MilesVeritatis
New member
Hey guys, brief introduction.
I started OC'ing after finding this site a few years ago before I was 21 and was new to firearms. I had an attempted mugging I was fortunate enough to escape unscathed and decided to find the best way to defend myself in the future. Being over 18 and under 21, I determined that OC'ing was the best course of action for me. When I turned 21, I went through Basic Law Enforcement Training and got hired at a Sheriff's Office. I've been a Deputy for two years now, I've worked patrol, in the courthouse, and currently work in pistol/CCW permits. I've received training in all three areas, and recently had the privilege of taking a comprehensive firearms law course covering the new laws taught by John Aldridge (the retired assistant attorney general who writes the firearms publication I'm sure most of you have downloaded and read). I got to ask Mr. Aldridge some questions during and after the seminar, specifically regarding OC (as that relates to my experiences pre-LEO directly), and I want to share some tips with you guys from my experiences.
1. Myself, the majority of my coworkers, and most cops I know are very pro-2A. We know how long it takes us to respond to something, and we know armed citizens are less likely to become casualties in the event of a violent crime. But, that doesn't mean we're freed form an obligation to investigate if someone calls us and reports "a man with a gun." If that's the call I'm dispatched to, I'm going to locate you, ask you some questions, and I may ask to unload your gun while we're speaking. I don't want to disarm you or strip you of your rights, but I know how the wrong type of person will behave if I happen to strike the wrong nerve with a question, or someone who is actively hiding from or pitted against law enforcement. I'm at the disadvantage, because as soon as I walk up, you know who I am and why I'm there, I have no idea about you, though. If it's one of you guys just being chill, there's a 100% chance I'm going to make contact with the caller and inform them that I investigated and you were simply behaving peacefully and legally. I want people to understand your rights as well as you do, but causing a big scene will only hurt your case in the eyes of the disbelievers. Letting me talk to you, then inform the caller of my findings, will help you guys out a lot more than being standoffish, I promise.
2. This is easily mis-understood, so I asked Mr. Aldridge myself after the seminar. The new regulations that went into effect this past October relating to concealed carry ONLY apply to CCW permit holders WHILE carrying concealed. That distinction is important. If you have your CCW, you cannot OC into the previously prohibited places that changed with the law, the firearm must be concealed or else you are still in violation. I know that won't make you guys happy, especially not here, but remember, this is all politics. The members of the General Assembly who are pushing for expanded gun rights have a lot of hurdles to overcome. I'm about 90% certain that once these rules have been in place long enough to show that allowing concealed carry in these establishments hasn't caused any problems, then future expansions of gun rights will swiftly be on their heels. Sometimes slow and steady wins the race.
3. I carry all the time, even off duty, and I completely think you guys should too. I also think training is an important part of being a responsible firearms owner. That being said, I like our CCW model. Part of the new laws I completely agree with is that CCW records are no longer public, meaning you CCW holders' privacy is protected. I don't think that a class should be necessary to purchase, possess, or carry a gun; however, people are lazy, LEO's too. Difference is, we're required to go to training to keep our jobs. I view our CCW system as sort of a reward-for-effort system. Anyone is rightfully entitled to carry his gun, but to carry concealed, you have to at least take a class once to be briefed on firearms safety and laws, sort of like having a hunting license. I think it could cost less, but the General Assembly set the price, and working in permits, I DO know how much work goes into one of those things. Honestly, it's a toss up whether or not the Sheriff is even making money off permits at all when you count the man hours that go into one. Pistol Permits are a money hole through and through.
4. If you have any questions about firearms laws, feel free to call up your local Sheriff's Office permits unit. We deal with this stuff on a daily basis and frequently contact the Attorney General's Office when we hit a wall. I obviously can't speak for everyone out there, but at least if you live in my jurisdiction, I'm happy to answer your questions, and oftentimes talking to someone about guns is the highlight of my day, because the rest is mind numbing paperwork and red tape. Seriously guys, you may have a few forms to sign out that we may be picky over, but that's because once you pass us the torch, we have to carry it through the red tape minotaur's maze. And that guy is seriously pissy (we affectionately call him the SBI, but if you repeat that I'll deny every word).
That's what was on my mind at the moment, but if you guys have any questions, I'll do my best to answer (or at least point you to someone who can).
