Damn straight, Rich. Seems like gun owners are too often the ones being harassed by folks bending the law to make it fit their own purposes. Luckily, in most cases, the law is actually on our side, we just can't be afraid to use it.I don't like the idea of us as law abiding citizens always being on the defensive, we need to strike back and show that we know our rights and that we will not stand for having them trampled upon by anyone. Use the law for what it is for.
I have NEVER understood how people who are supposedly terrified of guns, and those of us that carry them, will summon the courage toapproach an armed person that they don't know and start spewing their nonsense.Also, I have this 'bad feeling' about some of these radical anti freedom people that they will do or say just about anything to a law enforcement officer to get an open carrier arrested. I think the best (and probably only) way to deal with someone like this if they make trouble for anyone open carrying is to immediately call the police. After all, the police are on our side. We are abiding by the laws. Someone harassing you or threatening you is not.
Now, if they are willing to have reasonable discourse and possibly be educated, they should be treated respectfully and politely. But if they are only willing to state false claims and make a scene, they should be arrested for disturbing the peace immediately. We need to ban together with the police and make each other work for each other. When these people cause a scene, respond in kind by having them arrested. There needs to be a clear line in the sand that if you infringe upon a law abiding citizen's freedoms that you will be arrested (as the law intends).
I say this with two incidents in mind that I read on this forum. There was one about an open carrier walking to their car in Walmart and a woman chasing him down and asking him if he was a cop and then causing a scene. It is obviously a matter of personal judgement, but we should not be jumping in our car with our tail between our legs. We should be offering to assist them by calling the police ourselves and having them come down and explain the law that chasing someone to their car and harassing them is not legal.
I also recall the recent story at home depot of a 'possible' LEO telling someone they couldn't carry and making a scene as well. Impersonating an officer is a serious crime, and being an off duty officer who is harassing a law abiding citizen with false legal information is a serious issue that needs to be addressed with their commanding officer. In that case I would have liked to see the person put the 'officer' on the defensive and ask him for his badge information and if he continued to make a scene by ignoring the data given or by not giving you his ID, call the local police and tell them what is transpiring. Remember, the law is on your side even if you don't believe it. You may have to educate the responding officers, but never let a lie go unchallenged.
Anyway, that is my two cents. The police are always more likely to be on the side of the 'victim' who calls police first. I don't like the idea of us as law abiding citizens always being on the defensive, we need to strike back and show that we know our rights and that we will not stand for having them trampled upon by anyone. Use the law for what it is for.
Rich B wrote:
Also, I have this 'bad feeling' about some of these radical anti freedom people that they will do or say just about anything to a law enforcement officer to get an open carrier arrested. I think the best (and probably only) way to deal with someone like this if they make trouble for anyone open carrying is to immediately call the police. After all, the police are on our side. We are abiding by the laws. Someone harassing you or threatening you is not.
Now, if they are willing to have reasonable discourse and possibly be educated, they should be treated respectfully and politely. But if they are only willing to state false claims and make a scene, they should be arrested for disturbing the peace immediately. We need to ban together with the police and make each other work for each other. When these people cause a scene, respond in kind by having them arrested. There needs to be a clear line in the sand that if you infringe upon a law abiding citizen's freedoms that you will be arrested (as the law intends).
I say this with two incidents in mind that I read on this forum. There was one about an open carrier walking to their car in Walmart and a woman chasing him down and asking him if he was a cop and then causing a scene. It is obviously a matter of personal judgement, but we should not be jumping in our car with our tail between our legs. We should be offering to assist them by calling the police ourselves and having them come down and explain the law that chasing someone to their car and harassing them is not legal.
I also recall the recent story at home depot of a 'possible' LEO telling someone they couldn't carry and making a scene as well. Impersonating an officer is a serious crime, and being an off duty officer who is harassing a law abiding citizen with false legal information is a serious issue that needs to be addressed with their commanding officer. In that case I would have liked to see the person put the 'officer' on the defensive and ask him for his badge information and if he continued to make a scene by ignoring the data given or by not giving you his ID, call the local police and tell them what is transpiring. Remember, the law is on your side even if you don't believe it. You may have to educate the responding officers, but never let a lie go unchallenged.
Anyway, that is my two cents. The police are always more likely to be on the side of the 'victim' who calls police first. I don't like the idea of us as law abiding citizens always being on the defensive, we need to strike back and show that we know our rights and that we will not stand for having them trampled upon by anyone. Use the law for what it is for.
I have NEVER understood how people who are supposedly terrified of guns, and those of us that carry them, will summon the courage toapproach an armed person that they don't know and start spewing their nonsense.
I guess we gun owners have to work harder on being intimidating and scary.
mg
X2!! I don't think i'll be chasing down any personoc'ing to ask if he's a LEO!! Some people are brainless............:lol: