Almost got arrested in DC

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Lennyjoe

Lennyjoe

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Whoooo weee, almost got jacked in DC.

Heres the story. I went to DC today to take in some of the Nations landmarks. Nice day out, not too hot.

So as I walk up to the Botanical gardens to take a leak prior to the Capitol building tour (only bathroom close) I have to go thru an X-ray doohicky before entering the building. I go and put camera and cell phone on the conveyor belt and walk thru the other machine. Beep goes the alarm and I have to go back and unload the pockets. So what did I have in my back pocket? A 4" folding Buck knife. My only weapon for defense since I cant carry here like I can everywhere else.

So they pull me to the side, ask stupid questions and I give them my drivers license. Of course Im from Ohio and my DL is from Ohio but I tell them that I live in Arizona. Added to the confusion for them thats for sure. Anyway, I guess 3" is the longest a folding blade can be so they detain me and run a check on me.

No bad news comes thru the background check so they confiscate it for distruction. I say, go right ahead. I dont really need it anyway cause I can legally carry in my home state anyway.


Good thing it was the Botanical gardens instead of the Capitol building. At the Capitol building they had a trash can for contraband.

Lessons learned.

1. Make sure you know the laws where your going for knifes and guns.
2. Check your pockets before you go into the sheeple zone.

All is well that ends well I guess huh.

Back to Arizona and my Kimber tomorrow.
 
I had a similar situation recently at Ft. McHenry. There to celebrate the birth of the "Star Spangled Banner" and remember the men lost to the cause.

Instead, I (an active duty soldier) take crap for having a pocket knife and a flashlight on me!

You're a lucky man to be able to leave and go back to a free state!

Consider the loss of your knife a small price to pay with the BS that we are forced to deal with on a daily basis here.

Really makes you want to visit the Nation's Capital again doesn't it?:banghead:
 
Good God, last January I had an out-of-town friend come into NYC and I met her at the station. Of course, first thing she wants to do is see the Empire State Building. Hoo boy, I wasn't expecting this, at least not right away before I'd had the chance to ditch all my metallic articles at home or somesuch. But she's insistant, so we head on over there.

She gets through the checkpoint on the ground floor by putting her things in her purse to be X-rayed. On the X-ray machine is a sign with big pictographs "No Guns" "No Knives." I'm getting anxious (you'll see why) but as it turns out the sign shows a rather sizeable sheath knife and I'm carrying only folders. Anyway, she gets through, and it's my turn. Now, when I know I'm about to be wanded somewhere, I usually plan ahead. When I fly, I do so in sneakers with everything metallic in my bags. I was in no way prepared for the ESB checkpoints. I held up the line for a good long WHILE.

Here's what was on me:

-Keys
-Cell phone
-Loose change
-3" Gerber AR 3.00 folder
-SpyderCard (in wallet)
-Gerber Legend multiplier on belt
-Whoops, belt buckle, off goes the belt
-Whoops, belt holding pants up
-CD Player in jacket pocket
-Headphones for same
-Extra batteries for same
-Camera
-Cigarette lighter I didn't even know I had
-Watch
-Steel-toed boots
-Countless metallic studs, buttons, and snaps on jeans and jacket that were nevertheless deemed alarm-worthy by the detectors

I went through the arch five times, was wanded three times, patted down twice, and in the end they just let me through. Some joker in the back of the line started clapping, so I turned and gave them a sweeping bow, one hand still holding up my pants. "Thanks, folks, shows are nightly, tip your waitress." Then I hobbled off to get our tickets to the observation deck.

Here's the best part: Not only was that only the FIRST checkpoints, but it apparantly only served to prevent terrorist bombing/shooting/knifing of the ticket office, because after he had out passes we were dumped right back into the lobby. Had to go through a second checkpoint to get to the observation deck. ::slaps forehead::
 
I got stopped in the Empire State Bld for carrying a Cold Steel Voyager with a 4 " blade. They just told me they would hold it for me and gave it back 5 min later.
 