Stay safe!
I started OC'ing after finding this site a few years ago before I was 21 and was new to firearms. I had an attempted mugging I was fortunate enough to escape unscathed and decided to find the best way to defend myself in the future. Being over 18 and under 21, I determined that OC'ing was the best course of action for me. When I turned 21, I went through Basic Law Enforcement Training and got hired at a Sheriff's Office. I've been a Deputy for two years now, I've worked patrol, in the courthouse, and currently work in pistol/CCW permits. I've received training in all three areas, and recently had the privilege of taking a comprehensive firearms law course covering the new laws taught by John Aldridge (the retired assistant attorney general who writes the firearms publication I'm sure most of you have downloaded and read). I got to ask Mr. Aldridge some questions during and after the seminar, specifically regarding OC (as that relates to my experiences pre-LEO directly), and I want to share some tips with you guys from my experiences.
1. Myself, the majority of my coworkers, and most cops I know are very pro-2A. We know how long it takes us to respond to something, and we know armed citizens are less likely to become casualties in the event of a violent crime. But, that doesn't mean we're freed form an obligation to investigate if someone calls us and reports "a man with a gun." If that's the call I'm dispatched to, I'm going to locate you, ask you some questions, and I may ask to unload your gun while we're speaking. I don't want to disarm you or strip you of your rights, but I know how the wrong type of person will behave if I happen to strike the wrong nerve with a question, or someone who is actively hiding from or pitted against law enforcement. I'm at the disadvantage, because as soon as I walk up, you know who I am and why I'm there, I have no idea about you, though. If it's one of you guys just being chill, there's a 100% chance I'm going to make contact with the caller and inform them that I investigated and you were simply behaving peacefully and legally. I want people to understand your rights as well as you do, but causing a big scene will only hurt your case in the eyes of the disbelievers. Letting me talk to you, then inform the caller of my findings, will help you guys out a lot more than being standoffish, I promise.
2. This is easily mis-understood, so I asked Mr. Aldridge myself after the seminar. The new regulations that went into effect this past October relating to concealed carry ONLY apply to CCW permit holders WHILE carrying concealed. That distinction is important. If you have your CCW, you cannot OC into the previously prohibited places that changed with the law, the firearm must be concealed or else you are still in violation. I know that won't make you guys happy, especially not here, but remember, this is all politics. The members of the General Assembly who are pushing for expanded gun rights have a lot of hurdles to overcome. I'm about 90% certain that once these rules have been in place long enough to show that allowing concealed carry in these establishments hasn't caused any problems, then future expansions of gun rights will swiftly be on their heels. Sometimes slow and steady wins the race.
3. I carry all the time, even off duty, and I completely think you guys should too. I also think training is an important part of being a responsible firearms owner. That being said, I like our CCW model. Part of the new laws I completely agree with is that CCW records are no longer public, meaning you CCW holders' privacy is protected. I don't think that a class should be necessary to purchase, possess, or carry a gun; however, people are lazy, LEO's too. Difference is, we're required to go to training to keep our jobs. I view our CCW system as sort of a reward-for-effort system. Anyone is rightfully entitled to carry his gun, but to carry concealed, you have to at least take a class once to be briefed on firearms safety and laws, sort of like having a hunting license. I think it could cost less, but the General Assembly set the price, and working in permits, I DO know how much work goes into one of those things. Honestly, it's a toss up whether or not the Sheriff is even making money off permits at all when you count the man hours that go into one. Pistol Permits are a money hole through and through.
4. If you have any questions about firearms laws, feel free to call up your local Sheriff's Office permits unit. We deal with this stuff on a daily basis and frequently contact the Attorney General's Office when we hit a wall. I obviously can't speak for everyone out there, but at least if you live in my jurisdiction, I'm happy to answer your questions, and oftentimes talking to someone about guns is the highlight of my day, because the rest is mind numbing paperwork and red tape. Seriously guys, you may have a few forms to sign out that we may be picky over, but that's because once you pass us the torch, we have to carry it through the red tape minotaur's maze. And that guy is seriously pissy (we affectionately call him the SBI, but if you repeat that I'll deny every word).
That's what was on my mind at the moment, but if you guys have any questions, I'll do my best to answer (or at least point you to someone who can).
Stay safe!