CCW discovered by a anti cop

[Guntalk]

Question . . .

Would there be any reason, when the officer first "flashed" the badge, to not say, "I'm sorry. I didn't get a good look at that. May I see your ID?"

 

[RKBABob]

The officer was within his rights to make sure you were legal. Simply asking to see your CHL isn't very offensive in itself.

The comment was a little rude, but I'd just let it slide.

You met a rude guy who doesn't agree with you, but no need to make an enemy by escalating things.

 

[boredelmo]

In my 19 years of being a resident in Texas i have not met a cop that wasn't anti.

My problem? Houston for 17 yrs and Austin for 2 yrs.

 

[Eyesac]

The offense was not that big, it's just bothersome because the comment is an indication of a bigger problem: He's a idiot

Idiots need to be reprimanded when they act up or else they get worse.
If you could do it all over again, I would get his info and file a complaint.

 

[HKUSP45C]

Now, somebody stop me if I'm all wet on this one but:
How is carrying a gun in a state that has legal provisions for carrying said gun a "reasonable suspicion" that said person "is cvommiting or is about to commit" a crime. Even if having an unlicensed gun on the premises is a crime I don't think that it equtes to everyone who's on the premises with what might be a gun is a suspect worthy of investigating.

I'm not sure about this but I don't think the cop had the legal right to stop and question you in the first place. I mean, can a cop walk up to you on the street and for no reason other than his whimsy ask to see your ID? If not, then I'd say you weren't legally obligated to show him your CHL. I'm aware you have to show it when asked for ID during an investigative encounter but I don't think they can stop every Tom, Dick and Harry with a bulge and demand to see a CHL.

Again, if I'm wrong I'm willing to listen. Seems like we just had a court hearing about this recently, though I think it was in a different state.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I don't have a problem with him asking to see the CHL, but his comment was rude. I probably would have responded with "I pay you to serve and protect; I don't pay you for your opinions".

-Honestly, I wouldn't have been quick enough or brash enough to actually say that on the spot.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I hear all this harping and belly aching about the cop asking to see a CCL and I agree he could have been more polite about how he went about it and could have kept his opinions to himself. But that being said, if that off duty LEO had bumped into any of us and had not asked to see our CCL and then we had move on and we had opened fire for some unknown reason and killed 5 or six people and it was found that he had encountered the shooter and not asked about whether he had a CCL you would be out for his blood!!!
Come on, let's not come down on all LEO because there are a few bad apples in the barrel. Kick a$$ when its due but leave the honest hard working ones alone!

 

[crebralfix]

Appendix carry solves that particular problem. They'll hit your arm instead of your weapon.

 

[springmom]

The OP handled this precisely right. No smart aleck comments are necessary. In this state an officer most certainly has the right to check your licenses (DL and CHL had both best be with you if you're carrying). Sure, the OP could have mouthed off to the cop...and thereby escalated the situation, screwed up the evening with his wife, ruined his dinner...or done what he did and let it go.

Carry inside the waistband if you're going to be in a crowd.

Springmom

 

[Cosmoline]

Correction, Cosmoline, it was completely appropriate for the cop to ask. When a cop, even an off duty one, has a reason to believe that someone is armed then it is responsible for him or her to make sure that the armed person is legally armed.

What law says that? Unless there is some basis to think the person is breaking a law, the officer should not be demanding anything or bothering people. What was the OP doing illegal? This is why Texas and all other states should have VT/Alaska carry and open carry allowed. I'm glad I don't live in New Jersey. I've driven right in front of cops here with a rifle slung over my shoulder and another one on the bike and they don't bat an eye. I'm not doing anything illegal, and there's no reason to bother me.

But even in Texas, why does the officer investigate instead of presuming the man is legally armed? What gives him the right to act that way?

was merely with a disgruntled officer of the law, rather than with a real BG.

I'm not sure I see any real difference. Except you can stand up to a BG instead of bowing and scraping.

if that off duty LEO had bumped into any of us and had not asked to see our CCL and then we had move on and we had opened fire for some unknown reason and killed 5 or six people and it was found that he had encountered the shooter and not asked about whether he had a CCL you would be out for his blood

Who would be? Only a fool expects or desires to be protected by a thin blue line. They have no legal duty to protect anyone except for prisoners in their custody. Also, where do you get the idea that a person carrying WITHOUT a CCL is going to go on a shooting spree? I've never had one.

Appendix carry solves that particular problem. They'll hit your arm instead of your weapon.

That's a good idea.

 

[crebralfix]

It is not illegal for a police officer to ask a question. Furthermore, it is not illegal for a citizen to *voluntarily* answer the question.

He could have said "None of your business." It should have ended there.

YMMV, depending upon the state's laws.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

But even in Texas, why does the officer investigate instead of presuming the man is legally armed? What gives him the right to act that way?

