In closing, I am pretty pleased w the response I got. I know a lot of county and city cops and most of them are real good guys and gals who wear the badge well. I remember being a rookie. I didn't know s$&@ from shinola either. I bet he learned from this.
As long as you are happy with the results that is a win.
Hopefully both the new officer and his supervisor both apologized to you, hopefully all the officers in the department now understand that OC on your own property does not require any license at all, and OC in public is also legal as long a you have a LTCH.
Can't rep you again, sorry...
This is just me but if I am on my own property I will tell that officer or anyone else to either arrest me or get off of my property. I am on my property, I have nothing to prove. I will not show you my papers. You prove I do not belong there and then we can talk.After spending the last hour reading through this thread, I think its safe to say that this was an unfortunate act of ignorance and arrogance that appears to have an ending with a little bit of education for some that desperately needed it. That can be a good thing but it shouldn't have to come at the expense of the OP enduring harassment.
I do have a thought that I'd like to add and hear opinions about though. There's no disputing the fact that this particular officer didn't handle this well. However, an officer responding to a call like this really has no idea who this person is or if they actually live there. Yes, it should appear obvious that a man casually mowing a lawn most likely does live there, but I don't think any good officer is going to make any assumptions. Given this fact, maybe asking for a LTCH may not have been such a ridiculous thing to do if done properly. When the OP questioned the officer's reasons for asking for it, the officer could have simply explained in a professional manner that he doesn't know who he is or where he lives and once that is established he will likely just be on his way. Of course the officer could simply ask for ID to establish his residence but given the fact that a firearm is involved dealing with that first by requesting his LTCH could be considered a prudent thing to do. Again, its all about how its done, not necessarily what is done.
After spending the last hour reading through this thread, I think its safe to say that this was an unfortunate act of ignorance and arrogance that appears to have an ending with a little bit of education for some that desperately needed it. That can be a good thing but it shouldn't have to come at the expense of the OP enduring harassment.
I do have a thought that I'd like to add and hear opinions about though. There's no disputing the fact that this particular officer didn't handle this well. However, an officer responding to a call like this really has no idea who this person is or if they actually live there. Yes, it should appear obvious that a man casually mowing a lawn most likely does live there, but I don't think any good officer is going to make any assumptions. Given this fact, maybe asking for a LTCH may not have been such a ridiculous thing to do if done properly. When the OP questioned the officer's reasons for asking for it, the officer could have simply explained in a professional manner that he doesn't know who he is or where he lives and once that is established he will likely just be on his way. Of course the officer could simply ask for ID to establish his residence but given the fact that a firearm is involved dealing with that first by requesting his LTCH could be considered a prudent thing to do. Again, its all about how its done, not necessarily what is done.
After spending the last hour reading through this thread, I think its safe to say that this was an unfortunate act of ignorance and arrogance that appears to have an ending with a little bit of education for some that desperately needed it. That can be a good thing but it shouldn't have to come at the expense of the OP enduring harassment.
I do have a thought that I'd like to add and hear opinions about though. There's no disputing the fact that this particular officer didn't handle this well. However, an officer responding to a call like this really has no idea who this person is or if they actually live there. Yes, it should appear obvious that a man casually mowing a lawn most likely does live there, but I don't think any good officer is going to make any assumptions. Given this fact, maybe asking for a LTCH may not have been such a ridiculous thing to do if done properly. When the OP questioned the officer's reasons for asking for it, the officer could have simply explained in a professional manner that he doesn't know who he is or where he lives and once that is established he will likely just be on his way. Of course the officer could simply ask for ID to establish his residence but given the fact that a firearm is involved dealing with that first by requesting his LTCH could be considered a prudent thing to do. Again, its all about how its done, not necessarily what is done.
May all be true but lack of training doesn't make someone an a**hole. That was his personality coming out. Some type of anger management should be taught. His whole attitude speaks volumes for why he wants to be a cop.Sorry for your bad encounter. I assure you that not all LEO's are that way. I have to admit that firearms laws aren't one of the training topics normally brought up in annual training, but my former department did keep us updated with laws as they changed, and the state posts those changes. The individual officer needs to take the initiative to make sure he/she knows at least the most common laws concerning firearm carry.
Just observation but I have a thought that the "Serve" seems to have moved to serving a department, policy, or idealism moreso than it means to Serve the Public anymore.Just like every coin has two sides, there are always different ways of handling things. however in situations like these it also comes down to the PO's personality. I know that a very good vast majority of police officers are good people and only want the best for the public that they serve, but it's the one's that put on that shield and carry the mind set that they are the one's in charge and they will be obeyed not matter the right or wrong of it. It's those officer's that we see and hear about in the news and from our friends. it is those officer's that place the burden mistrust upon all those with-in law enforcement.
It is sad to say that the only time or rather most of the time i should say. that we only hear of those police that are good and do their jobs, after they have either lost their lives or done something heroic.
Just like every coin has two sides, there are always different ways of handling things. however in situations like these it also comes down to the PO's personality. I know that a very good vast majority of police officers are good people and only want the best for the public that they serve, but it's the one's that put on that shield and carry the mind set that they are the one's in charge and they will be obeyed not matter the right or wrong of it. It's those officer's that we see and hear about in the news and from our friends. it is those officer's that place the burden mistrust upon all those with-in law enforcement.
It is sad to say that the only time or rather most of the time i should say. that we only hear of those police that are good and do their jobs, after they have either lost their lives or done something heroic.
Just observation but I have a thought that the "Serve" seems to have moved to serving a department, policy, or idealism moreso than it means to Serve the Public anymore.
It used to be that we were glad to see LEO in our neighborhoods, restaurants, etc. They were a welcome part of our smaller neighborhoods and a comforting presence. Our friends.
Now it's gotten to the point if you see a cop you that paranoia sets in and you cover your arse. Check the speedometer, rear view mirror, and just see if you've done something wrong.
Cops have become like a "stranger coming to the door" There's almost never good news from the visit.
My mindset is IF I see a bad guy type I know what to expect and avoid the situation. IF I see a cop I never know what's up. Hard to avoid them. Paranoia? probably so but there's reason for it
I just wish we could resurrect that trust and comfort with LEO again.
I think we're all being shorted without that comforting presence.
I don't like the "US vs. THEM" feeling. There's got to be a way to drop the "Them" from all of this and just make it "US" again.
I don't know the mindset of LEO at all. I don't know why "US vs. THEM" exists on "THEIR" side. I do know why it exists on "OUR" side.
I support and thank our LEOs but I'm not too fond of the means or perceptions.
I sort of agree but not completely. Yes the officer needs to establish who a person and that may mean asking for ID. But my understanding is that a person does not need to have an LTCH on private property if the owner gives them permission to be there.
Pretty safe to assume that a random person did not just decide to start mowing the lawn without the knowledge and permission of the homeowner. So in this case it could be argued that it really doesn't matter who the person is.
The gun is irrelevant.
How would people like it if the police just went around asking for identification?