I have a serious problem saying that my whole coast or even my whole state is anti-gun or anti-OC due to the actions of a handful of ignorant people.
I just got this off a New Mexico thread... "This is probably the best example for the cop who is "afraid of someone with a gun." To his irrational mind, the presence of a firearm in a citizen's hands is a de facto public safety emergency.
This fellow needs to go back to New York or Massachusetts where such deranged, paranoia is pervasive. Such an attitude is easily shown to be irrational."
http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/showthread.php?73887-Open-carry-trouble&p=1374080#post1374080
The post goes on: "1. Armed does NOT imply Dangerous. This is New Mexico; unless otherwise disenfranchised, private citizens have a constitutional right to keep and openly carry firearms. There are a few restrictions on concealed carry, but they do not apply to a person's home, vehicle, the permitted actions on property of another, or most public places. We also have licensed concealed carry and honor similar licenses from other states. Such constitutionally protected or licensed acts cannot by themselves reasonably merit any government intrusion any more than saying "hello" (1st Amendment) or driving a car (66-5-2 NMSA).† There must be more: an objective, individualized, articulable reasoned suspicion that this person is dangerous.
2. There is no reason for officer safety to be compromised by honoring your oath to uphold a person's constitutional rights. As a preliminary posture on this issue, some officer's rightly say, "My first duty is to go home safely tonight." They are wrong! Their first duty and your first duty, a sworn duty, is to honor and uphold the U.S. Constitution. Be observant; act reasonably on what you observe. Document that process. Legal intrusions will be upheld by the courts.
3. Feel Threatened? Document Why! The facts you observe will dictate whether you feel threatened or not.
In some irrational jurisdictions such as New York City, a citizen's mere possession of a firearm may ground reasonable suspicion that he's breaking the law and that he is dangerous. However, in New Mexico, such a conclusion is both unjustified and illegal. If a concern for your safety is based only on a person's possession of a firearm or this feeling is only based on a hunch: increase your security-awareness posture. But a compulsory intrusion is not justified. If your concern is based on objective, individualized, articulable facts, then note them and record that you have formed the requisite reasonable suspicion and act accordingly. However,
absent at least reasonable suspicion of the threat of danger, you cannot legally interfere with a person's right to be left alone."
Dude... it's beyond common knowledge that the anti-gun attitude is pervasive thruout the eastern states. Pay attention to details.
