I think this incident should lead the "thinkers" amongst us to a volunteer effort to educate local LEO's in the differences between "...a replica thereof..." and a Ruger Vaquero/Blackhawk and the BATFE's rulings on the matter.
FIRST OF ALL (emphasis deliberately added); one should not adopt an attitude of "Imagonna SCHOOL these tinhorns!" You are attempting to explain some mildly esoteric differences amongst the two. Oh by the way, NOTHING should be loaded and RTF!
(Forgive me, but I see in some of the points made in this thread an attitude of "These guys are supposed to know EVERYTHING!" And the existence of a powder-and-capped Pietta-built Remington NMA in the hands of a civilian
that they never met before is something that would rightfully cause "concern" amongst the LEO's in this session)
I'd produce said Remington NMA (because that's what I own) in a completely unloaded condition and compare it to some "standard modern" revolver; say an S&W 629, because that's also what I own and sometimes carry, and explain the differences thereof. Should I somehow manage to add a cartridge conversion cylinder from Taylors (gotta chase a few more spiders out of my wallet without SWMBO noticing), it would also be used in this demonstration.
The point is to make sure they understand that, while it is a "non-firearm", it can be dangerous. Maybe not in the same manner as a .45ACP S&W 625-2 loaded up with BP behind a Winchester SXT -I guess they call it "PDX" now- hollowpoint; but dangerous nonetheless. C'mon, there are many threads about using a cut-down Colt 1860 for personal defense on this page; let them know that it COULD happen.
The idea is to put EVERYTHING out there in a no-holds-barred manner, including that only "BP nuts" like us would think of this stuff; and that WE are sharing with them. If we talk to them about it, maybe invite whomever is interested to the range, they develop an idea that we aren't the typical 'critters' that they are likely to meet on the job. I've always maintained - thanks to my parents' teaching me - that by-and-large the LEO's can be (and would RATHER be) friendly.
Think about it realistically.... how many guys put on a badge just so they can wear a Glock (or whatever, our County S.O. guys are limited to a very few models of 1911A1's) and push people around? Most of the guys and ladies put on their uniforms "To Serve and Protect" in reality. The idea of such a "training" is to help them understand the laws and regulations so that they can, instead of worrying about "that guy", keep the peace for us; which is what they are paid to do.
I'd be more than happy to do this in my own County; but I really don't think it's necessary. Our present County Sheriff - a former Marine who left the Service and decided to stay in our town and take up Law Enforcement (exactly like the now-retired Sheriff before him) - has been known to shoot in SASS matches.
Consequently, I'd bet he knows the drill already, and could make sure "his people" are already informed.
Y'all can keep arguing back-and-forth about this if you want. But I'm thinking that doing something positive about the issue seems to be more useful; and can only help us in the long run.
As an aside, all I can say is that "Texas is weird"! You can carry concealed, but not open???? As long as the lead isn't already flyin;' I'd think the guys in the uniforms would like to know "Who has what and what are they gonna do with it?" just as much as anybody. Maybe it's just me.
I live in a state where my old CCW permit is no longer worth all that much; ANYBODY (as long as they can legally own a firearm) can conceal a firearm on their person and walk around like the guy taking his wife's Poodle to the veterinarian, as long as the vet hasn't posted a sign prohibiting weapons.
Arizona has "Out-Texas'd TEXAS"???? WOW!