Colorado State Troopers Who Don't Know the Laws

[BamBams]

This happened to me 2 weeks ago!

It was sunny day and I'm on my way to work at the gun shop in Colorado Springs in a borrowed Volvo since my pick-up is getting an engine replaced.

I approach a construction zone where the speed drops, abruptly, from 55 to 35mph. I'm trying to slow down, but the Volvo's brake rotors are glazed over and squealing like a Banshee.

The next thing I know, the Colorado State Trooper is right on my butt and waiting for a safe place to pull me over. Here come the flashing lights.

Well, the first thing he wants to know is why I'm not wearing my seatbelt. I HATE seatbeats, but I don't answer his question since I don't have to.

Now he asks for my license, registration, and proof of insurance. He notices the stainless Kimber on my belt and freaks out.

"Why do you have a gun?" I decided he needed to be calmed down, even though I am not required to answer that question either.

I say, "Two reasons: I work in a gun shop and it's for personal protection."

Then he asks me, "Is it REGISTERED in your name?" I reply with, "Colorado does not require firearms registration."

He then asks, "Oh well, but are you the OWNER this gun?" I say "Yes."

He then asks, "Do you have a PERMIT for this gun?" I reply, "Yes I sure do."

Colorado does NOT require a permit for open carry of a firearm, NOR does it require a permit for having a loaded firearm in one's vehicle.

He then asks me to slowly exit the vehicle, keeping my hands away from the gun, and to place my hands on the hood of the car."

At this point, he removes the Kimber from my holster and takes it over to the patrol car where he proceeds to remove a cartridge from the chamber and remove the magazine.

He then leaves my Kimber in his car, and returns to me. "Please give me your license and your concealed carry permit. I comply. Then he asks me to get back inside my vehicle.

25 minutes later he returns with my paperwork and my magazine. He asks me to place the magazine in my glove box "for now."

He apologizes that I had to wait so long, and tells me the reason was that my CWP is not in the computer, so my Sheriff's office had to be contacted to confirm the validity of my permit.

He then has the nerve to say, "I advise you to contact your Sheriff as soon as possible and request that your permit information be entered into the DATABASE because you just made a police officer VERY nervous."

I didn't tell him that my Sheriff's office does not maintain a networked database of permit holders and refuses to do so.

Then he hands me my ticket and says, "Since you didn't try to lie about wearing your seatbelt, I'm going to forego the speeding ticket and just issue you one for not wearing a seatbelt."

Well heck, I am not quite so sure I was speeding anyway! The last thing I remember was being totally aware of the need to slow down as rapidly as possible.

Anyway folks.....I just needed to vent. This whole thing really pissed me off.

[Dali Llama]

This happened to me 2 weeks ago!

It was sunny day and I'm on my way to work at the gun shop in Colorado Springs in a borrowed Volvo since my pick-up is getting an engine replaced.

I approach a construction zone where the speed drops, abruptly, from 55 to 35mph. I'm trying to slow down, but the Volvo's brake rotors are glazed over and squealing like a Banshee.

The next thing I know, the Colorado State Trooper is right on my butt and waiting for a safe place to pull me over. Here come the flashing lights.

Well, the first thing he wants to know is why I'm not wearing my seatbelt. I HATE seatbeats, but I don't answer his question since I don't have to.

Now he asks for my license, registration, and proof of insurance. He notices the stainless Kimber on my belt and freaks out.

"Why do you have a gun?" I decided he needed to be calmed down, even though I am not required to answer that question either.

I say, "Two reasons: I work in a gun shop and it's for personal protection."

Then he asks me, "Is it REGISTERED in your name?" I reply with, "Colorado does not require firearms registration."

He then asks, "Oh well, but are you the OWNER this gun?" I say "Yes."

He then asks, "Do you have a PERMIT for this gun?" I reply, "Yes I sure do."

Colorado does NOT require a permit for open carry of a firearm, NOR does it require a permit for having a loaded firearm in one's vehicle.

He then asks me to slowly exit the vehicle, keeping my hands away from the gun, and to place my hands on the hood of the car."

