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Generic response when asked if you are a LEO

Nevada carrier

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I just got home from lunch at Quizno's located at Trop and Decatur where I was questioned for the first time by the proprietor of a business. I had just placed my order and walked to the other end of the counter to pay. The girl who took my order began to make my sandwich but the other girl who was working the cashier saw that I was carrying and went to the back to tell the owner/manager. The owner came out to the register and asked me if I was a police officer.

I responded generically, saying "I cannot answer that question." She said "Fair enough, have a nice day," then turned to the cashier and said "Ring him up."

I did not get the sense that they where in a panic or anything, none of them exhibited any fear or apprehension. There where no customers in the store save one kid filling out an application. I saw someone suggest on this forum to answer generically when asked if you where a LEO so I thought I would give it a try.

I think good attire tends to lend credibility to people open carrying. I wore Dickie's carpenter bluejeans, An olive green polo with a collar, nice belt and nice watch and shoes. If I where dressing like I was the lead character in Malibu's Most Wanted, the result may have been very different.
 

Citizen

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Why not take it as an opportunity to promote self-defense rights and tell her you are just an ordinary guy?

I remember one young woman who asked me if I was a cop. I told her I wasn't, then explained. By the time we were done she had decided to download the CCW permit from the state police website later that day.
 

Nevada carrier

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Citizen wrote:
Why not take it as an opportunity to promote self-defense rights and tell her you are just an ordinary guy?

I remember one young woman who asked me if I was a cop.  I told her I wasn't, then explained.  By the time we were done she had decided to download the CCW permit from the state police website later that day.

Because I was hungry, and I don't believe I should have to justify a lawful act. I can see the value of trying to educate, but sometimes it's best to STFU and eat.
 

OPS MARINE

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, California, USA
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I have to agree with NV Carrier. I pretty much did the same thing when questioned by two guys outside one of the Safeways here. The question was "Wow, dude...are you a cop?" First of all, I am not DUDE, but my response was "I really can't discuss that." They then asked if I was undercover. I said "It doesn't seem that I'd pull that off, right?" I kept walking.

I DO take the time to educate, but I was in such a hurry to get what I needed, and I had someone with me...I just didn't wanna talk right then. They were pollers anyway.
 

ijusam

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Kent county, Delaware, USA
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Nevada carrier wrote:
Citizen wrote:
Why not take it as an opportunity to promote self-defense rights and tell her you are just an ordinary guy?

I remember one young woman who asked me if I was a cop. I told her I wasn't, then explained. By the time we were done she had decided to download the CCW permit from the state police website later that day.

Because I was hungry, and I don't believe I should have to justify a lawful act. I can see the value of trying to educate, but sometimes it's best to STFU and eat.
more likely they were trying to decide if you got a LEO discount
 

gmijackso

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ijusam wrote:
more likely they were trying to decide if you got a LEO discount

I occasionally go to Jean to shoot at the dry lake bed, and always stop at the gas station on the West side of the highway to fill a giant soda mug (it's an addiction). Occasionally they ask if I'm LEO and one time, I was told by the cashier that the reason she had asked was because LEO get free refills on their drinks. So, it is a possibility, though I'm not sure why the Quiznos cashier would need to get a manager for that.
 

Sabotage70

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gmijackso wrote:
ijusam wrote:
more likely they were trying to decide if you got a LEO discount

I occasionally go to Jean to shoot at the dry lake bed, and always stop at the gas station on the West side of the highway to fill a giant soda mug (it's an addiction). Occasionally they ask if I'm LEO and one time, I was told by the cashier that the reason she had asked was because LEO get free refills on their drinks. So, it is a possibility, though I'm not sure why the Quiznos cashier would need to get a manager for that.
Cops are not supposed to take anything for free. I believe that can be considered a "bribe" or something to that effect.
 

DEROS72

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Valhalla
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OPS MARINE wrote:
I have to agree with NV Carrier. I pretty much did the same thing when questioned by two guys outside one of the Safeways here. The question was "Wow, dude...are you a cop?" First of all, I am not DUDE, but my response was "I really can't discuss that." They then asked if I was undercover. I said "It doesn't seem that I'd pull that off, right?" I kept walking.

I DO take the time to educate, but I was in such a hurry to get what I needed, and I had someone with me...I just didn't wanna talk right then. They were pollers anyway.

I always will take time to educate as well if someone genuinly wants to know.But I get that are you a cop all the time. Or your undercover......Or yo dawg are you police??I don't respond to Yo dawg.Anyway if I were undercover I'm not very good at it since my sidearm is hanging out.

I had one guy pull me aside and in a very low voice say ...I just wanted to let you know your pistol is showing...Your kidding ..right??
 

jfrey123

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May 13, 2008
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Sparks, NV, Nevada, USA
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My reply is a quick, unapologetic and almost inquizitive"No" when they ask if I'm a cop. I don't volunteer information, I like to play off each encounter as if it's the first time I'm being asked about the gun. They'll ask if I'm a cop, and I say no. Then they'll wait a second, thinking of their next question, which is usually, "Well why do you have a gun?" I reply "I carry for self defense, and becuase it's legal to open carry" and that seems to work out very well.

Never, ever do anything to imply or pretend you are a police officer. If someone believes you are a cop, that can cause issues later. Yeah, you never said you were police, but they might be under the impression that you are LEO and that could be enough to make a case for impersonation.



My .02, IANAL.
 

langzaiguy

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Sure, we don't HAVE to respond. We're not OBLIGATED to justify a legal & constitutional act. The point is, however, that we CAN. We can choose to see the interactions as opportunities to forward our cause. A few years ago, I had no idea OC was legal and probably would have asked a very similar question.
 
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