Rich B
Regular Member
Went to the Old Saybrook Police Department to pick up FOI documents on Saturday Nov 19th. I was not concealing my firearm as there are no laws or ordinances mandating I do so.
The officer/dispatcher behind the glass at the front desk decided he 'needed to see my permit'. I informed him 'no he didn't'. This happened twice. I left without detention or further harassment.
LEOs in CT have no reason or powers to request pistol permits from people who are carrying their firearms unconcealed. This officer has hopefully learned that. If not, I advise him to read the CGS and Terry v. Ohio. This officer chose to request my permit, but (wisely) decided not to escalate the matter when I refused to provide it.
I had recently discussed the behavior of Old Saybrook's officers with Chief Spera and he told me that he 'expects someone open carrying to be treated like any other member of the public'.
Listen to the audio and ask yourself if any other member of the public would have been asked for further ID (I already provided my driver's license to prove who I was for the pickup) for simply walking into the PD lobby.
You can hear the officer/dispatcher request my permit and get denied at around :30 and 2:50. He follows the second one with a loud "Whats that?" as if to ask what I said. It is clear he heard me both times. It is also clear he is has no legal obligation or power to demand anything from me.
Audio
The officer/dispatcher behind the glass at the front desk decided he 'needed to see my permit'. I informed him 'no he didn't'. This happened twice. I left without detention or further harassment.
LEOs in CT have no reason or powers to request pistol permits from people who are carrying their firearms unconcealed. This officer has hopefully learned that. If not, I advise him to read the CGS and Terry v. Ohio. This officer chose to request my permit, but (wisely) decided not to escalate the matter when I refused to provide it.
I had recently discussed the behavior of Old Saybrook's officers with Chief Spera and he told me that he 'expects someone open carrying to be treated like any other member of the public'.
Listen to the audio and ask yourself if any other member of the public would have been asked for further ID (I already provided my driver's license to prove who I was for the pickup) for simply walking into the PD lobby.
You can hear the officer/dispatcher request my permit and get denied at around :30 and 2:50. He follows the second one with a loud "Whats that?" as if to ask what I said. It is clear he heard me both times. It is also clear he is has no legal obligation or power to demand anything from me.
Audio
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