Aaron1124
Regular Member
BANGOR, Maine — In the 18 years that he has been a police officer in Bangor, James Dearing couldn’t think of a single time when someone has asked him to turn over his firearm.
Until last Friday.
Dearing, who was patrolling his assigned beat near the Bangor Civic Center, decided to stop in and cast an early vote. He walked into the polling place in full uniform and stood in a short line with other voters.
One of the election officials told Dearing he couldn’t bring his gun inside. The officer said he thought it was a joke.
Election warden Wayne Mallar then approached Dearing and reiterated the request: Turn over your weapon to another officer or we can’t let you vote.
Dearing refused.
“I would never relinquish my weapon,” the officer said later.
Mallar stood his ground.
The officer said he left the civic center Friday feeling embarrassed and insulted. Dearing posted details of the incident on his Facebook page late Friday and immediately began receiving strong responses.
“One fellow officer, who is stationed in Iraq, said ‘What am I over here fighting for?’” Dearing said.
http://www.bangordailynews.com/stor...ote-after-refusing-to-surrender-weapon,157603
Until last Friday.
Dearing, who was patrolling his assigned beat near the Bangor Civic Center, decided to stop in and cast an early vote. He walked into the polling place in full uniform and stood in a short line with other voters.
One of the election officials told Dearing he couldn’t bring his gun inside. The officer said he thought it was a joke.
Election warden Wayne Mallar then approached Dearing and reiterated the request: Turn over your weapon to another officer or we can’t let you vote.
Dearing refused.
“I would never relinquish my weapon,” the officer said later.
Mallar stood his ground.
The officer said he left the civic center Friday feeling embarrassed and insulted. Dearing posted details of the incident on his Facebook page late Friday and immediately began receiving strong responses.
“One fellow officer, who is stationed in Iraq, said ‘What am I over here fighting for?’” Dearing said.
http://www.bangordailynews.com/stor...ote-after-refusing-to-surrender-weapon,157603