An earlier thread got me thinking. This is how I deal with folks with a CCW and those who don't have one. Most officers I work with take a similar approach. But I only work for one department. I can't speak for other PD's across the state.
Here in Idaho when I run a person's DL I am automatically informed that they have a concealed permit. The permit number is the same as the DL number. Citizens are not required to inform me that they have a concealed permit. I don't ask them about it and I leave it up to them if they want to tell me. I have also had contact with folks carrying openly in the past. Here in Idaho they can carry openly. How did I handle it? Well I stayed aware of the fact that they were armed and did my job. One time I had to speak to a fella who had a loaded Remington 700 30-06 on the hood of his truck. What did I do?
I politely asked him if I could empty the chamber, keep the bolt open and move the rifle off to the side. I also told him that I wasn't taking his rifle. I made a joke about paranoid cops and he was fine with it. Said if he was in my shoes he would do the same thing.
Now am I trying to set myself up as a real cool guy? No. Here in Idaho gun ownership is taken very seriously and those of us in law enforcement know that it's not something to be messed with. If a local department became known as being anti-gun it would just cause all type of heartburn.
I am a gunowner and many of my fellow officers are gunowners. May of us are also members of the NRA. If you're breaking the law then you'll be in trouble. If you're a law abiding gunowner then there won't be any problems. I might take the occasional preventive measure such as with the rifle, but when I left the rifle and ammo stayed with the owner. My personal experience is that most gunowners understand that our job is a little different and agree with us exercising some caution. As long as I don't act like an a*****e and treat folks with some manners they return the favor. Usually.
Anyway that's how I do things. Now if you're a known gangmember I'm going to be acting a little differently. But the average gangmember is not a lawabiding gunowner - far from it.
Here in Idaho when I run a person's DL I am automatically informed that they have a concealed permit. The permit number is the same as the DL number. Citizens are not required to inform me that they have a concealed permit. I don't ask them about it and I leave it up to them if they want to tell me. I have also had contact with folks carrying openly in the past. Here in Idaho they can carry openly. How did I handle it? Well I stayed aware of the fact that they were armed and did my job. One time I had to speak to a fella who had a loaded Remington 700 30-06 on the hood of his truck. What did I do?
I politely asked him if I could empty the chamber, keep the bolt open and move the rifle off to the side. I also told him that I wasn't taking his rifle. I made a joke about paranoid cops and he was fine with it. Said if he was in my shoes he would do the same thing.
Now am I trying to set myself up as a real cool guy? No. Here in Idaho gun ownership is taken very seriously and those of us in law enforcement know that it's not something to be messed with. If a local department became known as being anti-gun it would just cause all type of heartburn.
I am a gunowner and many of my fellow officers are gunowners. May of us are also members of the NRA. If you're breaking the law then you'll be in trouble. If you're a law abiding gunowner then there won't be any problems. I might take the occasional preventive measure such as with the rifle, but when I left the rifle and ammo stayed with the owner. My personal experience is that most gunowners understand that our job is a little different and agree with us exercising some caution. As long as I don't act like an a*****e and treat folks with some manners they return the favor. Usually.
Anyway that's how I do things. Now if you're a known gangmember I'm going to be acting a little differently. But the average gangmember is not a lawabiding gunowner - far from it.
. but back on track, though, i want to personally thank you for your approach, & let you know, for what its worth, that i deeply appreciate your consideration for the citizens you come in contact with in your job each day. thanks again.
