A guy in Maine (a free state) who had an encounter with LEO for legally carrying a gun because it was a "public safety concern" but respectfully and knowledgeably acted within his rights.

 

Don't get much better than that...

 

http://www.upworthy.com/yelling-at-cops-not-cool-getting-away-because-you-knew-your-rights-very-cool?c=bl3

He definitely knew his rights and the law !!!!!!

Love it! These types of videos give me hope, for our country. Some people actually know their rights.

 

Someone is bound to call this anti-leo....know your rights and exercise them!!

In my estimation this was a stunt and it is not prudent to open-carry (unless that is the only way you can carry).

 

There are better ways to educate the police and express your Second Amendment Rights. However, I am sure that the officers involved now have a better understanding of the law.

 

However, since I don't think it is prudent, I believe that the officer approaching him would at first glance has concerns about this person's mental health, etc., because he was exercising his right in that manner. Can I legally walk around carrying a stack of 100 bills in my hand. Sure, but does it reflect sound behavior, given that I could be robbed, etc.? That guy could meet up with someone that would rob him of his gun, or, someone that wanted to commit suicide, or someone that might try to grab his gun. This could also be a desperate person on a mission, etc..

 

It's not prudent to call unnecessary attention to yourself.

 

That said, I enjoyed watching him educate that officer.

I am slightly bothered that a member of this forum would feel so negatively about a citizen excersizing his rights given to him by god and the constitution of the United States. Without individuals like this man that are willing to stand up for their rights, those rights will slowly wither away. Sound familiar New Jersey? We NEED to continue to "educate" the police so that this kind of illegal detainment and confiscation ceases to occur. These people are pattiots and should be respected.

 

On another note, doesn't it bother you that simply walking down the street with a weapon of self defense causes uneducated people to call the Police? This situation may serve to educate the ignorant people that have been assimilated into the anit-gun effort. I see nothing wrong with this action and wish I could perform the same action in New Jersey. Of course if I did...

i love watching these kinds of videos... but i wonder if this dude was actually CARRYING the gun, or had it holstered...

i love watching these kinds of videos... but i wonder if this dude was actually CARRYING the gun, or had it holstered...

He was carrying in a holster open carry.

I love the videos, even the one with the guy going into cabelas, they held his gun after handing them the pistol to see if it would fit a holster. Then never gave it back until he was escorted out of the store. There is more to it than that, but you get the picture.

 

Can somebody post a link about OUR (New Jersey) rights when detained or stopped by JOHNNY LAW, while having a firearm in the vehicle? I would love to educate myself more..

I'm torn on this one: while I give the firearm owner kudos for knowing his rights, I put myself in the shoes of the officer for a second and decided that I would have parted his hair with my Mag-lite just for his smarmy tone ;-)

 

But in the present anti-gun climate in this country, and with what I would think are a lot of LEO's not that well-versed in the intricacies of the various states' gun laws, the bottom line is that this guy did us ALL a vital service with his defiant, totally-legal stand.

I'm torn on this one: while I give the firearm owner kudos for knowing his rights, I put myself in the shoes of the officer for a second and decided that I would have parted his hair with my Mag-lite just for his smarmy tone ;-)

 

But in the present anti-gun climate in this country, and with what I would think are a lot of LEO's not that well-versed in the intricacies of the various states' gun laws, the bottom line is that this guy did us ALL a vital service with his defiant, totally-legal stand.

 

Wow, I wonder what state,city, or county agency gave you the right to part someone's hair because he had a tone. People like you are the reason that us gun avocates get a bad name. .

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Good for him. Personally I wouldn't have thrown an additude right away but of the officer continued to not follow the law my tone would have changed.

In my estimation this was a stunt and it is not prudent to open-carry (unless that is the only way you can carry).

 

There are better ways to educate the police and express your Second Amendment Rights. However, I am sure that the officers involved now have a better understanding of the law.

 

However, since I don't think it is prudent, I believe that the officer approaching him would at first glance has concerns about this person's mental health, etc., because he was exercising his right in that manner. Can I legally walk around carrying a stack of 100 bills in my hand. Sure, but does it reflect sound behavior, given that I could be robbed, etc.? That guy could meet up with someone that would rob him of his gun, or, someone that wanted to commit suicide, or someone that might try to grab his gun. This could also be a desperate person on a mission, etc..