I went to D.C.once back in about 1987. I not sayin anything except I did park close enough to go see the vietnam wall. When I think back (knowing now about some of their laws that I was completely ignorant of) I wil never go back unless their laws change. :scrutiny:
 
Was in D.C. in March or so, and my friend was driving us around downtown. We stopped at a light behind a Capital Police cruiser, and he looks over at me and says, "There's a good chance that you're about five feet away from a G36K right now... and that's as close as you're ever gonna get."

:cuss:

(We need a crying smiley)
 
Heck, SW: it's even very different a mere quarter-mile away from DC in the Old Dominion! DC laws suck, but maybe Larry Craig's bill will get passed and reform their gun laws. Despite the tearing of hair and wailing now being heard. :rolleyes:

TC
TFL Survivor
 
Capital Police cruiser, and he looks over at me and says, "There's a good chance that you're about five feet away from a G36K right now... and that's as close as you're ever gonna get."
Click to expand...
What an elitist AH. What would prompt a Capitol Police officer to say something like that?!
 
Wow. I'm stunned that there is a metal detector at the Botanical gardens!! Who would think that such a place would be a target for terrorists?
 
redhead - The Botanic Garden is on the Mall, just a stone's throw across First Street from the U.S. Capitol. It's a building that consists primarily of a gigantic glass greenhouse.

JT
 
Actually, at the Botanical gardens they might also be concerned with folks helping themselves to the produce, so to speak. I bet if the find clippers or a grafting knife on ya you'll have to do some fancy talkin' ahead of you.

You wouldnt think it, but exotic plants get "poached" pretty regularly. I am guessing they have orchid and rose collections worth beaucoup. Snip off a twig, do some grafting or forcing and you've got a valuable, prize specimen.

If I worked security for an art museum one of my concerns would be with someone showing up with one of those little innocuous looking letter openers you get as freebies from the bank and such. It'd be useless as a weapon but you could zip a picture out of a frame in seconds.
 
Oh, I didn't realize the strategic significance and location of the gardens. I've been to the Mall *once*, and didn't have vast amounts of time to visit everything. Thanks.
 
Arent knives with blades of 2 1/2 inches or less allowed? Thats what the sign warns us about (Having knives of more then 2 1/2 inches of blade) when we enter the National library of health to make deliveries, and thats a federal building.
 
Lennyjoe -- Same thing happened to me at the Reagan building a couple of months ago. I had a 3 1/2" Benchmade on me and didn't even think about it. I had just come from another Federal building where I have clearance to walk around security and was going to the Reagan building for a meeting. I actually put the knife in the X-ray basket along with my phone and keys not even thinking it would be a big deal.

Two of the security guards questioned why I had it and informed me "knives aren't allowed in Federal buildings." I explained I just came from a Federal building where I carried it and the building I work in has all kinds of guns and knives in it. They were not amused. My hotel was right down the street and they at least gave me the option of taking it back to my hotel room. I would have been slightly ticked if my $120 knife was confiscated for destruction.

Also, "knives aren't allowed in Federal buildings" is kind of a stupid thing to say in a place like the Reagan building that has a food court full of knives and other stabbing utensils.:rolleyes:
 
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, the sweet feeling of a Kimber on your side.

Back home safe and sound. Now to go out shopping for a real folder.:D
 
If you think there'd be anything of worth in that trash can by the time it hits the dumpster then there's this bridge in Brooklyn I have for sale.....
 
I was in DC a few weeks ago, went to Reagan building. Saw the Xray machines and guards at each entrance.......except the underground parking garage. Yep, that's right, you can park underground, come up the elevator to the Lobby floor and SHAZAM! you are in the building without having to go thru metal detectors.

so much of this security crap is eyewash.

Oh, and it was so nice to see the cop with a sniper rifle on the balcony at the Capitol building.
 
Oh, and it was so nice to see the cop with a sniper rifle on the balcony at the Capitol building
Click to expand...
I seen a Capitol Policeman with a rifle as well and made a comment to him about muzzle control.

He had it resting on a barrier rail with the muzzle sweeping the folks as they departed from the tour. Dont think it was intentional, just careless.

I dont think he liked my comment but did in fact secure the muzzle.
 
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