Gun owners fear Maryland cops target them for traffic stops

[glenncal1]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/30/gun-owners-fear-maryland-cops-target-them-for-traf/

[hurley842002]

Horrible thread title...

[BushMasterBoy]

Maryland home of the citizen loving NSA.

[bobbyfairbanks]

Or what ever reason they want to under the illusion we are doing this to protect everybody. It's just a little violation of your constitutional rights but since it's for the greater good it's ok.


Resist

[sroz]

dont worry the government is your friend. they only search your vehicle for guns, for your own safety....

Nice recovery from your original post...[Coffee]

[Skip]

Or what ever reason they want to under the illusion we are doing this to protect everybody. It's just a little violation of your constitutional rights but since it's for the greater good it's ok.

Resist

And I'm happy they are because ammo stored in the same container as an unloaded pistol in the trunk is a public safety issue. We've all seen how guns can load themselves, along with a high capacity magazine, and before you know it, it's a drive-by shooting.

/sarc

[Ronin13]

Stories like these are saddening, but they are the exception. I expect more rehashing of year or more old stories popping up since right now hating on cops is the "in" thing right now. This too shall pass...

[Ranger353]

I guess what bothers me more about this story is the apparent lack of understanding of the 4th Amendment to the Constitution by Maryland. With the right lawyer this could be a real federal court case that results in a landmark ruling for the constitutionally protected right of free commerce and transport.

[Bailey Guns]

I'm not supporting what the officer did, or Maryland law, in the Filippidis case. But...it sounds to me like he had probable cause for a search based on Maryland law IF the officer's version of events are accurate. I know...that's a big IF.

But the wife indicated to the officer she believed the gun was in the glove box. That alone is probably enough for the officer to reasonably conclude the gun was in the glove box. I can't see a court overturning the search based on a 4th Amendment argument. That's an entirely separate argument from the federal law that allows interstate transport of firearms.

Personally, it sounds like this particular officer has a hard-on for guns and is overzealous in his desires to find them. Doesn't surprise me considering he's in MD. Sounds like guns are the new "drug" for officers working the high-traffic corridors in MD.

[Ranger353]

I'm not supporting what the officer did, or Maryland law, in the Filippidis case. But...it sounds to me like he had probable cause for a search based on Maryland law IF the officer's version of events are accurate. I know...that's a big IF.

But the wife indicated to the officer she believed the gun was in the glove box. That alone is probably enough for the officer to reasonably conclude the gun was in the glove box. I can't see a court overturning the search based on a 4th Amendment argument. That's an entirely separate argument from the federal law that allows interstate transport of firearms.

Personally, it sounds like this particular officer has a hard-on for guns and is overzealous in his desires to find them. Doesn't surprise me considering he's in MD. Sounds like guns are the new "drug" for officers working the high-traffic corridors in MD.
The problem is I can almost guarantee that he ran the tag prior to the stop for the sole purpose of determining if the RO had a CHP from Florida. That was the PC for the stop, which would invalidate the entire event from that point going forward. It would be easy to determine because every time NCIC is accessed there is a time stamped reference to who made the inquiry.

That is a BS stop and his leadership is using an unconstitutional policy to enforce their state law. I don't have a problem with the Maryland law, it's their state and they can do what they want, it's the PC for the stop that highlights the bad, and illegal policy of running a tag for the sole purpose of determining if the driver is a CHP holder in their home state. This is similar to the Wyoming HP stopping and searching cars with Colorado tags looking for MJ.

[sniper7]

Sounds similar to the MJ stops in our border states. Doesn't happen to everybody but happens often enough to make you wonder.

[bobbyfairbanks]

Not one in should ever been given to allow Leo to be invasive. I don't care how many times you've right or how much good you think your doing. This isn't about hating cops this is about wanting to simpy be left alone.

[roberth]

Sounds similar to the MJ stops in our border states. Doesn't happen to everybody but happens often enough to make you wonder.

MMJ is illegal according to federal law which overrides all other laws no matter what. A state law cannot override a federal law. The DEA would be well within their rights to arrest everyone in any pot shop anywhere in Colorado.

MA is violating the 2nd amendment which they signed up for when they joined These United States.

Both of these instances are in violation of the constitution; drug law is a state issue, "shall not be infringed" is a national issue.

[asmo]

In Mr. Filippidis (http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/john-filippidis/)‘ case, he was pulled over because he was going 72 mph in a 55 mph zone and was tailgating the officer, Mr. Green said.


So the officer was also breaking the law. But that's okay, cause code 2 and all.. right?

[Bailey Guns]

The problem is I can almost guarantee that he ran the tag prior to the stop for the sole purpose of determining if the RO had a CHP from Florida. That was the PC for the stop, which would invalidate the entire event from that point going forward. It would be easy to determine because every time NCIC is accessed there is a time stamped reference to who made the inquiry.

That is a BS stop and his leadership is using an unconstitutional policy to enforce their state law. I don't have a problem with the Maryland law, it's their state and they can do what they want, it's the PC for the stop that highlights the bad, and illegal policy of running a tag for the sole purpose of determining if the driver is a CHP holder in their home state. This is similar to the Wyoming HP stopping and searching cars with Colorado tags looking for MJ.

You can "almost guarantee" he ran the tag before the stop? Kinda like the officer "almost guaranteeing" Filippidis had a gun. BTW...his PC for the stop was speeding. Until Filippidis challenges it, it will stand.

According to another story the stop went down like this:


“The Filippidises, on New Year’s Eve eve, were Southbound on Interstate 95, just barely out of the Fort McHenry Tunnel into Maryland, blissfully unarmed and minding their own business when they noticed they were being bird-dogged by an unmarked patrol car. It flanked them a while, then pulled ahead of them, then fell in behind them.”

[Aloha_Shooter]

Maryland home of the citizen loving NSA.

Maryland's intrusive state government has nothing to do with the NSA. You're talking about a state where the governor (then Parris Glendenning) thought he could try to tax military retirements (or a portion of them anyway) for anyone who ever served in the state, whether PCS or TDY.