 

It's not prudent to call unnecessary attention to yourself.

 

That said, I enjoyed watching him educate that officer.

 

THIS!

 

It's much easier in a "Free State" to just go the extra step and get a CCW. That way, nobody has to see you, call it in to PD, so they have to stop you to question you. It's just all-around better to CCW.

 

These 2A Activists are a double-edged sword for our cause. On one hand you have to give them their due, but on the other, they're wasting Police resources with all of these "Man with a Gun calls". I would hate to be the A-Hole gun-toting 2A Activist that caused such an alarm that Police cars rushing to the scene mowed-down a kid on a bike with his ear buds in place. One of these days it's going to happen....it's just a matter of time!

 

CCW means Cops don't have to go Code 3 to check you out!

 

Dave

But if these 2A activists keep fighting the good fight, eventually antis and idiots will come to realize that criminal gangbangers don't open carry. Bad guys don't want you to know they have a gun on them.

Or...they will just change the laws to outlaw open carry, when enough of an issue is made...no, that could never happen...

Some lessons that may have been learned here by both parties.

 

Open Carry Person:

1) Give your name, be polite, and do not act like an asshole, OR

2) Do the same thing and expect the same results every time.

 

Police Officer:

1) Do not to stop someone who is a OCP without cause, or

2) Recognized the guy as a person that he previously arrested, i.e. a prohibited person, thereby giving him cause to detain and investigate.

Or...they will just change the laws to outlaw open carry, when enough of an issue is made...no, that could never happen...

 

THIS!

 

Already has happened in at least one State that still has CCW! Both the law makers and the public realized that Cops getting "Man with a Gun" radio calls is counter-productive to Police work and the public good. Suburban departments are stretched thin due to the economy. Lay-offs have occured in local municipalities. Often Cops are the first reponders to heart attack calls. As someone with a coronary condition, I don't need some video-taping Youtube instigating Yahoo open carrying on the other side of town drawing the attention of at least two patol officers AWAY from reponding to a real victim of an emergency, be it a heart attack, car accident with injuries, or a kid drowning in a pool. Let the Cops do what they do best, and keep your sidearm to yourself!

 

To all of the Open Carry proponents on this Forum: I'm sorry, but due to personal knowledge as a First Aider (years ago) and a current coronary condition, I can't bring myself to "drink the Kool-Aid" on this one....

 

Dave

^^^^

Very well said

I am slightly bothered that a member of this forum would feel so negatively about a citizen excersizing his rights given to him by god and the constitution of the United States. Without individuals like this man that are willing to stand up for their rights, those rights will slowly wither away. Sound familiar New Jersey? We NEED to continue to "educate" the police so that this kind of illegal detainment and confiscation ceases to occur. These people are pattiots and should be respected.

 

On another note, doesn't it bother you that simply walking down the street with a weapon of self defense causes uneducated people to call the Police? This situation may serve to educate the ignorant people that have been assimilated into the anit-gun effort. I see nothing wrong with this action and wish I could perform the same action in New Jersey. Of course if I did...

 

I am not put off by this man exercising his rights. I am just stating that in today's day and age and climate, unnecessary attention brought to someone carrying a handgun is not necessarily a good thing. Imagine some progressive type (yes, they are even in Maine) walking down the street and seeing him carrying a gun. Is that guy with the gun even in the slightest going to give him a better sense about gun ownership and acceptance? Or, imagine a woman with her kids walking down the street and seeing that guy... maybe she is politically in the middle somewhere, is she going to be a might bit concerned? When she goes home and talks to her gals, is she going to talk with them about the positive effect of gun ownership? And, what about a conservative, is he going to be happy when he sees that guy walking toward the store that he owns with his gun out? This could be harmful across the voting political spectrum. And, is that police officer that was somewhat toyed with and made a fool of going to be positive next time some wise a** does that to him? He will know the law to the letter and he won't hesitate to get the next guy that does that for ANY minor infraction. These are ALL voters that can change the laws. +1 to Smokin's post concerning distracting the police from doing their real job. I agree 100 percent.

 

And, open carry coupled with concealed carry is nice to have, just in case your gun is noticed. You would still be within your rights and you wouldn't be charged for a crime at that time. The laws could change and it is better to exercise caution and continue to have more options than less.

 

 

So, I am saying that you choose your battles. The idea is to continue to present gun ownership in a POSITIVE light while exercising your natural right to carry and defend your own.