At this point, he removes the Kimber from my holster and takes it over to the patrol car where he proceeds to remove a cartridge from the chamber and remove the magazine.

He then leaves my Kimber in his car, and returns to me. "Please give me your license and your concealed carry permit. I comply. Then he asks me to get back inside my vehicle.

25 minutes later he returns with my paperwork and my magazine. He asks me to place the magazine in my glove box "for now."

He apologizes that I had to wait so long, and tells me the reason was that my CWP is not in the computer, so my Sheriff's office had to be contacted to confirm the validity of my permit.

He then has the nerve to say, "I advise you to contact your Sheriff as soon as possible and request that your permit information be entered into the DATABASE because you just made a police officer VERY nervous."

I didn't tell him that my Sheriff's office does not maintain a networked database of permit holders and refuses to do so.

Then he hands me my ticket and says, "Since you didn't try to lie about wearing your seatbelt, I'm going to forego the speeding ticket and just issue you one for not wearing a seatbelt."

Well heck, I am not quite so sure I was speeding anyway! The last thing I remember was being totally aware of the need to slow down as rapidly as possible.

Anyway folks.....I just needed to vent. This whole thing really pissed me off.

Dali Llama say he curious why BamBams wait two weeks to share mistreatment story with forum members? :?  :?  :?

[Nightrain52]

I'm not trying to stir the pot but put yourself in the LEO's place. You were a total stranger to him. Yes, it was a hassle but given the situation it seemed he handled it in a professional manner. You weren't handcuffed which most officers would have done until things were straightened out. Seems to me the system worked the way it was supposed too.

[BamBams]

Nightrain:  I'm not so much complaining about the "way" I was handled.  I am primarily ranting about the officer's lack of knowledge of the laws/rights he is supposed to uphold.  Regarding his professionalism though: Please try and see MY side also.  He asked intrusive questions of a personal nature that I am not required to answer.  He detained me for a half hour to validate a permit that I was not even required to have.  He humilated me in public for no reason at all, etc etc etc.   Had he handcuffed me, he'd be facing harassment charges right now.  He had absolutely no reason to feel threatened by me, other than the fact that he didn't enjoy being on a level playing field with Mr. Law Abiding Civilian for a few minutes.  Well, all except the seat belt law that is.  *smiles*

I'm not going to name names, but a person with a great deal of authority over this officer just sent me this email about 15 minutes ago:

"There are some in law enforcement who do not like guns, period.
Others (such as most in the EPSO) are ok with it.
I can tell you that even many prosecutors do not understand that in Colorado, as in many Western states, one may openly carry guns. I win many over with the thought that criminals NEVER open carry; they hide guns.  Personally, I like open carry. And I like concealed carry. And I like the second amendment (it secures all of the other amendments)."

This brought a big smile to my face.  It's certainly comforting to know that there are people in my government of this caliber.

[Dali Llama]

This happened to me 2 weeks ago!

Anyway folks.....I just needed to vent. This whole thing really pissed me off.

Dali Llama say he curious why BamBams wait two weeks to share mistreatment story with forum members? :?  :?  :?

btt for BamBams... :?  :?  :?

[BamBams]

This happened to me 2 weeks ago!

It was sunny day and I'm on my way to work at the gun shop in Colorado Springs in a borrowed Volvo since my pick-up is getting an engine replaced.

I approach a construction zone where the speed drops, abruptly, from 55 to 35mph. I'm trying to slow down, but the Volvo's brake rotors are glazed over and squealing like a Banshee.

The next thing I know, the Colorado State Trooper is right on my butt and waiting for a safe place to pull me over. Here come the flashing lights.

Well, the first thing he wants to know is why I'm not wearing my seatbelt. I HATE seatbeats, but I don't answer his question since I don't have to.

Now he asks for my license, registration, and proof of insurance. He notices the stainless Kimber on my belt and freaks out.

"Why do you have a gun?" I decided he needed to be calmed down, even though I am not required to answer that question either.

I say, "Two reasons: I work in a gun shop and it's for personal protection."

Then he asks me, "Is it REGISTERED in your name?" I reply with, "Colorado does not require firearms registration."

