fire suppressor
Regular Member
On my way home from work tonight I stopped at a local gas station for a soda. Still in my security uniform and duty belt (has everything cops carry minus a gun) I walked in got my soda and got in line to check out. I was second in line right behind a local Police Officer who was also getting a late night soda. A casual conversation started started by the Officer "how did your night go, any trouble makers tonight" so for and so on. We walked out of the gas station together and continued our conversation next to his vehicle. Our conversation stayed very casual for several minutes but eventually turned to work. The Officer started comparing our duty belts and asked me what type of gun I carry. I told the Officer work dose not allow me to carry a gun but I told him I always carry when off duty.
After a few more minutes the Officer asked what I thought about people who open carry while I am at work. I explained to the Officer how being a open carrier my self it dose not bother me and in fact I welcome the sight of guns while I am at work, I told him because I can't carry while on the clock it makes me feel better to know there is one near by. This got us started about open carry and the conversation changed. The Officer quoted RCW 9.41.270 in what seemed to be word for word in its entirety. The Officer then looked over at me and said "I know its legal for people to open carry but you understand if I get a 911 call for MWAG and I show up and tell you to cover it up you have to, right?"
I disagreed and asked him to explain he told me if someone had a problem with me carrying a gun in a holster and called 911 that would then be considered "displaying a weapon capable of producing bodily harm" and thus illegal by RCW 9.41.270. (his words) He then told me because he is a Officer of the law if I disobey a direct order from him I am then disobeying the law and that too is illegal. He then admitted he could not arrest me for open carrying but told me he could and would condensate my hand gun, write me a ticket, fine and detain me "as long as the law allows" for disobeying his "lawful order to cover it up" (again his words)
We talked for a few more minutes before he got in his police car and drove away. As he was walking away he told me "I'm just trying to look out for ya I'd hate to see you in jail because you misunderstood the law"
After a few more minutes the Officer asked what I thought about people who open carry while I am at work. I explained to the Officer how being a open carrier my self it dose not bother me and in fact I welcome the sight of guns while I am at work, I told him because I can't carry while on the clock it makes me feel better to know there is one near by. This got us started about open carry and the conversation changed. The Officer quoted RCW 9.41.270 in what seemed to be word for word in its entirety. The Officer then looked over at me and said "I know its legal for people to open carry but you understand if I get a 911 call for MWAG and I show up and tell you to cover it up you have to, right?"
I disagreed and asked him to explain he told me if someone had a problem with me carrying a gun in a holster and called 911 that would then be considered "displaying a weapon capable of producing bodily harm" and thus illegal by RCW 9.41.270. (his words) He then told me because he is a Officer of the law if I disobey a direct order from him I am then disobeying the law and that too is illegal. He then admitted he could not arrest me for open carrying but told me he could and would condensate my hand gun, write me a ticket, fine and detain me "as long as the law allows" for disobeying his "lawful order to cover it up" (again his words)
We talked for a few more minutes before he got in his police car and drove away. As he was walking away he told me "I'm just trying to look out for ya I'd hate to see you in jail because you misunderstood the law"