Im a LEO in NYS, which, you all know, has the dumbest gun laws going. Everyone needs to remember that LEO's only enforce the laws. Its the politicians that the voters elect, that make the laws. I don't agree with every law in the state, but I have a job to do, and I want to do it well, so i follow orders. I think that is all it really comes down to with most LEO's. We just want to do a good job at work, we take pride in the job that we do, just like everyone else.........
ronmanci-
No one will dispute your statement regarding NYS gun laws and to a point, LEO's having the responsibility to enforce the laws that are on the books.
Where the problem is the greatest here in Washington State, its with those officers that don't know, or don't care what the laws are. Officers that don't like the idea of anyone other than a Police Officer openly carrying a firearm will come up with all sorts of reasons to harass the carrier. We have a law in Washington State that makes it a gross misdemeanor for anyone to threaten confinement or financial harm to anyone, in order to prevent them from going about a lawful activity. It's Washington's Coercion Statute yet it's violated frequently when officers "detain" open carriers and threaten them with arrest. with the admonition of "tell it to the judge" (thus the financial harm due to attorney/court costs).
Officers in this State are supposedly taught that OC is legal yet many still make it their job to stop and intimidate those who do so. Are these officers "Just doing their job?" In this state, most of the animosity comes from actions such as this and the "fabrications" that the officers use to justify them.
You'll also find that there are those that are very vocal and seem to have more negative encounters than others. That's human nature. Some are naturally confrontational and others can remain cool regardless of the situation. Just like the ranks of Police Officers.
Big difference between laws in NY and WA. Here OC legal and the LEO's should act accordingly. There, the people have some work to do with their laws.