Detained for Open Carry, Portland, Maine

[Baz]

This happened back in 2012.

Pretty interesting exchange. I think it's pretty cool the citizen knew his rights and remained in control of his emotions while debating with the officer. beyond that I guess one could have different viewpoints of how they would have reacted to this encounter.

Would you have handled yourself any differently?

[SilberUrS6]

Hmmm, filmed, and with all the precedents memorized and neatly laid out. Looks like it wasn't just some casual encounter - looks like it was a created situation.

After all, who films themselves walking down the street? Unless there's a reason to do so?

[Baz]

Originally Posted by SilberUrS6

Hmmm, filmed, and with all the precedents memorized and neatly laid out. Looks like it wasn't just some casual encounter - looks like it was a created situation.

After all, who films themselves walking down the street? Unless there's a reason to do so?

I agree.......he was very prepared for something like this to happen.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by Baz

This happened back in 2012.

Pretty interesting exchange. I think it's pretty cool the citizen knew his rights and remained in control of his emotions while debating with the officer. beyond that I guess one could have different viewpoints of how they would have reacted to this encounter.

Would you have handled yourself any differently?

Personally? I wouldn't have constantly riffed on legal references, as that made the guy sound like a crackpot. Once the officer conceded that open carry wasn't illegal, I'd have waited until he or a supervising officer released me. Other than the legal patter, I think he and the officer handled things pretty well.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by Baz

I agree.......he was very prepared for something like this to happen.

I will make the jump that he was very prepared, on purpose. Very prepared because he was looking to make a video of himself "schooling" some cops.

I have seen other videos of the same type, quite a few about "safety" inspections, "agricultural product" inspections or other checkpoint-style interactions. One was at one of those drunk-driving checkpoints.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Baz

Would you have handled yourself any differently?

Yeah. Wouldn't have:

Acted like a dick;
Filmed the interaction;
Been openly carrying a gun to begin with.

I could add that I wouldn't have been in Portland, either, but that should be obvious.

JR

[GG Allin]

The cop should have shot him for filming vertically.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by epbrown

Personally? I wouldn't have constantly riffed on legal references, as that made the guy sound like a crackpot. Once the officer conceded that open carry wasn't illegal, I'd have waited until he or a supervising officer released me. Other than the legal patter, I think he and the officer handled things pretty well.

I'm with you on the continual dialogue about case law.

I probably would have prefaced everything by saying something like "I know you officers are only doing your job and I respect that but I am a person who has researched very thoroughly my legal rights as provided by our constitution as preparation for this type of encounter and would appreciate it if we could both remain civil and calm while we discuss my legal rights vs. the job you have to do."

At any rate - both parties kept it civil and that's something to appreciate.

[Steve Carlton]

I suspect concealed carry is not available to this douche bag, so he's going with open carry, which frightens people even though it's legal. If it were legal to have your dick hanging out, this clown would be have his 2-incher on display. He obviously wants to provoke people and assert his rights for whatever reason. Maybe he's looking for a legal settlement when somebody violates his rights, who knows. The cops should have been better versed in a citizen's rights, otherwise they're risking a confrontation or lawsuit that they don't need.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

I suspect concealed carry is not available to this douche bag, so he's going with open carry, which frightens people even though it's legal. If it were legal to have your dick hanging out, this clown would be have his 2-incher on display. He obviously wants to provoke people and assert his rights for whatever reason. Maybe he's looking for a legal settlement when somebody violates his rights, who knows. The cops should have been better versed in a citizen's rights, otherwise they're risking a confrontation or lawsuit that they don't need.

Yes Steve but there are plenty of individuals who engage in provoking activity - gangs that walk down sidewalks with menacing tattoos or piercings for example.

Isn't this the same sort of expression - someone who wants to provoke and assert their rights?

Where do we draw the line as long as it is legal - maybe it's the laws that need to be addressed?

Just asking for the sake of discussion - I have no "horse in the race" and I am not endorsing any behaviour with my query.

[javadog]

Drawing a line is not necessary. You just use the common sense that you should have, if you're a normal adult. It's not that difficult.

Menancing tattoos and piercings? Yep, dangerous weapons, those things.

JR

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by Baz

Just asking for the sake of discussion - I have no "horse in the race" and I am not endorsing any behaviour with my query.

Just because something is legal to do, doesn't mean its a polite thing to do. And a having a right to do something is not an obligation to do that thing. The philosophical underpinnings have been a subject of discussion for many decades, but the point here is that even though the guy has a right to open-carry, and he is acting in a completely legal fashion, that does not imply that his actions are not deliberately provocative. And provoking folks is certainly not a polite way to act. We have been told that an armed society is a polite society - well, this armed guy certainly ain't bein' polite.

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

I suspect concealed carry is not available to this douche bag, so he's going with open carry, which frightens people even though it's legal. If it were legal to have your dick hanging out, this clown would be have his 2-incher on display. He obviously wants to provoke people and assert his rights for whatever reason. Maybe he's looking for a legal settlement when somebody violates his rights, who knows. The cops should have been better versed in a citizen's rights, otherwise they're risking a confrontation or lawsuit that they don't need.

I agree with Steve. I have met people like this and it can be amusing, frustrating, and annoying, (let me scratch 'amusing') Such preplanned theatrics are NOT amusing.

Best,

Tom

[nynor]

why did the officer put gloves on?

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by nynor

why did the officer put gloves on?

His hands were cold?

[Rick Lee]

I'm glad I live in a place where OC is normal and cops couldn't care less. You don't get people trying to make a show out of it because it's totally legal and customary.

[nynor]

Originally Posted by SilberUrS6

His hands were cold?

perhaps. it just seems odd that he suddenly needs to put gloves on.

[dennis in se pa]

The guy making this video sounds like he is a candidate for a sex change operation. So he is part female, so he has an excuse for being a pain in the ass.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

The guy in this video sounds like is is a candidate for a sex change operation. So he is part female, so he has an excuse for being a pain in the ass.

I thought they were fairly polite....as was the private citizen.

They were just doing their job - responding to a call about a guy with a gun. I didn't notice what you did.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by nynor

why did the officer put gloves on?

Search and seizure........





After all..........he had a gun!