How would any of you of handled this?

[Eggysrun]

Generally if you use tact when speaking with a police officer in situations like this they aren't gonna be dickheads. I open carry sometimes, even with police around Ive never been harassed nor did I give the public a reason to be concerned. When I open carry I use discretion (like ccw) and tact if people say anything

This video proves oregons public ignorant to gun laws (thus calling the cops) and douche bags open carrying to prove points on the internet, stirring shit up rather than protect himself.

[rondog]

I didn't watch the video, but is this the same guy that's known for putting himself in situations like this just so he can video it and put it on YouTube? The guy I'm thinking of is kind of a "baiter", in my opinion. Seen him baiting cops and Border Patrol officers before so he can spout and spew about his rights and quote laws, and get it all on camera.

<edit> Just watched a bit of it, sure sounds like the same asshole. Excercising your rights is fine, but doing it so you can bait cops and try your damnedest to piss 'em off ain't right. You can't tell me he's not doing that, because he's always prepared to video it, so that shows intent to cause a confrontation, IMO.

[speedysst]

I didn't watch the video, but is this the same guy that's known for putting himself in situations like this just so he can video it and put it on YouTube? The guy I'm thinking of is kind of a "baiter", in my opinion. Seen him baiting cops and Border Patrol officers before so he can spout and spew about his rights and quote laws, and get it all on camera.

<edit> Just watched a bit of it, sure sounds like the same asshole. Excercising your rights is fine, but doing it so you can bait cops and try your damnedest to piss 'em off ain't right. You can't tell me he's not doing that, because he's always prepared to video it, so that shows intent to cause a confrontation, IMO.

My thoughts exactly. It seems to me he wanted a confrontation.

[mcantar18c]

That "better than thou" attitude that goes with that separation is exactly why it irritates the hell out of me when I hear/see people use "civilians" to refer to the people that aren't cops when talking about LE situations... especially when the one doing it IS a cop.

As for the military side of it... right now, I am not a civilian, and there IS a distinction. My job is not a job but a lifestyle, I can't go home whenever I want to, I even have to live by different laws than a civilian does (UCMJ), and so on. When I get out, I will no longer be on this side of the fence. I will be a civilian, just like you. Am I "better" than a civilian? I don't know, that's not for me to decide.

Your quote specifies it as "on active duty with a military, naval ... organization." the DoD has a clear separation between Active Duty personell and those in the Army Nat. Guard or the Army/Navy/AF/USMC Reserve. Different pay levels, benefits, funding, etc. They're all considered military, but only active duty are active duty.

[Birddog1911]

I carry concealed 99% of the time, but I see no reason to say "as it should be". This is still supposed to be a free country, and a free state, and I'll carry open, should I so choose.

[palepainter]

Honestly, I was more impressed with how the officer handled him self than the guy carrying. I probably would have given the guy my ID just to ease him with knowing that I am not a felon and am in my rights to open carry.

[BlasterBob]

If that "open carry " guy lives in the Portland area, he'd better make damn sure that he NOW complies with ALL traffic ordinances when he is driving in that city..

[bradbn4]

Always nice to have popcorn handy to enjoy these threads. . .

Only time I can see myself open carrying is while hunting or at one of those special BBQ events with friends.

I am in the group of folks that think it's better when packing to be concealed versus open carry. I would give a "-1" to the cop for gun on how he handled the loaded firearm. I would give a +1 to the guy for the good references to case law. One of the points that the guy gave was the reference that open carry in that area was not considered brandishing.

[Waywardson174]

So let's say this guy is out to make himself the center of the issue. He is drawing attention to a prevalent anti-gun culture in this nation. There are more than 300 million firearms in this nation, but many more than half of us don't own a firearm. Talking to classmates, they relate "that time they shot a .22 once" as their entire firearm experience. This guy was less than polite, but he was right on every point. An officer cannot detain (that is restrain from free movement) a person without reasonable suspicion (a belief that goes beyond a hunch based on articulable facts that a person is or has committed a crime).

When open carry is legal, it is legal and cannot be a fact on which the suspicion is based without a separate indication of unlawfulness.

Yes, police officers have a tough job to do. But their responsibility to uphold the citizens' right is as important as enforcement of statutes. This cop did not have a reasonable suspicion to stop a this guy. An anonymous tip IS NEVER enough without something more.

The only way to educate people about our and their rights is by acts of exercise. Whether I open or conceal carry, if it is legal then it is my right. If I am subjected to violations of that right then I have a responsibility resist the violation.

If believe you have a right to carry, then whether you agree or not with his tactic you must support the principle, otherwise you are just another citizen slowly observing the erosion of your ability to possess, carry, and use the firearms we all hold dear.

As an aside, the idea this guy was spoiling and ready for a confrontation is ludicrous based on the video. Few of us walk around w/o a camera phone in our pockets. If this guy were really looking to make a stink of it and get famous he would have a) focused more on capturing quality images of the confrontation, b) brought a buddy to video as a third party, or c) had a camera crew following along at a distance and mic'd himself up. The guy who "invaded" ACORN did so with pretty good hidden cameras which are obviously not present here.

[Adawg38]

I thought this guy new his stuff. I'm sure he was upset for being stopped doing nothing wrong and being withing his rights. I know we all don't want to be harassed when walking down the street legally open carrying a firearm and probably are shocked when we know more laws then the officers who are there to enforce them but this guy could have been more respectful to the officer doing his job and just said everything a little more calmly and respectfully. He was just possibly warming himself up to giving the officers a reason to arrest him.