steele
Regular Member
Boy, when it rains it really pours...
I was stopped about Open Carrying, for the very first time today, in Ventura. Apparently, the local police received MULTIPLE phone calls regarding my Open Carrying, despite my keeping to myself and otherwise being quite inconspicuous. Things got a little hairy, but it ended well.
There are some events that I could get into that would put the LEOs in quite a bad light, but I will refrain from mentioning any of these details or the names of the Officers involved. I realize they could have made my life quite miserable; and they appeared to sincerely learn from the entire experience. At the same time there are some things that I learned, which all OCers in Ventura County should know....or be vigilant not to forget.
First: never, ever OC without your video camera ready to go. My camera was safe and sound in the car, of no use to me during the stop.
Second: don't assume the local police are educated, as to Open Carry. I had carried in Ventura for some time now, with no contact by law enforcement. So I ASSUMED they were up to speed on the practice. I know... One of the Officers had recently moved to Ventura from another state and had no idea what I was talking about. By the time we were done, he had learned what an "e-check" was; and the finer distinctions between concealed and open carry.
Third: bring the handouts with the law printed on it. Again, mine was safely in the car, of no use to either me or the LEOs. They almost hauled me in, over some confusion as to whether ammunition could be carried on your person, while Open Carrying. The only thing that saved my butt (aside from being polite), was my familiarity with the pertinent law and insistence as to the lawfulness of my actions.
Officer Tip: one suggested I be careful to keep my large t-shirt from covering the firearm, holstered on my belt, or else it might be construed as concealed carry. I don't think my t-shirt had ever covered the firearm, but tucking the t-shirt in might not be such a bad idea.
Once things were ironed out, they proved to be quite friendly and conciliatory. Although Open Carry was still quite novel to them, I got the impression they secretly admired it. They were openly in favor of citizens with firearms, in general, for self defense. With a little more positive, exposure, with Open Carriers, the whole controversy will likely soon be a sidenote of American and Californian history.
Overall, the contact turned out to be a positive one. I will continue to live and Open Carry, in Ventura County.
I was stopped about Open Carrying, for the very first time today, in Ventura. Apparently, the local police received MULTIPLE phone calls regarding my Open Carrying, despite my keeping to myself and otherwise being quite inconspicuous. Things got a little hairy, but it ended well.
There are some events that I could get into that would put the LEOs in quite a bad light, but I will refrain from mentioning any of these details or the names of the Officers involved. I realize they could have made my life quite miserable; and they appeared to sincerely learn from the entire experience. At the same time there are some things that I learned, which all OCers in Ventura County should know....or be vigilant not to forget.
First: never, ever OC without your video camera ready to go. My camera was safe and sound in the car, of no use to me during the stop.
Second: don't assume the local police are educated, as to Open Carry. I had carried in Ventura for some time now, with no contact by law enforcement. So I ASSUMED they were up to speed on the practice. I know... One of the Officers had recently moved to Ventura from another state and had no idea what I was talking about. By the time we were done, he had learned what an "e-check" was; and the finer distinctions between concealed and open carry.
Third: bring the handouts with the law printed on it. Again, mine was safely in the car, of no use to either me or the LEOs. They almost hauled me in, over some confusion as to whether ammunition could be carried on your person, while Open Carrying. The only thing that saved my butt (aside from being polite), was my familiarity with the pertinent law and insistence as to the lawfulness of my actions.
Officer Tip: one suggested I be careful to keep my large t-shirt from covering the firearm, holstered on my belt, or else it might be construed as concealed carry. I don't think my t-shirt had ever covered the firearm, but tucking the t-shirt in might not be such a bad idea.
Once things were ironed out, they proved to be quite friendly and conciliatory. Although Open Carry was still quite novel to them, I got the impression they secretly admired it. They were openly in favor of citizens with firearms, in general, for self defense. With a little more positive, exposure, with Open Carriers, the whole controversy will likely soon be a sidenote of American and Californian history.
Overall, the contact turned out to be a positive one. I will continue to live and Open Carry, in Ventura County.
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