That would be based in the fact that carrying a concealed weapon without license is illegal in Tx, and that Tx requires you to present your CHL to a LEO during any confrontation. It is a Tx CHL holders responsibility to demonstrate to LEOs that they are legally carrying. If you have been made, it's a Tx officers duty to make sure that you aren't illegally carrying.

The only thing I quesiton is the legality of how this person was made.

 

[Cosmoline]

He could have said "None of your business." It should have ended there.

Do you honestly think that would have ended there? If you screw around with these robocops they'll put you in the grave and get a medal in the process. I don't see that he had any choice but to answer or face imminent deadly force. The officer's manner was threatening and his attitude was totally out of line, but as an LEO he can do pretty much whatever he wants.

 

[crebralfix]

He could have said "None of your business." It should have ended there.

Do you honestly think that would have ended there? If you screw around with these robocops they'll put you in the grave and get a medal in the process. I don't see that he had any choice but to answer or face imminent deadly force. The officer's manner was threatening and his attitude was totally out of line, but as an LEO he can do pretty much whatever he wants.

If this is truly the case, both you and I (and all other THRers) have failed in our duty to keep government under control.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Guys, like it or not, the cop bumped into this guy and felt an outline of a gun. He asked for his CHL, which was completely ok. He gave his opinion, HIS OPINION!

It's HIS opinion, and that's just FINE! Why are we making such a big deal? First ammendment rights are JUST as important as the rights given by the SECOND ammendment.

 

[Elza]

Deer Hunter: It's HIS opinion, and that's just FINE! Why are we making such a big deal? First ammendment rights are JUST as important as the rights given by the SECOND ammendment.

Because if oneshooter had offered his opinion, no matter how politely, he could well have ended up in jail. Or worse…

 

[Deer Hunter]

Alright alright, got me there. I'm happy Oneshooter kept his cool because I know I wouldn't have. Then again, if he had persued it, he would have been in the right.

 

[Deanimator]

It's HIS opinion, and that's just FINE! Why are we making such a big deal? First ammendment rights are JUST as important as the rights given by the SECOND ammendment.

Because an "opinion" rendered at figurative gunpoint isn't an opinion. It's a DICTAT imposed by force on a captive audience.

Do you think that a PETA member cop who sees you hauling a deer home has the right to hold you against your will and lecture you on animal rights?

 

[Mongo the Mutterer]

Handled properly. Reasonable request, responded quickly and courteously.

I would have given the officer a puzzled look when he made the comment "I don't like it", though. Don't say a word, just look quizzically at him.

If he asks what your are looking at, simply say "Do I look like someone who cares what you like?" in a calm voice.

Nahhh. But it works well for non-LEOs.

 

[Evil Monkey]

Because if oneshooter had offered his opinion, no matter how politely, he could well have ended up in jail.

Wait why would he end up in jail!?!?

 

[Jamie C.]

He wouldn't, Evil Monkey.

Everybody has gotten so excited over the cop speaking his opinion that they've not noted the fact that he did his job, and only his job, irregardless of how he felt.

He found someone carrying a gun, he verified that the person was legal in doing so, and went on about his business.

Sure, he voiced the opinion that he didn't like it, but he didn't stand there and lecture about it, or try to convince Oneshooter that he shouldn't be carrying, even though it was legal. And unless there's something Oneshooter isn't telling us, there's nothing there that could be considered harassment either.

Which, all in all, sounds like a pretty good officer to me. Maybe not an "A+" rating, but still better than some I know.



J.C.

 

[Elza]

I had a cop threaten me with arrest for expressing an opinion. And I wasn’t even addressing the cop!! I asked him in a calm and polite tone “Are you saying that you will arrest me for simply expressing an opinion with which you don’t agree?” He said” Yes I will.”

Would it have stuck? No. Would I have had to spend money on an attorney anyway? Yes. Did I test the cop to see if he was serious? NO!

 

[sojournerhome]

Not all cops are anti-gun. Got a ticket in Grapevine and showed my CHL with DL as rewuired by law. The officer asked if I am carrying? I said yes. He said ok where? I told him. He gave me the ticket said have a nice day and was off. Once, I was pulled over, working too much over time, and a Fort Worth office gave me a ticket. Both dismissed after probation by the way. The Fort Worth office was very nice and thanked me for displaying my CHL and letting him know I was carrying quickly. No problems there.

Now, I was told my a friend who is a Fort Worth cop that thanks to 9/11 and Home Land Security legislation that he was able to carry anywhere in the country now. Anyone here about this?

 

[Megistopoda]

I just now found this thread, and all I can think of is this:

Some problems are better than others. The problems in TX are not the same as those in IL.

Keep the faith, my friends.

 

[Havegunjoe]

The editorial comment was uncalled for that is for sure but I don't see where he did anything really wrong. At least he didn't hassle you, he knew you were legal and there wasn't anything he could do about it. I wouldn't alter my activities because of this. It may have lead to a good opportunity to discuss CC with an anti. You never know. I wouldn't waste my time with a complaint to his superiors because as I said, he didn't do anything to be reprimanded for in their eyes I am sure.