Seized by the Manchester, New Hampshire PD for Open Carry

[Frohickey]

Hmm...

Sue the Manchester PD for violating your civil rights. That would definitely go to the federal level, same as the 2nd Rodney King trial.

Sure, if you win or lose on federal court, that would mean it would go to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals. Then, if you make it as a 2nd Amendment issue, that is another potential for a discrepancy between the various circuits.

Pile on plenty of discrepancies between the various circuits, and pretty soon, the SCOTUS camel will have its back broken, and it would need to rule on the 2nd Amendment.

 

[cordex]

Letter looks good ... real good.

I don't know that I'd call the cops involved JBTs ... they were certainly ignorant, heavy-handed and generally handled themselves in a rude and violent manner not befitting a civilized human being - much less an officer of the law - but I don't think that they can be accurately labeled as JBTs.

There is one word that I think should describe them, however.

Unemployed.

 

[kbr80]

they were certainly ignorant, heavy-handed and generally handled themselves in a rude and violent manner not befitting a civilized human being - much less an officer of the law -

you just described a JBT

 

[bogie]

Keep in mind also the fellow who told me, when Missouri was doing a concealed carry vote a few years back...

"If I was in a restaurant, and I knew someone was carrying a gun, I'd grab a knife and kill them before they could hurt anyone."

That this induhvidual couldn't discern between lawful and unlawful carry is, while sad, not the point here. What is at issue is that a similar-thinking induhvidual could pose a serious hazard to someone carrying openly.

Let's be careful out there.

 

[Devonai]

I'm just stunned. I thought New Hampshire was immune from this crap. I've only openly carried while hiking the Presidentials and while out and about in rural areas, but I've seen others do it just about everywhere. I wouldn't have batted an eyelash to see you do it.

This is deeply troubling to me as I take great comfort in the option of carrying openly for whatever reason should the situation require it.

Hire a lawyer. Set up a legal defense fund. I'll be the first one to send you $10 and encourage others to do the same. It is extremely important to me that this injustice not be allowed to pass. We MUST teach Manchester PD a hard lesson here!!!

As for Barnes and Noble, if the police report ends up indicating that it was indeed a store employee who dropped the dime on you, we need to blitz them with angry letters as well. If it was a private citizen, excuse me, sheep, who called, let them read about your lawsuit in the local papers.

 

[pax]

Devonai ~

If New Hampshire is still mostly immune to crap like this, it is because mvpel and others like him have worked to keep it that way.

Don't give up on open carry. Keep doing it. Where folks sit down and shut up because they are afraid of stuff like this, stuff like this becomes commonplace.

pax

 

[deanf]

I assume you've asked for copies of the 9-1-1 tape, the radio tape, any Computer Aided Dispatch logs, and any officer reports, including that FIR card you mentioned?

These should be public information, and should shed more light on exactly what the officers were told about you and your gun.

 

[cpileri]

.

Just subscribing because i am also interested in the follow-up action, if any.
Good luck.
I'd be in for 5 or 10 bucks as well.
C-

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I have heard that parts of New Hampshire have merely become the "Smoking Section" of Mass..Sorry to hear of your troubles,hope all will be rectafied soon.

 

[P95Carry]

Just to add another 2c mvpel ..... I would happily join others here and send you a $20 if I can .... anything to assist you toward a good conclusion. This does need taken right to the top ..... and used to make an example.

As I said earlier .... keep up the feedback please if you will.

 

[Greg L]

This would make a great guest column in a local newspaper (if you could find an editor willing to run it ).

I'm in for a few dollars for a legal fund also.

Greg

 

[KaceCoyote]

Sue them. I got 20 bucks with your name on it dude....and I'm poor

 

[NewShooter78]

Very excelent letter. I'm going to copy it and save it for further reference, should the need arise.

Keep us informed of any follow up.

 

[Andrew Rothman]

Beautiful.

Personally, I would have skipped the seven paragraphs starting with "Whether or not..." -- I think that lecture hurts your case.