 

On the other hand, his theatrics might enlist more people that watched the episode to exercise their rights, and they might not be so eloquent or mentally stable to do so and, again, harm the cause.

 

If Open carry was legal and the norm and just about everyone or every other person did it, then it would probably be just fine for him to do so. That is probably never going to happen unless the increasing Latin population likes open carry.

 

For me, it also depends where you are. Although I still wouldn't suggest it, maybe hiking near Katahdin out in the wilds might be more suited to open carry than walking down main street on your way to the local 7 Eleven.

 

I am not against exercising your rights, I am just also for exercising prudence.

Wow, I wonder what state,city, or county agency gave you the right to part someone's hair because he had a tone. People like you are the reason that us gun avocates get a bad name. .

 

First of all, pally, it's sad you can't read between the lines. I'm not a LEO, and I don't personally know any that would react like that. It was a farcical comment; apparently, one beyond your grasp.

 

To all the LEO's on here, however: my apologies, as it probably wasn't the most-prudent thing for me to write, given some other readers' inability to separate fantasy from reality.

 

Scott in Bayonne

I still dont get the point of open carry. The element of surprise is gone and you are drawing attention to yourself. Two tactical disadvantages. Ccw is so much better. I am allowed to carry a gun all the time but i dont show it nor would i ever. I dont walk around with my badge around my neck either even though i could. Cover your weapon and stop wasting peoples time. Its almost like showing off.

 

I know these opinions arent popular but just my feelings. Do what you want

I still dont get the point of open carry. The element of surprise is gone and you are drawing attention to yourself. Two tactical disadvantages. Ccw is so much better. I am allowed to carry a gun all the time but i dont show it nor would i ever. I dont walk around with my badge around my neck either even though i could. Cover your weapon and stop wasting peoples time. Its almost like showing off.

 

I know these opinions arent popular but just my feelings. Do what you want

+1000

I don't want to surprise an attacker. I want an attacker to just avoid me. That's the point of open carry.

I don't want to surprise an attacker. I want an attacker to just avoid me. That's the point of open carry.

 

When I recently visited Arizona, I saw quite a few examples of OC, especially in some of the more "quaint" towns that were off the beaten path. There, it seemed almost natural. For example, in Florence, AZ, there were two guys working in a hardware store (that sold ammo, natch) wearing IWB firearms, as well as a guy who was in the Visitor's Center chatting with the guide there when we walked in.

 

When I went into Phoenix and Scottsdale I saw less of it, but vividly remember standing in line at the bank inside a Fry's grocery store in Tempe(?), behind what had to be an 85-year old guy wearing a Western revolver in an ornate holster. I'm telling ya, if I'm a bad guy (DISCLAIMER FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CANNOT SEPARATE FARCICAL, HYPOTHETICAL COMMENTS FROM REALITY: I'M NOT A BAD GUY; THIS IS ONLY FOR DEMONSTRATION OF MY STATEMENT), I wouldn't think it a hard task to grab his right arm and pull it back, yanking the gun from his holster and turning it on him. This was an ideal scenario, IMO, where this elderly gentleman should have been CCW, and not advertising the fact he was armed.

 

I'm in definite agreement with those who feel that open carry obviates any tactical advantage you may enjoy over a potential attacker. Just because OC is allowed doesn't mean it's always the most prudent choice to make.

I don't want to surprise an attacker. I want an attacker to just avoid me. That's the point of open carry.

 

And the point of CCW is to keep the dirtbags at-bay by choosing to blend-in to the rest of society, so they don't know who is carrying and who isn't. UNTIL YOU want to advertise, that is!

 

Here's a good example relayed to me by someone I trust who was in Florida visiting his brother:

 

My friends' brother goes into a 7-11 to buy a gallon of milk. He's wearing a light windbreaker. On his hip under the windbreaker is his full-size .45 1911 in Condition One in an IWB holster. A dirtbag walks-in, walks out and comes back with a friend to "look for something". The guy with the .45 feels (due to a heightened state of "situational awareness" while CCW) that these two are "casing the store", so while he sees both dirtbags, from a reasonable distance but just close enough to get the job done, he reaches for something on a shelf thereby "accidentally" exposing the sidearm to dirtbag #1. The two dirtbags immediately stop casing the joint and abruptly leave the 7-11 without buying what they had in their hand already!

