COP wants to kill open carriers

[Avyctes]

This guy, I'm sure, doesn't speak for his department, town or state.  But his words have definitely made him look like a vigilante cop who wants to kill citizens for exercising their 2nd amendment rights.  I hope they dump this guy.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,585807,00.html?test=latestnews

[Graybeard]

While I agree he should be fired I also agree that anyone knowingly carrying an unloaded weapon openly displayed is STUPID in the extreme if it is known by all that open carried weapons must be unloaded. All you are doing is asking criminals to bop you over the head and take it by force. We need to be smarter than that.

[Squib]

then why can cops do it?

and don't they have a magazine on them or is that against the law in california?  graybeard remember that minimalist protesting is about all they can get away with- at least they're doing something (now getting a terd fired).

[subdjoe]

then why can cops do it?

and don't they have a magazine on them or is that against the law in california?  graybeard remember that minimalist protesting is about all they can get away with- at least they're doing something (now getting a terd fired).

California law is weird.  In theory, one may carry a charged magazine separate from the firearm.  BUT...there is case law that says that a charged magazine is the same as a loaded gun.  Take your pick and choose your choice..

[jimster]

I think GB was just commenting on the stupidy of carrying around unloaded guns for other people to just take cause they know they are unloaded. 
I can't imagine openly carrying an unloaded weapon in a public where everyone knows they are unloaded.

I bet this cop just ruined his own carreer or hurt it badly.  Even if they don't fire him, he is now a burr under the saddle of the rest of the dept.
He will get what he deserves one way or another I bet for being a professional and not acting like one. 

[Squib]

I got on the facebook wall-post and read some of that stuff (I posted too, the rest of you please consider it as well) and it seemed that it's totally legit out there.... and that the cop just wanted to harass people.  I don't doubt there are ways for prosecutors to try to get someone but if they didn't do anything but walk around.... man I think I'd like to do it and get that lawsuit money (were I a CA citizen).  I'm sorry that CA people have that crap going on, I hope this incident takes care of that case law issue.

I think you have to actually have a facebook login to try to post, if you have one then please read up and add your 2 cents!

[Squib]

it is stupid, if they don't have some ammo on them to be put in the gun if needed- that's why I asked.  also cops park with their cars running, guns in a rack in the front seat, cops nowhere to be seen, all the time.... what's stopping a gangbanger from taking those guns?  or average joe walking the dog?  I've never done it but I happen to see an ar unsecured in a patrol car fairly often (I don't live in a great neighborhood, lots of domestic violence type stuff) and always have a quick "hey, it's FREE!" pop in my head.  Now I don't take it becasue I have my own and am not a thief, but if I were less scrupulous it wouldn't be an issue.  I know of MANY unscrupulous people around- what's stopping them?  they don't want to go on a shooting rampage- and that's the point the california protesters are making.  the cops are "legitimate" and licensed, and look what they're doing to people... they made their point to me.  I hope someone else got it.  Hopefully some kids will see that and understand that people with guns aren't evil like on tv- that cops can't just recieve unconditional trust and faith- another generation of california liberalness will just about do it for gun owners on the coast.

[scootrd]

I still laugh when I think about this.

We were visiting my wifes father out in Texas . We climbed into his ford truck to go somewhere and he had a shortened just above legal limits double barrel in the Truck. My wife asked her father "Dad is this thing Loaded' ?

His reply ...

Daughter,  if it a'int loaded.. it's just a stick ..now what good is a stick gonna do me?

 

[gwhilikerz]

Was it that officer that forced someone to go prone? If it was it would seem he is backing up his statements with illegal actions. That is way more than just voicing your opinion.

[MGMorden]

I agree that carrying an unloaded weapon is stupid, but still, at it's core here is still a LEO wanting to step around a law and specifically target gun owners.

If you have Facebook I'd highly recommend joining the group mentioned in the linked article.  When the article was written it had 54 members.  It's now almost 2300.

[searlock]

what step around a law, he is the law.

[mechanic]

Take a nice Smith 357.  Unload it an put it in an open holster.  Whacha got?  A $1000.00 hammer that some punk will take from you and bash you with.

California is full of some of the stupidest laws on the books.  I know and like a lot of people there and from there, but they must have written the book on idiot laws.

[yellowtail3]

So the officer' would like to see some of us proned out, would he? And he's just the man to do it, isn't he?

I'm not supposed to cuss here, am I?

Without the power of the state behind him, this little ----/------ wouldn't be so mouthy. He evinces a kind of LEO attitude which... might be improved by a good beating, or perhaps shooting, after he gets proned out.

On carrying a weapon unloaded: the positive I see is, you don't have to worry about getting proned out by the local jackboots as you carry your gun between your house and car. But actually carrying in public? Holstered, as you're talking a walk, and unloaded? I dont' get that - an empty, visible gun is... probably a liability. Here in NC open carry (loaded, of course) is legal, though I think generally unwise. It upsets people and draws attention, neither of which I want to do. Best keep it concealed, none are the wiser and none distressed. It's there if you need it - no gain in advertising.

[Avyctes]

I totally agree with every ones comments that open carry sans ammo seems silly - to those of us who are allowed to carry however we wish (open carry is legal in WV and concealed with permit, and WV is a 'shall issue' state).

However, in a state such as CA ('may' issue) where it may be difficult to obtain a concealed carry permit (read some about it on Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concealed_carry_in_the_United_States), perhaps these folks are merely exercising their rights in the only legal way left available to them.

Yes, personally, I would never open carry, neither loaded nor unloaded (certainly not unloaded). 

But perhaps these folks are using it as a method of protest like the college kids with the empty holsters did a year or so ago?

I dunno.

[MGMorden]

But perhaps these folks are using it as a method of protest like the college kids with the empty holsters did a year or so ago?

I dunno.

Probably better ways to go about it, but I do see your point.  Best to look for loopholes though.  For example, in SC open carry of a handgun is prohibited unless you're hunting or fishing (we have concealed though).  HOWEVER, in reading the state's legal definition of a handgun, it not only exempts "antiques", but specifically anything that doesn't fire fixed cartridges.  By the letter of the law, you can strap an old 1851 Colt Navy (or reproduction) fully loaded onto your hip, because by the state's laws, it's not legally a firearm. 

Now, I'm sure that's on the case in California, but I think I'd sooner look for a loophole like that - something that leaves me with the ability to fire the weapon if needed, rather than tote around an unloaded gun.  By the time you're reduced to that you might as well open carry a toy gun for all the good it'll do you.