Still, that's a style point. Otherwise, bravo!

 

[WonderNine]

Barnes & Noble seems to be the preferred hangout for million mom meetings around here. Either that or a couple of different buffets where they can stuff their faces.

 

[Standing Wolf]

...quizzed repeatedly as to why I carry a firearm.

Miles past dumb, I'd say, if they can't figure that out.

 

[WonderNine]

But we all know they weren't trying to figure it out, they were trying to intimidate.

Guess it backfired HAR HAR HAR

 

[sch40]

excellent letter. more like this need to be written.
thanks, and good luck.

 

[MissileCop]

Greg L,
If he submitted this incident to the Union Leader in Manchester, they just might very well print it. Every month they print excerpts from the NRA's Armed Citizen, and have had pro-firearms articles in the past.

The urge to contact them myself regarding this matter is great, but since mvpel is the primary participant, I'd rather let him decide what course of action he chooses to pursue.

Keep us posted, mvpel. If you need any assistance at all in any way, feel free to PM me. I'm just up the road in Concord.

 

[Werewolf]

Kbr80 advised that:

SUE their A$$ES off. Forward a copy of that letter to the Chief of Police, each city council member, city manager, local tv station, anyone that would possibly take an interest. Any more correspondence with them should not be done by you, hire a lawyer and make a statement.

FWIW - I strongly and most emphatically second that motion.

I might even be persuaded to contribute a small amount to the coffer necessary to retain an attorney (though I suspect mvpel is an attorney based on the style of the letter).

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Put me in for a few $.

Your civil rights were violated and the offending party must be punished.

 

[JNewell]

I assume you've asked for copies of the 9-1-1 tape, the radio tape, any Computer Aided Dispatch logs,

You need a lawyer pronto, or at least someone who knows what steps to take. Be advised, in many jurisdictions the records referred to are as a matter of routine policy destroyed quite promptly unless someone makes the proper legal request in the short window for those requests. Dunno what NH law or practice is, but I would not delay.

 

[Eskimo Jim]

mvpel,
I'm sorry that you had such a terrible experience.

Very good letter. Your educators should be proud.

I hope that you discuss the situation with a good attourney soon. Better to get the ball rolling sooner than later. It's best to be prepared for court and not have to go than have to go and not be prepared.

-Jim

 

[sturmruger]

What a great letter. I like how you write. This is exactly why I don't open carry. By law I can open carry here in WI, and in MN if I want to. I just don't feel like gettin hassled.

 

[mvpel]

Anyone know a NH firearms attorney?

I just moved to New Hampshire from the Slave State of California a few months ago as a tax refugee, and haven't gotten hooked in very much with the local firearms groups due to the work of moving twice and preparing for an international adoption.

If anyone knows a pro-gun attorney in southern NH, please feel free to forward this letter to him or her. I'd certainly be interested to discuss the practicality or advisability of a lawsuit with an expert. If you need my phone number, drop me a note at [email protected].

I have not yet heard back from Capt. Mara of the Professional Standards department, I expect that he'll recieve my certified letter today, and I'll recieve the return receipt tomorrow.

I have submitted copies of my letter to Mark Steyn, Vin Suprynowicz, and to the opinion editor of the Manchester Union Leader, as well as to a friend of mine who works for the Second Amendment Foundation, and another friend who's a firearms attorney (he does family law to pay the bills), back in California.

Also, I am in contact with Daniel Pouzzner, who was, according to his web page, arbitrarily denied a CCW in Portsmouth, presumably under the "suitable person" discretionary aspect of the statute.

Per the advice of various posters, I also intend a copy to the Manchester Chief of Police.

I also considered copies to representatives in state and local government, but not yet knowing attitudes towards firearms law and self-defense, I wasn't sure whom would be best inclined towards my position. If anyone has any recommendations, I'd be happy to hear them.

Thanks again for your compliments, folks, and your suggestions.