BhmBill said:
No permits or anything necessary other than valid handgun registration.
Ack! That made me throw up in my mouth a little. You have handgun registration?
BhmBill said:
If something did come out of me being detained illegally, like me being arrested, if I have the laws ON HAND, I believe that might show the court that I knew what I was doing and that it was indeed legal. It certainly wouldn't hurt, would it?
I would hope that if it actually came to you standing in front of a judge (a
very remote possibility) that you would have a lawyer doing all your talking for you.
BhmBill said:
And so im clear, If I am indeed being detained, what information do I have to give the officer?
First, are you being detained? Ask the officer.
If he says no or refuses to answer, then you are not being detained. Either walk away, or if you’re still feeling unsure, ask, “Am I free to leave?”
If he says yes, that you are being detained, than ask him, “For suspicion of what crime are you detaining me?” The law requires he be able to articulate a specific crime he suspects you are involved in (The law does not require him to answer your question though). If you are being detained, provide only what the law requires and not one iota more. I cannot tell you what you should do, but I will tell you what I have done and what I intend to do in the future.
I was walking near the Museum of Glass in downtown Tacoma, one of the security people must have called the police because as I came around the corner there were several walking briskly towards me with security in tow. The officer who spoke to me was the same one who had told me several months previously that if he ever saw me openly carrying again that he would take the gun and leave it to me to get it back from a judge. He began by saying that he wasn’t going to take my gun (duh) and asking for my CPL. I pointed out that I wasn’t carrying a concealed weapon and declined to give it to him. He asked me again to see my CPL and I asked if I was being detained (should have asked that first). He said no, but if I would just give him my CPL that I could leave. I pointed out to him that I was already free to leave (since I wasn’t being detained) and that seemed to stump him a little. He then claimed he just wanted to check it for me to make sure it wasn’t expired. Beware of cops who suddenly want to do you a favor. His sergeant called him over, they spoke for about 30 seconds, and the sergeant wished me a nice day.
So, the short answer is to give the officer nothing more than you are required by law to give. Don’t engage him in a conversation, don’t try to teach him anything, don’t try to be his buddy. They have a lot of tools in their toolbox. They can use intimidation, they can suddenly be an old friend you haven’t seen since high school, they can try to humiliate you in a public setting, or any combination. If your state’s laws say you have to provide ID whenever it is requested by LE, then do so. If the law doesn’t require you to provide ID, then don’t.