 

The Clerk at the 7-11 saw what was happening and gave my friend's brother the gallon of milk, which he took home at another time later that day, leaving his hands unencumbered while exiting the store and proceeding to his vehicle.

 

The moral to the story is this:

 

When the situation calls for going on the offense, or "brandishing" to disrupt plans of the dirtbags, by all means do it, but do it from a defensive position and a perspective that you are fully aware that you may be forced at that point to take it to the next level. Do it while making eye contact and giving-off the correct body language that says to the dirtbags, "DON'T SCREW WITH ME!" That's how to stop a crime from even happening. One small victory for the Good Guys! And John Q. Public as well as all of the Soccer Moms in suburbia needn't be alarmed, as you've closed the windbreaker and gone about your business, a good Samaritan who didn't have to fire a shot!

 

I agree with BlueLineFish! Keep your sidearm CCW'd so no one hits YOU over the head with a wine bottle in an attempt to steal the damn gun from you while your guard is down! Open Carry works if lots of folks are carrying, otherwise you're setting yourself up for a potential threat by drawing too much attention.

Most Mainer's will admit that the section of Maine from Portland to Bangor is inundated with too many liberals, and too much "liberal thinking" these days.

I don't want to surprise an attacker. I want an attacker to just avoid me. That's the point of open carry.

 

Read me: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/reports/reports2006/073106robNewtonPatton.htm

 

Carrying a gun in a holster for all to see makes you a target, not a threat. There is a reason why open carry is referred to as "Shoot me first" carry by so many out there.

 

If you are legally open carrying a pistol and a gen-u-wine bad guy is carrying his roscoe concealed, who do you think has the tactical advantage? There are people out there that are not scared of you or your pistol. They have already shot people, been shot, been shot at, and had guns pointed at them by other bad dudes weekly. You are merely a slight change in the plan during a 7-11 holdup, or a source for a free gun like our friend in VA in the link above. Don't expect every bad guy in your area to move to the other side of the street as you come walking down the block open carrying your blaster. You can expect however, the masses of uneducated law abiding sheeple to freak the hell out, point and scream, and call the Police.

 

Law abiding people, good people, forget that "Here there be Monsters" and apply their thought processes, values, morals and ethics to everyone. Those monsters will take your personal honor, your morals and ethics, and make you choke on them. Violence happens with a quickness most have never experienced. The bad guys only concern is "Will my violence defeat their violence?". If they think the answer is yes, then it is on. If they can get the drop on you, armed or not, the answer is more likely to be yes.

 

You want an attacker to avoid you? Not going to happen brother, that's why they are called attackers and not avoiders.

 

You don't want to be a victim, you need to avoid attackers. Be the grey man. Keep your situational awareness up. Avoid bad areas. Don't be afraid to turn around and walk away if something seems weird. Don't blindly walk into a convenience store, instead park outside and wait a few seconds and watch. Put the phone away while you are walking. Keep your strong hand empty when carrying a briefcase or bag. Keep your wallet, keys, and cash out of site. Lock your car doors. Leave at least a car length between you and the car in front of you at stop signs and red lights so you are not boxed in and can drive off. Have a plan to defeat every stranger you meet, whether by fight or flight, but keep it to yourself. You know, walk softly and carry a big stick. Just keep your stick hidden until you need it.

 

That being said, I didn't watch the video. People provoking the police over this stuff just makes me angry for a lot of reasons I am not going to get into here. I understand the "a right not used is a right lost" argument and I agree, but find a better way to demonstrate your support for 2A. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. I mean, I could walk in downtown Newark and exercise my first amendment rights and start talking to people about white power or my opinion on immigration too, but I am sure we could all agree that that is just silly.

Sorry, this guy is an idiot. He obviously was looking for "trouble" and wanted to be stopped by the police. Why would you want to break this cops b@lls over something YOU started?

I don't even know why I posted when High Exposure said it better than me.

Sorry, this guy is an idiot. He obviously was looking for "trouble" and wanted to be stopped by the police. Why would you want to break this cops b@lls over something YOU started?

 

Actually the cop started it. The guy did not call the cop over.

Yeah the guy did it to get a reaction. He had just as much reason to detain the cop as the cop did to detain him. Neither was breaking a law in open carrying.

He was stopped by an obviously untrained individual. Did you notice that once the supervisor showed up the "incident" was over in 30 seconds?