Why are you carrying that firearm?

[FTG-05]

I don't know where I read this but I figured this would be the post to put it in.
Something I learend number 1 is, don't give strait forward answers. More like answer a question with a question. Got around the answer. You see, smart people (ahem, trained individuals) will be very very carefull in how they ask the question. Such as: "Do you have a permit on you, and do you mind if I check you're weapon?" And when you say "No." Well what didyou say "No" to? No I don't have a permit, or No I don't mind you check me, as he is already reaching for your holstered weapon.

Something els, be very carefull about how you answer questions when it appears that someone ignorant of the law, including LEOs.

Another Example: And really only if it's an ignorant LEO.

LEO: "Why are you carrying that firearm?"
You: "Why not?"
LEO: "Do you have a permit on you, and would you mind if I check your firearm?"
You: "I'd rather you didn't, and what makes you think I don't have a permit?"
LEO: "Well that's why I have to check."

BAM! Nailed him, especially if you have a recorder goin.

Someone could help me identify how more to handing questions like that as I'm new to the OP thing.

I'm having a hard time understanding how you nailed him? Please explain.

 

[KYKevin]

I don't know where I read this but I figured this would be the post to put it in.
Something I learend number 1 is, don't give strait forward answers. More like answer a question with a question. Got around the answer. You see, smart people (ahem, trained individuals) will be very very carefull in how they ask the question. Such as: "Do you have a permit on you, and do you mind if I check you're weapon?" And when you say "No." Well what didyou say "No" to? No I don't have a permit, or No I don't mind you check me, as he is already reaching for your holstered weapon.

Something els, be very carefull about how you answer questions when it appears that someone ignorant of the law, including LEOs.

Another Example: And really only if it's an ignorant LEO.

LEO: "Why are you carrying that firearm?"
You: "Why not?"
LEO: "Do you have a permit on you, and would you mind if I check your firearm?"
You: "I'd rather you didn't, and what makes you think I don't have a permit?"
LEO: "Well that's why I have to check."

BAM! Nailed him, especially if you have a recorder goin.

Someone could help me identify how more to handing questions like that as I'm new to the OP thing.

If I am stopped by a LEO. My responses.

Me: "Am I being charged with a crime?"
Me: "Am I free to go?"

I am never looking to nail anyone. They have a job to do and I have a life to live. End the confrontation as quickly as possible and part ways friendly. If you are not commiting a crime they more than likely would rather be doing something else.

 

[SouthernBoy]

If I am stopped by a LEO. My responses.

Me: "Am I being charged with a crime?"
Me: "Am I free to go?"

I am never looking to nail anyone. They have a job to do and I have a life to live. End the confrontation as quickly as possible and part ways friendly. If you are not commiting a crime they more than likely would rather be doing something else.

This!

 

[sudden valley gunner]

If I am stopped by a LEO. My responses.

Me: "Am I being charged with a crime?"
Me: "Am I free to go?"

I am never looking to nail anyone. They have a job to do and I have a life to live. End the confrontation as quickly as possible and part ways friendly. If you are not commiting a crime they more than likely would rather be doing something else.

Unless they personally don't like you carrying and want to make their mission to coerce you into not carrying. And don't like the fact you don't carry ID and wanna make you pay for not "falling in line".

I have ran into way too many LEO who do have better things to do but simply don't like the fact that I stood my ground and didn't bend to their demands.

To be fair I have met many who are exactly as you described but they usually don't try to detain you to begin with.

 

[KYKevin]

Unless they personally don't like you carrying and want to make their mission to coerce you into not carrying. And don't like the fact you don't carry ID and wanna make you pay for not "falling in line".

I have ran into way too many LEO who do have better things to do but simply don't like the fact that I stood my ground and didn't bend to their demands.

To be fair I have met many who are exactly as you described but they usually don't try to detain you to begin with.

I would still stick to those same two lines. It will make my lawyers job much easier.

I have never had a prob just telling em my name if they ask and they have never had a prob with it here. If I lied and nothing came back after running it they might say something prob. But after giving them my name I would repeat those same two lines and repeat as neccesary. Making sure I remained calm the whole encounter. Because if they are wanting to arrest me for something I plan on giving them as little ammo as possible in court.

Here in Kentucky LEO's are very well aware that OC is legal and will not bother you. Therefore no reason to stop you in the first place and ask for i.d. Unless you are around commie louisville. Never had a prob there myself but I hear there is a very anti attitude there.

Guess I have just been lucky with encounters. Kepping my fingers crossed.

 

[since9]

Here in Kentucky LEO's are very well aware that OC is legal and will not bother you. Therefore no reason to stop you in the first place and ask for i.d. Unless you are around commie louisville.

Seems to be a trend for the larger cities in each state: LA, Seattle, Denver, New York, Philadelphia...

...Louisville...

 

[Big Dave DE]

Because ...