He then asks, "Oh well, but are you the OWNER this gun?" I say "Yes."

He then asks, "Do you have a PERMIT for this gun?" I reply, "Yes I sure do."

Colorado does NOT require a permit for open carry of a firearm, NOR does it require a permit for having a loaded firearm in one's vehicle.

He then asks me to slowly exit the vehicle, keeping my hands away from the gun, and to place my hands on the hood of the car."

At this point, he removes the Kimber from my holster and takes it over to the patrol car where he proceeds to remove a cartridge from the chamber and remove the magazine.

He then leaves my Kimber in his car, and returns to me. "Please give me your license and your concealed carry permit. I comply. Then he asks me to get back inside my vehicle.

25 minutes later he returns with my paperwork and my magazine. He asks me to place the magazine in my glove box "for now."

He apologizes that I had to wait so long, and tells me the reason was that my CWP is not in the computer, so my Sheriff's office had to be contacted to confirm the validity of my permit.

He then has the nerve to say, "I advise you to contact your Sheriff as soon as possible and request that your permit information be entered into the DATABASE because you just made a police officer VERY nervous."

I didn't tell him that my Sheriff's office does not maintain a networked database of permit holders and refuses to do so.

Then he hands me my ticket and says, "Since you didn't try to lie about wearing your seatbelt, I'm going to forego the speeding ticket and just issue you one for not wearing a seatbelt."

Well heck, I am not quite so sure I was speeding anyway! The last thing I remember was being totally aware of the need to slow down as rapidly as possible.

Anyway folks.....I just needed to vent. This whole thing really pissed me off.

Dali Llama say he curious why BamBams wait two weeks to share mistreatment story with forum members? :?  :?  :?

No particular reason Dali.  It just turned out that way.

[Mauser]

As much as I respect police officers and think their job is often thankless I am getting sick and tired of their habit of putting people in cuffs or shooting dogs or whatever to "secure the area" for their safety.  At some point we have to ask are cops going too far when they cuff 9 year olds and shoot Fluffy to "protect themselves".  Nobody forced them to be a cop and everybody knows the dangers that that job entails going in.  If you want a safe job, sell insurance or something.

The most important thing we have in this country is our civil liberties.  Without them-even for 20 minutes-we aren't that much better than anybody else.

[Dali Llama]

This happened to me 2 weeks ago!

It was sunny day and I'm on my way to work at the gun shop in Colorado Springs in a borrowed Volvo since my pick-up is getting an engine replaced.

I approach a construction zone where the speed drops, abruptly, from 55 to 35mph. I'm trying to slow down, but the Volvo's brake rotors are glazed over and squealing like a Banshee.

The next thing I know, the Colorado State Trooper is right on my butt and waiting for a safe place to pull me over. Here come the flashing lights.

Well, the first thing he wants to know is why I'm not wearing my seatbelt. I HATE seatbeats, but I don't answer his question since I don't have to.

Now he asks for my license, registration, and proof of insurance. He notices the stainless Kimber on my belt and freaks out.

"Why do you have a gun?" I decided he needed to be calmed down, even though I am not required to answer that question either.

I say, "Two reasons: I work in a gun shop and it's for personal protection."

Then he asks me, "Is it REGISTERED in your name?" I reply with, "Colorado does not require firearms registration."

He then asks, "Oh well, but are you the OWNER this gun?" I say "Yes."

He then asks, "Do you have a PERMIT for this gun?" I reply, "Yes I sure do."

Colorado does NOT require a permit for open carry of a firearm, NOR does it require a permit for having a loaded firearm in one's vehicle.

He then asks me to slowly exit the vehicle, keeping my hands away from the gun, and to place my hands on the hood of the car."

At this point, he removes the Kimber from my holster and takes it over to the patrol car where he proceeds to remove a cartridge from the chamber and remove the magazine.

He then leaves my Kimber in his car, and returns to me. "Please give me your license and your concealed carry permit. I comply. Then he asks me to get back inside my vehicle.

25 minutes later he returns with my paperwork and my magazine. He asks me to place the magazine in my glove box "for now."

