imported post
BJA wrote:
I believe our relations with law enforcement need some improvement. Yet we also need to put our foot down. Police in this case are really nothing to "fear". I hope we develope a better relationship over time. If a police officer does aproach you act nice and cordial. You do not need to give any specific information I believe unless they have reason to believe you may or have committed a crime, as in the Terry case which I need to become more familiar with.
Keep your hands away from your weapon, greet the officer and tell him you are lawfully open carrying and ask if there is anything you need to be concerned about. And also say right away that you don't concent to any search or seizure Where you go from there is up to you. Personally when I do run to the store I don't have time for an officer to check if I have any constitutional rights. If after I ask "do you have any reasonable suspicion that I have or will commit a crime" and more than likely they'll say no, then I'll ask if I'm free to go. Which he should say yes and you can leave with no information given, and with minimal wasted time out of your day.
Ben
In the case of the city of Milwaukee I could see how this would be the general scenario because of their past practice.
However, In some of the smaller towns and cities I would have to say that maybe taking the time to simply chit chat with the officer and for lack of a better phrase " do a little social work." This may prove to be one of our best weapons in the fight for our rights.
If the officer has a conversation with you and feels you are a mature law abiding citizen simply exercising your rights, he will feel more at ease as well. The next time he gets a call for a man with a gun and he drives by the most you may get from him will probably be a wave.
Lets be real here. Not all cops are asshats. Some actually support our cause and are simply doing their job as instructed by their superiors.
I am sure there are just as many of them that are trying to allow us our rights as there are those who oppose.
In the case where you run into one of those "asshat" cops, then by all means as soon as you have become aware that this isn't a friendly stop then by all means follow Ben's advice.
" Keep your hands away from your weapon, greet the officer and tell him you are
lawfully open carrying and ask if there is anything you need to be concerned about. And also say right away that you don't concent to any search or seizure Where you go from there is up to you. Personally when I do run to the store I don't have time for an officer to check if I have any constitutional rights. If after I ask "do you have any reasonable suspicion that I have or will commit a crime" and more than likely they'll say no, then I'll ask if I'm free to go. Which he should say yes and you can leave with no information given, and with minimal wasted time out of your day."
But remember, when possible social work maybe our best weapon.