I am all for 2nd amendment rights, but I really don't see the big deal. If an officer ask's me for my I.D., and I'm open carrying, why is it so hard to show him your drivers license. Just like my CHL. If I ever get pulled over, which I never do, the 1st thing I would tell the officer is that I have a CHL and a firearm with me, including it's location, whether or not it's hot, or in some cases let him know it's open with nothing in the magazine and the magazine is not installed and nothing chambered. If you aren't doing anything wrong you shouldn't have a concern. I don't like the gestapo tactics, but arguing with 2 cops with a loaded firearm on your hip and no ID is just flat out stupid and a losing proposition. Why wouldn't you have your ID with you? I carry my ID whenever I leave the house. What if this guy was a felon and just made up a name, are they supposed to take his word for it? I guess the real question is are your rights being trampled on if you are carrying a cannon on your hip, and you are simply asked if they can see your ID?
Doc, we all see your opinion to it being perfectly fine for an officer to detain you and demand you produce a license because he merely sees you openly carrying. I have to ask though, are you of the same opinion that an officer has the authority to detain and demand the license of anyone he merely sees driving?
Why is the licensed activity of driving different than the licensed activity of carrying a weapon? (Assuming that carrying openly is either legal or licensed in your state.)
Of course it's no big deal if the officer asks for your ID, but funny thing is, what do you think will be his reaction if you ask for his state issued ID that shows HIS home address? If he has nothing to hide, why should he object, right?
Now as to why wouldn't I have my ID on me. Why Should I? I'm not buying wine or beer, I'm not cashing a check (and my bank knows me enough not to even want to see identification) and I'm not purchasing any airline tickets.
What need have I for identification?
Having identification does not prove or disprove criminal conduct. The
ONLY reason Officer Friendly wants identification is to see if he can
make an arrest on a warrant if he hasn't probable cause to make an arrest for what he has detained someone for.
In my state, the only time I'm required to produce my driving license is ... when stopped for a traffic violation
The only time I'm required to produce identification papers is .... never.
The only time I'm required to produce my weapons license is .... never.
And I'm quite happy to keep it that way.
Allowing officers to detain and conduct criminal investigations on the basis of "How do we know you aren't a felon?" or "How do we know you aren't _________" completely destroys any protections afforded by the Fourth Amendment. If one allows officers to conduct a detention to see if someone is a felon based upon the mere sighting of a legal instrument (in this case a firearm) then where does it end?
Allowing detentions to see if someone is prohibited from driving because they have a DUI based merely upon the police seeing someone drive an automobile?
Allowing detentions to see if someone is consuming illegal, recreational drugs because they see merely see someone pop a TicTac or vitamin pill?
Allowing detentions to see if someone is a prostitute merely because they see someone is female and is necessarily equipped to be $2 crack 'ho'?
Allowing detentions to see if someone is a rapist merely because they see someone is male and necessarily equipped to be a rapist?