elevenpastsix
New member
imported post
My wife and I live off of Paseo Del Norte and Coors. I am not a felon. I have no prior record. A few weeks back, I had gone out on a Saturday night to get dinner for my wife and myself. She wanted McDonald's, so I set out on my food run with a list in my hand, and my Glock 22 in a Blackhawk hip holster, round chambered, magazine full, on my right side. I don't leave my apartment without being armed, especially in the evening. I get to McDonald's (with no sign prohibiting weapons of any kind) and got out of my car. Two APD officers get out of theirs, on their way to a dinner break I assume. One enters. I offer to hold the door for the second, so he walks in. At the second door, I extend the same courtesy at which point he sees my weapon. He holds the door for me this time. When inside, I extend another courtesy and say, "After you. I'm sure you guys are busy" to which he replies,"No, I'd rather you be in front of me." I place my order and sit to wait for my food. He then walks over to me and asks what department I'm with. I tell him that I'm not with any department (I'm former Air Force Security Forces, but not civilian LE). I explain that I'm simply a private citizen open carrying in accordance with NM law. He walks away. He returns and starts the small lecture about how my carrying a gun can cause undue fear in people and how I should consider not arming myself until I can get my concealed carry permit (I am in the process). I ask him, "Do you worry that your gun causes the same fear in people?" He replies, "I'm a sworn peace officer. It's part of my job." I then say, "Thank you for all that you do, but until you guys can be everywhere, at all times, I will abide by the law and arm myself for my own defense." He then walks away and his partner and him proceed to stare at me like I'm the Antichrist. When leaving, I say to him, "Hope you guys have a safe evening." He just nods like I have offended him or taken away his toy.
Moral of the story - Know your rights, don't allow police to intimidate you. They are the good guys, but they sometimes believe they are the ONLY good guys that are allowed to be out there. Most cops are great people but you still need to know your rights and exercise them.
My wife and I live off of Paseo Del Norte and Coors. I am not a felon. I have no prior record. A few weeks back, I had gone out on a Saturday night to get dinner for my wife and myself. She wanted McDonald's, so I set out on my food run with a list in my hand, and my Glock 22 in a Blackhawk hip holster, round chambered, magazine full, on my right side. I don't leave my apartment without being armed, especially in the evening. I get to McDonald's (with no sign prohibiting weapons of any kind) and got out of my car. Two APD officers get out of theirs, on their way to a dinner break I assume. One enters. I offer to hold the door for the second, so he walks in. At the second door, I extend the same courtesy at which point he sees my weapon. He holds the door for me this time. When inside, I extend another courtesy and say, "After you. I'm sure you guys are busy" to which he replies,"No, I'd rather you be in front of me." I place my order and sit to wait for my food. He then walks over to me and asks what department I'm with. I tell him that I'm not with any department (I'm former Air Force Security Forces, but not civilian LE). I explain that I'm simply a private citizen open carrying in accordance with NM law. He walks away. He returns and starts the small lecture about how my carrying a gun can cause undue fear in people and how I should consider not arming myself until I can get my concealed carry permit (I am in the process). I ask him, "Do you worry that your gun causes the same fear in people?" He replies, "I'm a sworn peace officer. It's part of my job." I then say, "Thank you for all that you do, but until you guys can be everywhere, at all times, I will abide by the law and arm myself for my own defense." He then walks away and his partner and him proceed to stare at me like I'm the Antichrist. When leaving, I say to him, "Hope you guys have a safe evening." He just nods like I have offended him or taken away his toy.
Moral of the story - Know your rights, don't allow police to intimidate you. They are the good guys, but they sometimes believe they are the ONLY good guys that are allowed to be out there. Most cops are great people but you still need to know your rights and exercise them.