Ohio Patriot
Regular Member
imported post
Rules for Open Carrying
I'm trying to come up with a list of "rules" and recommendationsfor open carrying. Here's a start. Please feel free to comment.
General Rules and Etiquette
Rules during an LEO Encounter, Detainment, or Arrest
Rules for Open Carrying
I'm trying to come up with a list of "rules" and recommendationsfor open carrying. Here's a start. Please feel free to comment.
General Rules and Etiquette
- Make sure you're not breaking any laws.
- Carry a digital voice recorder on you.
- Make sure you have money in the bank to cover legal fees in the event you are arrested. Hopefully this will not be an issue in the future. But for now, it is probably not a good idea to open carry if you have no money to purchase legal services.
- Politely answer questions to anyone who inquires about your weapon. This will give you an opportunity to educate people.
- Unless your life is threatened, do not remove your weapon from the holster.
- Generally speaking, if a business owner or manager asks you to leave, do so.
- Do not enter a situation where there is a strong likelihood you'll be illegally arrested. As an example, if a city has a reputation of employing rogue or corrupt LEOs on its police force, it would be unwise to open carry without first contacting the police chief and city law director.
Rules during an LEO Encounter, Detainment, or Arrest
- Be professional and polite during any LEO encounter.
- Obey all lawful orders.
- If an LEO is making mistakes or doing something illegal, resist the urge to fight. Let them make the errors. The evidence will be recorded on your voice recorder and can be used for your defense in the future.
- Ask, "Am I free to go?" every minute or two. If you are free to go, do so. If you are not free to go, it means you are being detained, and (generally speaking) the less you say the better.
- There is the possibility the LEO is simply ignorant of the law. If you suspect this is the case, use the detainment as an opportunity to educate him/her.
- Resist every urge to become argumentative or "hot headed."
- Never lie. If you don't want to answer a question, simply remain silent.
- If an LEO asks you to disarm, do not remove your gun from your holster. Instead, tell him/her to remove the gun from your holster.
- If an LEO refuses to return your firearm, demand a receipt.