Sad Days Happen all Across "Amerika"
First, I must say that this is not at all shocking to me. Even in Michigan we have mall jerks who one can tell by facial expression and bodily gestures alone they are just looking for a confrontation. Yes, I am being serious. My favorite ones are the ones who run "back-up" riding on their jet-powered, Buck Rogers UFO "thingy". You know, the two-wheeled things that our Pres. crashed on? Snicker, snicker, snicker. (Off-topic--sorry).
Anyhow, even with Michigan's extreme clarity about concealed carry, these fools actively follow and monitor people who they assume to be carrying. Walk into the Great Lakes Crossing Mall (GLCM) in Auburn Hills, MI and see for yourself. Leave your shirttails untucked and shop the hallway stands. They will swarm on you like bees. I have seen it multiple times.
Also, when entering the same mall via Bass Pro Shop, I have seen them stop people at the entrance when they know that they are carrying (i.e. shoot then shop) and ask them "How many guns and how many rounds of ammo are you carrying?" Who the crap cares? I have actually witnessed this with my own eyes and ears. I have also witnessed them stop these same people and make them reveal their CCW when carried off-body as in a tote, then proceed to search it. That they post a sign that says, "All bags carried herein are subject to search..." doesn't cut it for me. One cannot rescind their rights--they are that, rights.
I save the best for last. And this is not cop bashing, it is a factual story told to us as a caution by our Advanced Tactical Shooting Instructor, who is a Sgt. at the Southfield PD. He told us of an officer, who while stopping a driver discovered that the gentleman was LEGALLY carrying three (3) pistols and considerable ammunition. He called into the PD to advise them that he was intent on arresting the man for violating Michigan's MCPL law. The Sgt. asked him what the problem was. When the officer told him that the man had multiple weapons, he said, "No, you're not going to arrest him; it's legal."
He had to argue for five (5) minutes with the LEO about it. Even when the LEO returned at the end of his shift, he was still insistent to the Sgt. that the man only had the legal ability to carry one (1) pistol. The Sgt. had given the officers all of the laws, the legal interpretations, etc., and even with full knowledge, he remained intent that the man should have been arrested.
What is my point? Obviously, the Southfield PD and its Sgt. did a good job of updating its personnel. Only one fool was out of line there, much like this case of the "malldork". While I do believe that Illinois' laws do need changing, I'm not convinced that changing their laws would solve this. One cannot legislate either intelligence or morality. Note the example given above.
Unfortunately, and I do mean unfortunate, the actions of one, single person can cast an ugly shadow over an entire institution. We really must use extreme caution to cast our evil look upon only those involved, and attempt to not stereotype over all like-professionals. I too think that there must be one person at the top of such malls who is calling the shots, in this case, and as in the case of these situations as I have witnessed at the GLCM.
Now, I say that I do not mean to bash the LEO described above, and I assured to clarify why changing Ill law would not solve this problem. So, what is my intent including those comments? Simple, to open the door to the Sgt. advise to us during our Advanced Tactical Shooting Class:
"If you ever encounter this or a similar situation, comply. Do not make a scene or open the door to resisting, etc. Just comply, then sue the s&@# out of the LEO, the department and all involved for false arrest and false imprisonment. Then, laugh all the way to retirement."
Doc2005
