by almost all for giving the government info on what my collection contained... regardless of the nearly indifferent attitude the 911 op and responding officers had when learning of those guns. Just the sheer amount of outright fear & paranoia was almost as disconcerting as the threat of sweeping AWBs. Maybe the media anti-gun hype following the week's tragic multiple shootings had a lot to do with it, since Virginia Tech precipitated the 2007 NICS Improvement Act (intro'd by Comrade Carolyn McCarthy)... otherwise known as the Veterans Disarmament Act.
 

AnaxImperator

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2008
Messages
252
Location
nowhere, Colorado, USA
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oh, I almost forgot about the Fudd in Castle Rock at a gas station that confronted me about my OC'ed 9mm. Came right out and told me that it was illegal. First time I've had anyone in Colorado outright tell me OC is illegal while OC'ing myself. And unless I'm in Denver or location specifically prohibiting it, I've been open carrying every day since learning about it here. Well, the SLV is pretty cool in that respect I guess :)
 
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