I figure this is the best time as ever to introduce myself. My name is Sean O. a few of you may recognize or know me. I've been a long time reader and wanted to make sure I read everything here before posting. This situation to me seems a lot like Rich B's at the Old Saybrook Starbucks. However, there was no call to authorities in my case. This is the run down on my confrontation with Bridgeport PD while Open Carrying on Jan. 13, 2012 at about 11:10a.m at La Roma Deli in Bridgeport.
I walked into the pizza place and noticed the officer placing an order, kept about my business and paid him no mind. I walked to the back of the store and grabbed two sodas out of the cooler. I then walked up to the counter, which the LEO already had moved from, and told the lady at the counter what I had ordered. I'm standing at the counter for about 3 mins., she comes over with my order and rings it up on the register. I go to hand the lady my money and get a tap on the shoulder.
Officer R. Ryan Badge #926: (pointing at my pistol) "What's that?"
Me: "A pistol."
Ofcr. Ryan: "Are you a police officer?"
Me: "No, I do have my CT pistol permit though."
Ofcr. Ryan: "Let's go, conceal it, cover it up."
Me: "No, sir, there is no law in the state of CT that requires my weapon be concealed."
Ofcr. Ryan: (smuggly) "I don't think so, police officers aren't allowed to show their weapon and you think you are? Conceal it now."
Me: "No, sir, CT State Statutes say nothing about concealing your weapon. If you contact Sgt. Nikola she is aware of this and will explain it to you."
Ofcr. Ryan: "The law says it has to be concealed, who's the police officer here, ME NOT YOU. Now cover it up now or you'll be arrested"
Me: "Sir, I am going to conceal but only under duress." (he turns away) "What's your name and badge number, by the way?"
Ofcr. Ryan: "Officer Ryan!"
Me: "Badge 926? Thank you."
Ofcr Ryan: "Matter of fact give me your permit!"
Me: "Am I under arrest or being detained?"
Ofcr Ryan: "Yes, you're not going anywhere right now."
Me: (hand him my permit) "Would you like my ID also?"
He takes my ID.
Fifteens minutes of him talking on the phone and letting my pizza get cold, he gets shut down. I asked him if I was "all set" and he gave me my permit and ID and started to walk away. At which point he asked if I was recording him and I told him yes I am. Some people have said asking for his name and badge # escalated the situation and got me detained.I still don't believe he had RAS to detain me, because I asked for his name and badge #? What changed in the 2 seconds before I asked for his information? All of a sudden my permit is necessary. Sounds to me like(I know it was) retaliation for possibly filing a complaint. Which I did not say I was going to do. Although I guess it is implied when you ask for name and badge #. I video taped all of this on my phone.
I walked into the pizza place and noticed the officer placing an order, kept about my business and paid him no mind. I walked to the back of the store and grabbed two sodas out of the cooler. I then walked up to the counter, which the LEO already had moved from, and told the lady at the counter what I had ordered. I'm standing at the counter for about 3 mins., she comes over with my order and rings it up on the register. I go to hand the lady my money and get a tap on the shoulder.
Officer R. Ryan Badge #926: (pointing at my pistol) "What's that?"
Me: "A pistol."
Ofcr. Ryan: "Are you a police officer?"
Me: "No, I do have my CT pistol permit though."
Ofcr. Ryan: "Let's go, conceal it, cover it up."
Me: "No, sir, there is no law in the state of CT that requires my weapon be concealed."
Ofcr. Ryan: (smuggly) "I don't think so, police officers aren't allowed to show their weapon and you think you are? Conceal it now."
Me: "No, sir, CT State Statutes say nothing about concealing your weapon. If you contact Sgt. Nikola she is aware of this and will explain it to you."
Ofcr. Ryan: "The law says it has to be concealed, who's the police officer here, ME NOT YOU. Now cover it up now or you'll be arrested"
Me: "Sir, I am going to conceal but only under duress." (he turns away) "What's your name and badge number, by the way?"
Ofcr. Ryan: "Officer Ryan!"
Me: "Badge 926? Thank you."
Ofcr Ryan: "Matter of fact give me your permit!"
Me: "Am I under arrest or being detained?"
Ofcr Ryan: "Yes, you're not going anywhere right now."
Me: (hand him my permit) "Would you like my ID also?"
He takes my ID.
Fifteens minutes of him talking on the phone and letting my pizza get cold, he gets shut down. I asked him if I was "all set" and he gave me my permit and ID and started to walk away. At which point he asked if I was recording him and I told him yes I am. Some people have said asking for his name and badge # escalated the situation and got me detained.I still don't believe he had RAS to detain me, because I asked for his name and badge #? What changed in the 2 seconds before I asked for his information? All of a sudden my permit is necessary. Sounds to me like(I know it was) retaliation for possibly filing a complaint. Which I did not say I was going to do. Although I guess it is implied when you ask for name and badge #. I video taped all of this on my phone.
Last edited: