Another video: cop vs open carry guy:: discussion

[Special T]

A right not used is a right lost. 

[BIGINNER]

I think the comments that says both sides handled poorly are really summing it up. Demonstating your rights in this manner is simply never very successfull. By that, I mean both parties end up looking stupid. Not sure how many folks were toting weapons at the pro rally in Olympia but I haven't seen a single video clip of this type of confrontation. Down there.....a pro rally.....proper time and place. Side of the street...it just doesn't maky anyone look good.

I open carry on the side of streets, gas stations, parks,....  should I stop?   

[JLS]

Anyone that is going open carry would be well advised to carry a copy of the RCWs that deal with firearms carry, so that IF you run into a confrontational officer like Officer Horn you can have him read it in front of you.  Keep in mind that being detained for reasonable suspicion is far different than evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.

[predatorpro]

no need to comfront someone when they are not breaking a law! someone called in and reported someone excercising their right as an american to open carry! what is their to check on? that cop had absolutely no reason to believe he was doing anything illegal! first step! call the cops when someone is breaking the law! the response to the caller should have been like "good for him! good to see americans following the law!"

[h20hunter]

Beginner.....since we haven't seen you on the news I would say absolutely not...you should not stop. You are obviously choosing to exercise your rights in a non confrontational manner.

[pianoman9701]

There are two discussion here. Should I open carry and when? What is the job of the police regarding someone who open carries?

The job of the police is to protect society within the limits of the law, the Constitution being the law of the land. It's prudent for an officer, upon getting a complaint to check out the person with the firearm to the best of his ability while maintaining the Constitutional rights of the open-carrier. However, police not only don't often have my Constitutional rights in mind when they stop me, they're often ignorant of what they are or why they're important. This was clearly the case in this video.

The other question, should I carry is an individual question, but certainly a person's right, depending on local restrictions to the contrary. Is it bad to make a point by doing so? Maybe, maybe not. The cops in this video clearly could benefit from more exposure to legal carry citizens. What makes the guy in this video different from any citizen who open carries for protection? Nothing. But, the stigma that the media and unfortunately, our present government has put on gun ownership is what causes the confusion about our rights, not the person exercising them.

I prefer to look at it in light of our other rights. Would you consider someone who exercises their 1st Amendment rights to be a trouble-maker for going to church whenever they feel like it, or for protesting the actions of our government by walking up and down the sidewalk in front of the federal building with a sign? If your answer is "no", then it should probably be the same for our 2nd Amendment, as well.

[FisherKing]

I don't think an officer is violating the person's rights by simply asking him his name and age or asking for ID.  Once they find out that he is legally able to posses a pistol, then he can be on his way.........(at least that is how I see it).

Actually Curly they are.

 Only in a police state do you have to show ID, you have the freedom to be anonymous in the United State. We are a nation of laws. Unless they are making a "terry stop" based on probable cause, only they do have the right to detain you.  Especially in a digital age every time you show an officer and id it can be logged and even placed on the police blotter, "so and so was carrying a gun, was released."  Being anonymous is something to cherish, because it really is freedom.

[Smossy]

Hmm, Wonder If Id get stopped by a cop of I was to open carry my bow.

[h20hunter]

You better not have an arrow nocked. They would think you were going to poke a bunch of holes in something you shouldn't somewhere that you weren't allowed to be.

[400out]

what a dick! neither are very smart but personally I think they should beat the camera guy with his pistol for making us all look like idiots   

[ellensburgpo]

I don't think an officer is violating the person's rights by simply asking him his name and age or asking for ID.  Once they find out that he is legally able to posses a pistol, then he can be on his way.........(at least that is how I see it).

Actually Curly they are.

 Only in a police state do you have to show ID, you have the freedom to be anonymous in the United State. We are a nation of laws. Unless they are making a "terry stop" based on probable cause, only they do have the right to detain you.  Especially in a digital age every time you show an officer and id it can be logged and even placed on the police blotter, "so and so was carrying a gun, was released."  Being anonymous is something to cherish, because it really is freedom.

Probable cause and terry stop are not the same thing. They are two different thresholds.

[predatorpro]

I don't think an officer is violating the person's rights by simply asking him his name and age or asking for ID.  Once they find out that he is legally able to posses a pistol, then he can be on his way.........(at least that is how I see it).

Actually Curly they are.

 Only in a police state do you have to show ID, you have the freedom to be anonymous in the United State. We are a nation of laws. Unless they are making a "terry stop" based on probable cause, only they do have the right to detain you.  Especially in a digital age every time you show an officer and id it can be logged and even placed on the police blotter, "so and so was carrying a gun, was released."  Being anonymous is something to cherish, because it really is freedom.

they need to have probable cause that he has commited a crime...in no way had did that cop have any probable cause that this man had broken the law... the cop should have shook the mans hand for being a proud american and exercising his rights! we could use more people like that guy!

[pianoman9701]

what a dick! neither are very smart but personally I think they should beat the camera guy with his pistol for making us all look like idiots   

Really? Beat the camera man because this guy, regardless of how idiotic, is exercising his legal rights under the most valuable laws of our land? So much for the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Amendments then, as well, eh?

[Smossy]

You better not have an arrow nocked. They would think you were going to poke a bunch of holes in something you shouldn't somewhere that you weren't allowed to be.

lol 

[JLS]

I don't think an officer is violating the person's rights by simply asking him his name and age or asking for ID.  Once they find out that he is legally able to posses a pistol, then he can be on his way.........(at least that is how I see it).

Actually Curly they are.

 Only in a police state do you have to show ID, you have the freedom to be anonymous in the United State. We are a nation of laws. Unless they are making a "terry stop" based on probable cause, only they do have the right to detain you.  Especially in a digital age every time you show an officer and id it can be logged and even placed on the police blotter, "so and so was carrying a gun, was released."  Being anonymous is something to cherish, because it really is freedom.

they need to have probable cause that he has commited a crime...in no way had did that cop have any probable cause that this man had broken the law... the cop should have shook the mans hand for being a proud american and exercising his rights! we could use more people like that guy!

You're a little off here, probable cause is needed to effect an arrest.  Reasonable suspicion is needed to detain and investigate.