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To The Person Open Carrying an AR-15 Today In Portland...

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MainelyGlock

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Feb 19, 2012
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615
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Portland, ME
Just curious as to how the conversation with the police went? Sorry if this breaks forum rules since the man was cg gun. I'd like to focus on how politce handled it though, assuming the person will ever see this.
 

RLTW!

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2012
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13
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Hi Mainely Glock and Boyscout399,

I was the person who open carried the Daniel Defense M4 (AR-15 today). I've lurked this forum for a while and have seen your videos, boyscout399

Here is a copy&paste of the post I made on the Gun Owners of Maine Facebook group (written before it made the news)

Warning: Long post quasi-related to the Portland Press Herald article on AR-15 rarity.

This afternoon I OC'd (slung to my back) my DD M4 for the first time for about 6 miles around Portland.

I guess a whole bunch of people called the cops because 3 police vehicles rolled up on me (no lights/no siren) near the intersection of Deering street and State street. Cop 1 asked "Is that airsoft?" and I replied "No, sir." Then he walked up to me and asked if a round was chambered to which I replied yes; then he grabbed it and looked at the bolt carrier group for some reason. I told him that I didn't consent to any searches or seizures -- to his credit he didn't take the weapon off me -- or point it at me and clear it - unlike boyscott399's cop. After that he asked me for ID, and I respectfully declined (don't feel like having my full name in a police report) which he was okay with. I gave Cop 1 my first name since he was being pretty respectful. Cop 2 was a younger guy who was pretty cool -- we just shot the breeze about my rifle and firearms in general. Cop 3 was the SGT and made it clear that I was free to leave but also voiced his view that maybe I should think about carrying something else.. After that there was no police interaction, but I saw a cop car drive past me on Baxter Blvd so some more people probably called 911 for a completely legal activity.

I guess it could have been worse given that an insane madman shot up a school about a week ago. Cop 3 was the most terse cop, but I wouldn't call him hostile.

Other notes:

This was my first interaction with police OCing. It only lasted about 5 minutes, but hopefully next time I'll be more on the ball with the "Am I being detained?/What crime do you suspect me of committing?/Am I free to go?"

Cop 1 asked if I was part of the group of OCers that had been talked to before -- I assume he was talking about the fine folks at opencarry.org -- I know those guys aren't long gun open carriers and made sure he knew that I wasn't a member of that group.

Other than that I did have a couple interactions with people if anyone is interested. Thanks for taking the time to read this!
 
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MainelyGlock

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2012
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615
Location
Portland, ME
Hi Mainely Glock and Boyscout399,

I was the person who open carried the Daniel Defense M4 (AR-15 today). I've lurked this forum for a while and have seen your videos, boyscout399

Here is a copy&paste of the post I made on the Gun Owners of Maine Facebook group (written before it made the news)


Glad to see it went well, and welcome to the forum/community! As you can probably tell, most interactions with OCers and Portland Police are usually not so friendly. Boyscouts video, as well as the post I made when I was detained for open carrying on my property show this.

What did the citizens say?
 

MainelyGlock

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2012
Messages
615
Location
Portland, ME
Hi Mainely Glock and Boyscout399,

I was the person who open carried the Daniel Defense M4 (AR-15 today). I've lurked this forum for a while and have seen your videos, boyscout399

Here is a copy&paste of the post I made on the Gun Owners of Maine Facebook group (written before it made the news)

Also, the article in the Press Herald said that the interaction was recorded. Would you mind posting it? I'm curious. You were right in my neighborhood! Too bad I didn't see you.
 

RLTW!

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2012
Messages
13
Location
Portland
Yes I remember that thread of yours, Mainely; what a fine example of state preemption! Thank you for posting that, it was quite informative. :)

Only a few citizens talked to me:

One guy and his daughter: Asked me "if it was real?" and I said yes. I told him it is legal to open carry a firearm in Maine -- something he didn't seem to know beforehand. One weird thing about the guy was that he had a huge black eye.. I guess he got in a fight recently? How else do you get a huge shiner?

One older veteran: We shot the breeze about my M4 and M-16s from when he was in the Army; then we shook hands and left. That guy was super friendly and made me feel better; especially with this being my first time OCing any weapon that wasn't on a military base or overseas. Another older guy (probable Vet) waved at me and let me cross the street when he had the right of way

Some panhandler on Marginal Way and State St wanted to buy it (lol) I respectfully told him that with the recent surge in gun sales he would likely not be able to afford it even if I were willing to sell it (which I wasn't).

Other than that I generally tried to smile and be affable towards other pedestrians I crossed. When I was walking Back Cove one guy with a younger lady clearly called the cops on me; I could tell by the way he randomly did a half-circle and stopped. The lady he was with gave a half-hearted smile back.

I did tell the cops I was recording -- because I thought I was -- but for some reason (probably an error on my part!) it wasn't recorded.
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
(14) LONG GUN CARRY IS OFF-TOPIC: This web site is focused on the right to openly carry properly holstered handguns in daily American life. We do NOT promote the carry of long guns. Long guns are great! OCDO co-founders John & Mike and most of the members of this forum own at least one long gun - but due to urban area issues of muzzle control, lack of trigger guard coverage, and the fact that the long gun carry issue distracts from our main mission to promote the open carry of handguns in daily life, we will leave long gun carry activism in the capable hands of the future founders of web sites about long gun carry.

Gentlemen - you all should know the rules by now. Self-moderation is a desired standard here.

We are embroiled in a public relations battle for the hearts and minds of John Q. Public. The idea is not to prove that we can do something of this nature "because we can", especially not now after the recent events in CT.
 
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