imported post
Several have posted about the importance of a strong grassroots organization, the VCDL, and I agree with all that has been said there.
Another aspect of this issue is how do you handle yourself in your day-to-day Open Carry activities? I suspect that may be more along the lines of what the OP was wanting to know, and I think that successful encounters with LEOs and other folks have gone a long way toward advancing the cause here in Virginia.
I've not been in the trenches here, but I have read many accounts on this forum for about the past year, so I've learned a lot. Then just a little bit ago, OCDO co-founder
John Pierce posted a note on one of the Hot Topic threads which neatly sums up what I was thinking...
2) Mike and I have said it before but it bears repeating here. The rule when given an order by a law enforcement officer is to comply while documenting the misconduct for future legal action (via video or audio recorder, witnesses, and getting the officer's contact info). Arguing legal or constitutional issues on the scene with an officer who is misinformed or acting in bad faith will accomplish nothing other than an arrest that you will have to pay thousands to redress. While these types of cases, when carried through to a proper end, can do a great job of educating law enforcement and paving the way for future open carriers, do not set yourself up to be a test case that you are not prepared emotionally or financially to see all the way through.
I think John's paragraph sums up the success here in Virginia quite nicely, and in most cases, all that is needed is to address the issue with the uninformed person's supervisor or management chain. I don't think legal action is needed in the vast majority of cases.
As you encounter the public, prepare yourself ahead of time with thoughts along these lines:
- You are in the right. You are not breaking laws. OC is "normal" behavior.
- The general public, and even LEOs may not know the facts in #1.
- There are people, including LEOs who adamantly hate the facts in #1.
- LEOs, even when wrong or displaying unprofessional attitudes and behavior, are still in a position of authority over you. You will never win the argument "on the side of the road".
- Be professional, courteous and cooperative, while explicitly reserving your rights (such as politely informing LEOs that you do not consent to any searches, confiscations of your property, etc... read through the forum for much more info on this aspect.)
- Gather evidence! Yes, voice recordings are gold. I don't know Alabama laws, Virginia is a "one party consent" state, meaning anyone participating in a conversation can record it without informing the others. LEOs may be excluded from any privacy laws due to the public nature of their job, check your state law. Take names, take notes.
- Approach the incident as an opportunity to educate, inform, and expand the acceptance of OC.
- Remember, some people will automatically label you as a criminal for carrying a gun. Dress, act, speak and treat others in such a way as to quickly dispel those prejudices.
I'm sure there are other thoughts along these lines from the veterans... feel free to add in!
TFred
