Police Vs. Open Carry Citizen encounter video - Comments requested

[Paraguy]

I found this on break.com and found it to be interesting and informative.  Personally, I would have been more cooperative with Law Enforcement than this gentleman was.  I admire, however, how knowledgable he was and his command of the law.  I also admire the police office for treating the citizen with respect, and also following up dilligently on a call concerning an armed person.  Probably some teaching moments for both armed citizens and law enforcement in this video.

Would be great to get different perspectives on this incident:

http://www.break.com/index/detained-for-open-carry-2338359

[DaverZ]

Personally I think the guy was a jerk,it's always best to comply and make the encounter as smooth as it can be.Actions like that can manifest ill will,the next time he gets stopped this may make the difference in whether the cop cuts him a break or slams him for every infraction that will stick.

[jaybet]

Geez...I thought the cop was as polite as he could be. The guy filming acted like an azzhole. Yes it's legal but from all his legal knowlege it sounds like he went out open carrying to look for trouble- like he wanted to become famous or be a test case.

[lhprop1]

Yeah, I thought the guy was acting like a total prick.

Question:  If the police receive a complaint, isn't it not only their duty, but their right to investigate the complaint?  If they got a call about a bunch of minors consuming alcohol, don't they have every right to check their ID to make sure they're 21?  Same should apply here. 

[tombogan03884]

I'm with the rest here.
I thought the Cop acted reasonable.
The guy filming was looking for a political confrontation.
If he had encountered that psycho A hole LEO in Cleveland (?) he would be dead.
People like this is why I have no use for the "Free State Project", even though I was one of the first 25 members.

[Sponsor]

[crusader rabbit]

Just because you agree with a guy's premise does not mean you endorse his actions.

This open carry guy is a Class-A Certified Jerk.

The cop was the kind of LEO I would like to meet.  He maintained his calm even upon provocation.

That's my 2-cents.

Crusader

[Timothy]

Just because you agree with a guy's premise does not mean you endorse his actions.

This open carry guy is a Class-A Certified Jerk.

The cop was the kind of LEO I would like to meet.  He maintained his calm even upon provocation.

That's my 2-cents.

Crusader

+1

Something, though perfectly legal as far as I know, I would not attempt here...

[DaverZ]

there is a difference between standing up for your rights and being a total asshat

[deepwater]

I believe California just lost their open carry privileges due to this type of behavior. a bunch of San Diego open carry types would have big 'rallys' and meet at the beach, a restaurant or some other public place to be seen and promote their cause. though what they were doing as a group was, in my opinion, fine, many would carry on their own and stir up issues like this. maybe even this very same guy, who knows? Governor finally said enough, we don't need the fuzz being harassed by phone calls from the soccer moms calling in panic and wasting the time of said police officers and maybe even creating a situation where the cops become confused as to what is really going on and potentially instigating an incident between an otherwise law abiding citizen and a cop doing his job. that would be a bad day for the cause..
sincerely hope the Cali folks get their laws straightened out so I can carry when I visit the family.

[Pathfinder]

Yeah, I thought the guy was acting like a total prick.

Question:  If the police receive a complaint, isn't it not only their duty, but their right to investigate the complaint?  If they got a call about a bunch of minors consuming alcohol, don't they have every right to check their ID to make sure they're 21?  Same should apply here. 

Actually, probably not on a couple of levels.
1. The SCOTUS has ruled that police are not required to enforce any law or intervene in any crime. This is why during the WTO and so-called anarchist riots and such the po-po usually stand around and secure the area, contain the mayhem, and let the wankers trash the area and kind of burn themselves out. Then the police will move in, arrest a bunch of folks, prosecutors will try to nail the leaders (if caught) and the judge lets the rest go.

2. po-po as agents of the .gov do not have rights. They have powers and they have authorities under the law. Only citizens (including police not on duty) have rights.