Approached by officer while open carry (NE Ft Wayne)

[MtnBiker6510]

As is the norm for me the last month I removed my CC rig and switched to my OC holster as I left the office to run my errands and go home. The wife asked me to pick up chinese carry-out from Peking restaurant in Georgetown (NE Ft Wayne). As I was getting ready to leave with my carry-out, I was approached by a uniformed police officer. He just casually walked up to the counter while I was paying for my food.
Officer: “Hi there, do you have a permit for your firearm?”
Me: “Yes, I have it in on me right now; would you like to see it?”
Officer: “No thanks, but why do you open carry instead of keeping it concealed? A lot of people are intimidated when they see someone carrying a firearm or make you a target for someone wanting to take it away from you”
Me: “I carry openly as a way of exercising my right, and as a deterrent to violent crime against myself or my family.”
Officer: “I think to carry concealed would be smarter as it gives you the element of surprise.”
Me: “I don’t agree, a deterrent would help avoid a violent crime and relying on the element of surprise is only a reaction to something that has already happened. If that was true you would have undercover officers in banks and not uniformed officers, right?”
Officer: “I disagree”
Me: "okay, thanks for your time. Have a nice evening" and I turned and walked out.

When I walked in I passed a few people and there were a few customers, one of which called the police soon after leaving or watching me enter.


The officer was a nice guy and seemed to be aware of IN handgun laws; just doing his duty. I have been curious as to how the first encounter with PD would go as I’m pretty much guaranteed to be confronted about it from time to time. I hope the next one goes as smooth.

 

[IndySSD]

Sounds to me like nothing to complain about.

He followed up on a report of MWAG. Talked briefly with you on a subject that he felt would make his job easier and maybe he truly believes you would be safer by CC'ing in a respectful manner and you both went on about your business.

Sounds like a reasonable interaction to me.

 

[eldirector]

Handled pretty well, I'd say. On both counts.

 

[esrice]

That's like a textbook version of how it should happen (although it would be nice if it didn't happen at all). Well done sir.

 

[nate1865]

Sounds like he was respectful.

I personally don't use the "I'm exercising my right to OC" argument. I say something more practical like "It's more comfortable." or "It is easier to get to if I need it." or "It's a visible deterrent."

To each their own, though! We live in a free country and don't need to justify being free!

 

[SideArmed]

Handled very well by you and the officer. The sheeple that called the cops, did not handle the situation very well though.

 

[LeeStreet]

CC or OC, will be debated just like the chicken & the egg. You did a good job handling the situtation.

 

[PatriotPride]

Looks to me like it was well-handled. I'm surprised, considering the officer was a Ft. Wayne officer. Not the most carry-friendly department, but as this interaction shows, not every officer in that department is an idiot.

 

[nate1865]

I've always wondered why policeman use the argument that OC only invites crime when they OC themselves.

I mean, it's obvious that they are dressed to be a visible deterrent to crime. It works.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I've always wondered why policeman use the argument that OC only invites crime when they OC themselves

"You're right, officer! I never thought about how open carrying attracts crime. Then for officer safety I will move the city council to disarm all law enforcement officers at once--in the name of officer safety."

 

[KG1]

Sounds like a decent interaction. Two adults carrying out a resonable conversation and expressing their opinions on both sides of the issue. Just proves that there's no need to kick up the dirt and get all hardcore.

 

[T.Lex]

For police, the gun doesn't deter crime as much as the radio does.

Well, really, the proximity of a police officer is what is the deterrent. IME, most violent crimes are gauged in part by the police response-time. The gun is basically superfluous.

As for the OP, nicely handled. Once on-scene, the officer has to do SOMETHING, so might as well engage in conversation.

 

[youngda9]

Handled well +1.

 

[MtnBiker6510]

...I personally don't use the "I'm exercising my right to OC" argument. I say something more practical like "It's more comfortable." or "It is easier to get to if I need it." or "It's a visible deterrent."....

In hindsight I would've said something different. Next time I'll probably do as you stated. "Its much easier & faster to get to if I need to".

 

[jsharmon7]

I've always wondered why policeman use the argument that OC only invites crime when they OC themselves.

I mean, it's obvious that they are dressed to be a visible deterrent to crime. It works.

The police OC because everyone knows he/she is armed anyway. People expect them to be carrying. I think the reference to "inviting crime" is in the context of someone shooting an OC'er during a robbery to take out a threat, or to rob them of their gun. I've only heard of one situation where an OC'er was robbed of their gun, so I don't really put much stock into that argument. I CC off-duty because it's my preference just like some folks OC because it's their preference. I don't believe that any of the OC confrontations posted here on INGO are instigated by gun enthusiasts, but rather people who hate guns. The only reason these confrontations occur is because the gun is visible and triggers their irrational fear/dislike. In that regard, I don't think it's so much about the person OC'ing as it is about the person carrying in the first place. If the blue haired old lady saw the shirt ride up on a CC'er to expose the handgun I'm sure she would still cause trouble. What I'm trying to say is that the issue is the gun, not the method of carry. Gun enthusiasts on INGO may argue the topic of CC vs. OC to death, but I doubt it's the CC folks who are the ones calling in the MWAG calls.

 

[TriggerWork]

In hindsight I would've said something different. Next time I'll probably do as you stated. "Its much easier & faster to get to if I need to".

This has always been my thought as well. That encounter seemed to be very tolerable, if only all law enforcement had that mindset (respect).

 

[Pocketman]

+2 Sounds like an appropriate encounter by both parties.

Officers cary a boatload of stuff on their "toolbelts." It goes beyond just open carrying a gun. BTW - The IRS doesn't buy into classifying LEO guns as "tools."

 

[Scutter01]

You should have gotten the officer's name and called his commander to let him know about your positive encounter.

 

[Timjoebillybob]

Handled pretty well, I'd say. On both counts.

Yep that's my opinion also.

 

[Timjoebillybob]

You should have gotten the officer's name and called his commander to let him know about your positive encounter.

+1