Bangor police officer denied opportunity to vote while wearing his sidearm

[LawofThirds]

I agree with TDK's point that if a law applies to a citizen, it should apply equally to a police officer. Equal application of ALL laws.

However, it's pretty clear that this is more of a case of the poll official not knowing the information he should in order to do his job. I'm glad he was let go, clearly he did not know the law he should have known. Kudo's to the officer for knowing his rights and sticking to them.

 

[CZ223]

The fact is....

In Maine, where this incident happened, there is no law prohibiting "anyone" from carrying at the polls. The warden was wrong and he was relieved of his duties. I decided against carrying openly at the polls though I did, as always, carry concealed.

 

[Bullnettles]

I do not agree with TDK, because the same reason I always pack, because criminals don't follow rules! Including gun-free zones, they shoot up schools and colleges BECAUSE of the lack of resistance. Reason is absent today.

 

[CoRoMo]

...citizens and cops... no guns for either, I'm OK with it.

Not me. I'm only okay with freedom. If Ms. Soccermom feels intimidated that I'm carrying. It is her problem, not mine.

...the reason I would prefer no weapons for anyone at a polling place... it could be mis-used to intimidate others and interfere with the democratic process.

Antis would agree. They would go further and would say that there should be no weapons allowed anywhere, because of that same big 'what if'; some off chance that it could be misused to intimidate others and interfere in whatever event is taking place.

It's BS. It's always been BS.

 

[Old krow]

I agree with TDK's point that if a law applies to a citizen, it should apply equally to a police officer. Equal application of ALL laws.

I agree with the equal laws. I don't see a point in denying a police officer the right, or even the responsibility, to carry a weapon to the polling area.

The official in question really stepped off in it.

Sounds like the cop did the right thing.

 

[Yarddog]

In FL the CWPL holder CAN'T CC at a place of voting, As police can carry anywhere except the JAIL ; )
Y/D

 

[FROGO207]

I grew up in Bangor ME in the 60's. Things are REALLLLLLY DIFFERENT there today.:banghead::banghead::banghead: Where has the common sense gone???? IMHO Portland has more anti gun crap by a long shot. I don't consider the area south of Augusta a gun friendly area let alone part the real of Maine.

 

[billybob44]

I have read through 57 post+NO one has ask this question: Do you suppose that our forefathers-LEO's+ civilians-were allowed to carry in 1776-1800 elections??
Just where have our laws IMPROVED since that time??

 

[Neverwinter]

Antis would agree. They would go further and would say that there should be no weapons allowed anywhere, because of that same big 'what if'; some off chance that it could be misused to intimidate others and interfere in whatever event is taking place.

People can choose not to vote at the polling place. Mail-in ballots are available for those that foresee being intimidated at their assigned voting location.

 

[Uniquedot]

I have never left my gun in the car while voting. If i had it with me when i went to the poll, it stayed with me. Unlike even some of the folks whom have posted in this thread, i believe the second amendment means what it says.

 

[DoctorOfLight]

In a voting place it's the intimidation thing. Freedom to vote as I chose without the gestapo there watching. Possibly arresting me for assault on an officer for threatening his power with the stroke of my pen.

 

[TexasBill]

Guys, this wasn't a case of some off-duty officer carrying - this was an on-duty uniformed peace officer taking a break to cast a vote. Even casting a vote, he's still a cop and still must respond if required. I am glad the idiot was dismissed; I hope somebody includes this little tidbit the next time they are training polling personnel.

 

[stuckinsocal]

In a voting place it's the intimidation thing. Freedom to vote as I chose without the gestapo there watching. Possibly arresting me for assault on an officer for threatening his power with the stroke of my pen.

And how is that different from carrying anywhere else? The same argument can be applied to any situation where the police are armed.

People will still use the intimidation argument anywhere you'd carry a gun, especially if you OC...all the same BS about brandishing a weapon simply because you're going about your business carrying a gun. If you're indimidated by someone- who isn't bothering you- because he's carrying a gun, it's your fault and your problem. And the reverse is also true. If you're minding your own business while voting, and someone is intimidated at the sight of your gun, it's his own damn fault.

Have we really gotten to the point where we (gun onwers) actually believe the BS arguments of the anti gun groups? The exact same reasons being given for not carrying while voting are the ones we hear all the time about carrying at school, at the store, or anywhere for that matter. "It violates my right to not be afraid", "it'll result in a blood bath in the streets", etc. As long as it's legal, location shouldn't matter.

 

[Sam1911]

Freedom to vote as I chose without the gestapo there watching. Possibly arresting me for assault on an officer for threatening his power with the stroke of my pen.

Oh good grief.