He apologizes that I had to wait so long, and tells me the reason was that my CWP is not in the computer, so my Sheriff's office had to be contacted to confirm the validity of my permit.

He then has the nerve to say, "I advise you to contact your Sheriff as soon as possible and request that your permit information be entered into the DATABASE because you just made a police officer VERY nervous."

I didn't tell him that my Sheriff's office does not maintain a networked database of permit holders and refuses to do so.

Then he hands me my ticket and says, "Since you didn't try to lie about wearing your seatbelt, I'm going to forego the speeding ticket and just issue you one for not wearing a seatbelt."

Well heck, I am not quite so sure I was speeding anyway! The last thing I remember was being totally aware of the need to slow down as rapidly as possible.

Anyway folks.....I just needed to vent. This whole thing really pissed me off.

Dali Llama say he curious why BamBams wait two weeks to share mistreatment story with forum members? :?  :?  :?

No particular reason Dali.  It just turned out that way.

Dali Llama say he appreciate response, as he merely thought it unusual that someone wait two weeks to share such apparently unnerving experience. :-)  :-)  

[Nightrain52]

I think a lot of the problems are the newer officers are trained to handle a situation in "the worst case scenerio." Probably 95 percent of the people they come into contact with are law abiding citizens that intend no harm but due to there training they are taught to handle the situation in this manner. I wish all states would pass "open carry" laws. I think it would help cut the crime rate but this will never happen. As more and more places become urbanized this attitude is only going to get worse. When I was a kid you could walk down the side of the road with a rifle or shotgun on your shoulder and nothing was said but now it would draw a response from the swat team. Times are changing and not all for the good. Sad to say these encounters are only going to get worse.

[Dali Llama]

Times are changing and not all for the good.

Dali Llama say that be significant understatement... :oops:

[BamBams]

RANT ALERT!  RANT ALERT!  RANT ALERT!

Yes indeed!  Times are changing.  The far left has gotten most of the things they've wanted for the past several decades.  One would think they would, at this point, realize they don't know what's best for themselves.  From Woodstock, to many years of feeding a constant supply of Hollywood brand manure to our impressionable youth, and now wanting to marry the same sex and legitimize extreme, sick perversion.

Yup, if you want to know why our country sucks more each day, ya don't have to look any further than over your left shoulder.

The good news is that the normal and sensible people in this country are finally learning how to fight to stem the tide of liberalism and socialism.  And we're doing it.  A lot of folks are now saying "enough is enough."  Many of them even post here.  Our numbers are indeed bigger.  It's just that we haven't played the game until recently.

We can win.  We will win because we have no choice anymore.  To snooze means to give the enemy more ground.   What bugs me most right now is our Churches.  Why?  They are too afraid to become politically involved.  The liberals have perceived the dangers of the "Church" well in advance.  Just think back to all the whoopla about "Separation of Church & State."  And why is this an issue anyway?  Simple.  The liberals want to keep the grassroots of America as trimmed as possible.

Churches need to start teaching and motivating their members to manuever the political system, and be willing to take the risks that come along with it.  Instead of relentlessly praying and making noise, they need to put some feet to those prayers - which is a "howto" book unto itself.

We need to regain CONTROL of the government, and that happens by either running for an office, or voting, or both. Pretty simple huh?  You don't need to fear a John Kerry if he can't get the votes.

Now this may piss off some of you, but do I care?  We've gotten too fat and lazy eating our venison burgers and drinking our beer.  We've done this for so long now, that most of us don't even possess enough sense of self-worth to even run for our local school boards.  We've gotten self-centered to the point where we're not willing to get off our happy little butts to fix anything.

If you added up the number of gun owners and Christians in this country, and if they ALL voted at least ONCE a year, that would be the end of the socialist threat in America. Fast and quick!   The problem is so obvious here that it's rediculous to even have to type it out.

We ALREADY have the backbone, and the saddest thing to ponder is how the liberals and socialists have been ever paralyzing it on us for years and years.  The bible has a proverb that goes something like this: "All a man has to do is fold up his arms for a little while and danger at poverty will be right at his doorstep."