Why am I carrying this firearm?

For the same reason you are, officer.

 

[mpgnc64]

I walked into a truck stop early the other day to get a pack of smokes. A NC State Trooper was in there and looked at my hip then looked me in the eye and said "Good morning" I responded "Good morning Trooper" that was it. If I ever do get asked I will say it's a personal decision or personal choice.

 

[Outdoorsman1]

Why Are you carrying that firearm?

Because I am well aware that I am doing it legally based on Wisconsin Law and it is one of the few things the bankruptcy court let me keep.

Outddorsman1

 

[Don Barnett]

Why...?

Why?

"It keeps me away from trouble and trouble away from me."

Why?

"Because I can."

Why?

"It is the quickest and easiest way to be politically incorrect and it pisses off liberals."

 

[bmmd321]

Because I am blessed with a family that loves me, and it is my sworn duty to protect them from harm. I will not allow my children to be anyone's victim. My family trusts me to protect them, I will not betray that trust.

I love this. Honest and to the point. I'm going to use this all the time.

 

[papa bear]

i have never had a LEO ask me that. either they already know or they don't care.
most of the time it just a fellow citizen that asks. like i have said on other threads i do like to learn from other cultures, (being that this person has different point of view), usually, i will ask a question, basisicly, "why not". and/or why do you not carry. i have actually ran into pro gun people that were afraid to carry. i really do like to "give testimony" to non believers.
if the conversation goes on ( and depending on thier attitude) i will tell them i have had times, i was glad i was armed and time i wished i was. not needing and having is better than needing and not having

 

[Free]

5 reasons

I can do better then that. I'll give you 5 reasons. Wife, kids and I!

 

[Baked on Grease]

The the thread was made, I figure this was a s good a place to post this as any. So far I have only received a single question of "Are you a cop?" while out and about OC-ing, but I have had some friends and family members ask what prompted it. Almost invariably the conversation goes as follows-


"Let me put it this way, why do you wear a seat-belt? Just in case you get into a crash. You can't predict when it will happen, so you put it on before driving the car because you don't know when that crash will happen, and certainly won't have enough time to put it on before- if one happens, right? I carry my gun for the same reason, I can't predict when that bad guy will come at me, so I put on my protective gear before I go out just as you put on a safety belt in the car."

THEM- "But in this area? are you really likely to need it here?"

"You're right, I could go my whole life and never get into a situation where I would need to use it. Good. I hope that is true. But that criminal from CA. or NY, or IL etc. can just as easily as I move to a new state, to a "better" neighborhood where that sorta thing "never" happens. Can you guarantee that I won't need it? No, therefore I carry it, just in case.


With this argument, I just bought my wife a Taurus revolver at the NOVA gun show today, next we find her a good holster, and we have one more convert.

 

[USMC1986]

I've always liked this response...

Officer: "Why are you carrying that firearm?"

Me: "When seconds count, you're only minutes away."

 

[sraacke]

Zombies, of course.

 

[protias]

Zombies, of course.

[video=youtube;4a6YdNmK77k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a6YdNmK77k[/video]

 

[cobaltmarine]

Why?

"It keeps me away from trouble and trouble away from me."

Why?

"Because I can."

Why?

"It is the quickest and easiest way to be politically incorrect and it pisses off liberals."

I'll go with the third one.

 

[ET.]

"Why are you carrying that firearm?"

"Because dragging it behind me on a string just didn't seem right."

or

"Because you won't follow me around all day...or will you?"

or

"Because I'd rather be burdened by the weight of this gun, than have my family burdened by my death."

or

"Because either I can carry this gun or my friends can carry my casket. I'll take the gun, thank you."

or

"Am I free to go officer?"

 

[Sonora Rebel]

Here in Arizona... I've gotten this verbal stupidity from the noobs:

"Is that a gun...?"
"Is that supposed to be a gun..."
"Is that a real gun...?"

"You can't carry that in here..."
"Why are you carrying that (gun)...?"
"What are you going to do with that...?"
"What do you think you're doing/going to do with that...?"

"I don't want no trouble..."

Then there the mulitple allegories to Wyatt Earp or John Wayne (neither of who were outlaws) but they still make that connection. "Who do you think you are... Wyatt Earp?" being the most common from the urban types.

"Is that registered...?"
"Do you have a permit for that...?"
"You shouldn't be carrying that...!"
"Is that legal...?"
"What's the matter with you...?"
"Put that away... there are children here..."
"You've/He's got a GUN!!!!"

I'm not going to engage these types in chit-chat. i don't care to 'educate' them... 'not my job. I don't consider myself part of any movement nor is going armed a political statement. I think my best response to date... which would fit all of the above was: "This is Arizona, hoss... get used to it!" I didn't used to get these 'questions' here til the yankees 'n Californians started moving in.

"A wise man speaks because he has something to say. A fool, because he has to say something." ~ Plato