Can we avoid this level of purple prose? U.S. law enforcement officers are not the Gestapo, and the idea that you'd be arrested for voting the wrong way will (well ... should) get you laughed off the forum.

 

[JoeShmoe]

I wonder if the election official would have gotten dismissed for turning away Joe Schmoe citizen?

Hey!

 

[dogrunner]

On or off duty doesn't matter!..............LEOSA overrides all State laws prohibiting the carriage of CCW's by either active or qualified retired LEO's............that officer could have just stuck the thing in his pocket and even IF the Maine law prohibited it, been legal!

There are exceptions, but unless that polling place is a specified prohibited one it is lawful!

 

[Art Eatman]

DoctorOfLight, looking at your post and your sig, you're fooling yourself.

The ladies in my polling place, yesterday, knowing I'm a gun guy, started telling me how much fun they'd had in a short course on AR15s. We talked about TFL and THR and the local JP's open-house Tuesday morning shooting sessions at his range. If Texas had open carry, a gathering to vote would include a show-and-tell session. LEOs would be quite welcome. There'd probably be arguments about Glock vs. 1911.

IMO, what the cop should have done was arrest the twit, cuff him and0 take him to the cop car. Then go back in and vote. Next, after tipping his hat to the ladies, haul that trash to the cop shop and file civil rights charges for voter intimidation and denial of the right to vote. Then get lawyer for a civil suit and then tell it all to a newsie.

I got over all that "intimidation" BS when I saw multi-star generals looking all quivery, worried about ICBMs taking out NATO Hq and EuCom Hq during the Hungarian crisis in 1957. A few megs of nuke is intimidating. A pipsqueak pistol ain't.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Had a similar incident here in Arkansas -- a Sheriff's deputy was not allowed to vote while armed. As County Election Commissioner, I upheld the Election Judge.

The Sheriff's office called me and asked, "What if someone comes in and starts shooting up the polls? He could be killed!"

My response was, "How is that different from everyone else in the polls? If he is there to vote, he must, by law, be unarmed. If he is there to make an arrest or quell a disturbance, that's different."

 

[LiquidTension]

I went to vote after work (while still in uniform) with this thread fresh in my mind.

The poll supervisor looked at me very seriously and said, "Could you do me a favor and take that <points at Glock>..." At this point I began bristling, knowing what he's about to say and how I was going to respond. He continues, "and point it at her <points at poll worker>. She needs to be intimidated." Ah, a joke. "Uh, negative," I responded. The rest of the poll workers started in at that point, advising me of who I needed to arrest and whatnot. Everyone had a good laugh.

As to LEOs not being allowed to carry if CWP holders can't...well, LEOs have a duty to respond to anything that happens in their presence while at the polling place. CWP holders don't.

I don't have a problem with people carrying while voting. As a matter of fact, I think it's particularly patriotic to combine those fundamental rights. If your state doesn't allow you to carry at the polls (like SC), lobby to get the laws changed. Whining about "equality" helps nothing. We DO have an Activism forum here though, may be a good place to start

 

[Art Eatman]

Amen, LiquidTension, amen.

Just because one group has been denied the right to carry, why should members of that group wish to deny the right to others? "I'm unhappy, so I want you to be unhappy, also." What's up with that?

 

[smartshot]

When told by voting staff that there was no firearms allowed, why couldn't he have just secured it in his car then vote, regardless of whether or not he was in uniform? A one minute walk to the car would have diffused the situation.

 

[NavyLCDR]

When told by voting staff that there was no firearms allowed, why couldn't he have just secured it in his car then vote, regardless of whether or not he was in uniform? A one minute walk to the car would have diffused the situation.

Why roll over and let anyone who desires to deprive you of your rights?

 

[Sam1911]

When told by voting staff that there was no firearms allowed, why couldn't he have just secured it in his car then vote, regardless of whether or not he was in uniform? A one minute walk to the car would have diffused the situation.

Why would he want to do that? If he carries a sidearm for a reason (as many of us do) does that reason go away simply because he's voting?

If the law does not require him to disarm, why would he accept being told that he must?

 

[M-Cameron]

When told by voting staff that there was no firearms allowed, why couldn't he have just secured it in his car then vote, regardless of whether or not he was in uniform? A one minute walk to the car would have diffused the situation.

well since he was on duty......ide imagine leaving his weapon some place would be a liability......

 

[mcdonl]

My response was, "How is that different from everyone else in the polls? If he is there to vote, he must, by law, be unarmed. If he is there to make an arrest or quell a disturbance, that's different."

I never see the local PD unarmed when they go into the post office. But I am not allowed to carry there.

Like Liquid said... he has a duty to act, anywhere he is when on duty. I on the other hand can avoid trouble where he has to DEAL with it.

Thanks liquid, your service is appreciated.