So where is YOUR enthusiasm?  Do you get sick and tired of hearing people ask you to vote?  To you get sick and tired of hearing people ask you to write letters?  If so, WHERE is your enthusiam?  Do you think it won't make any difference anyway?  IF so, then you're already dead, and you ARE the problem.

In any case, more of us are making our names known instead of hiding in a box called home, or church, or the woods.  This is a GOOD thing.

[Dali Llama]

 We will win because we have no choice anymore.

Ain't that the truth, say Dali Llama! :-)

[jh45gun]

One problem Bambams is that while I respect most cops they are not always on top of all the laws and they let the courts straighten that out. I have asked some cops questions that they could not answer and told me to contact the district attorney's office for a answer. You knew the laws because you made it your business to know which was a good idea!! Maybe now he will know the laws for the next time as he has had some prior expirience with the gun laws instead of a routine traffic stop? I agree with you though that getting roused for carrying a gun sucks I had the same thing happen to me but mine was cased because WI does not have CC yet.  :cry:  Jim

[Dali Llama]

you made it your business to know which was a good idea!!

...and that be wise advice for all of us, say Dali Llama. :-)

[BamBams]

Okay, Okay,  I'm saying 10 times.....

I Forgive The Cop
I Forgive The Cop

oh darn, I'll finish tomorrow.......hehehe

[Nightrain52]

You're right Bam-Bams. The most important thing is to get out and vote. If you don't like how things are being run become a candidate and try to make some changes. We can take our country back but we need a show of strength. Don't do as I did and wait until you are 40yrs. old to vote the first time and don't think your vote is unimportant, every vote counts. We need to send a message to the liberals that we are tired of the status- quo and we're not going to take it anymore.  :eek:  :shock:

[Dali Llama]

Don't do as I did and wait until you are 40yrs. old to vote the first time

[Mikey]

jh45gun:  Jim, that attitude seems prevalent among most cops these days.  Too often you hear - well, you may be right but I'll let the judge decide that (at your personal cost to your attorney and the courts).  And, that sucks.  

I overheard something similar at the range a week ago and let the leo know that his indeciveness and lack of discretion could cost him out of his pocket.  LEOs may be held harmless from criminal action (complaints, etc) when they decide to cuff and stuff ya, confiscate your piece and let you worry about defending yourself in court but they are not held harmless, are liable in civil court and can be charged for both monetary and civil damages (emotional trauma, loss of revenue, damages to one's community standing).  They were quite surprised to hear that, and may think twice before becoming future buttsniffs.  They were also quite surprised and not too happy to hear that if they did that once to someone, the next time they try it they may encounter a very hostile citizen who has either their Zone or Shift Cmmr right up their butts before they even get you to roll your window down.  Too much is just too much.  Mikey.

[Dali Llama]

Too often you hear - well, you may be right but I'll let the judge decide that (at your personal cost to your attorney and the courts).  

:evil:  :x  :twisted:

[papajohn428]

Bam-Bams, I would have been hard pressed to keep as quiet as you did, and I'm an XLEO.  I'd have been in that cop's face so fast.....sheeesh, I hate dealing with amateurs!  And rookies are a pain.

My Field Training Officer told me (in Missouri, where CCW was Illegal) that if you find a gun, and it's in a good holster, 99% of the time you're dealing with an upstanding citizen who is aware of the perils of modern society.  If the gun is hidden, and the subject lies about it, consider his character.  If a cop told me guns made him nervous, I'd tell him cops make me nervous, and I was one!  And as for him not knowing his own local laws and ordinances, shame on him!  That would have gotten him a lecture and a phone call to his supervisor, if not his Chief!  Sounds like this "scared little cop" needs a good talking to about how to treat citizens!  :evil:

Maybe he needs to find a line of work he's better suited to........like being a prison guard, where no one is armed!   :wink:

PJ

[Dali Llama]

Maybe he needs to find a line of work he's better suited to........like being a prison guard, where no one is armed!  

...and his 'traffic stops' would be limited to the Hershey Highway, say Dali Llama! :evil:  :x  :twisted: