Odd experience

[Boston Boy]

Several decades ago, I was at a large intersection in downtown Boston when I noticed a "dude" with a small revolver strapped to his ankle. His appearance and age (plus my own experience) led me to believe he was carrying illegally. I went to a nearby policeman, about 10 paces away, and told him of my discovery. At this time I had over 20 years CCing, and it was second nature to see who was carrying. Instead of thanking me for the report, the officer demanded to know if I was armed and wanted to see my LTC. So, to shorten a long story, by the time he was through with me, the "dude" had left.

 

[the__outlaw]

I thought we all supported the 2nd right to carry? You are a narc for gun grabbers.

 

[Mark Chitty]

It's been my experience that you just never know how cops are going to react to any given situation. Many of them do act reasonably, but every now and then you run in to one that seems to defy reason all together. I like to think that most of them are in it to serve and protect, but it's pretty obvious sometimes that there are those that are just in it for the gun and the badge. Then again, there could have been some policy that requires cops to search anyone that mentions a firearm for their own protection, you just never know.

 

[bootsdeal]

I am an honest, law abiding citizen and I have never been in trouble in my life, and I'm committed that I never will be. That being said, I would never approach a LEO for anything, not even directions. I don't trust them and I would never give them a reason to talk to me. I think that most of them are a bunch of Wyatt Earp wannabe's that look down at us "citizens" as just a little lower form of life than they are.

 

[Boston Boy]

I am an honest, law abiding citizen and I have never been in trouble in my life, and I'm committed that I never will be. That being said, I would never approach a LEO for anything, not even directions. I don't trust them and I would never give them a reason to talk to me. I think that most of them are a bunch of Wyatt Earp wannabe's that look down at us "citizens" as just a little lower form of life than they are.

Since our judgement is often based on experience, would it be safe to say you may have had negative LEO interactions? I' ve had both good and bad times with cops during my 65 years. I've also had good and bad experiences with many other types of folks, but that should not make me paint everyone with a broad brush. A man whose values and wisdom I admie once told me: "As you go through life, you're gonna meet a lot of a**holes, and you're probably one of them." You, know what, he was right!

 

[Firefighterchen]

Several decades ago, I was at a large intersection in downtown Boston when I noticed a "dude" with a small revolver strapped to his ankle. His appearance and age (plus my own experience) led me to believe he was carrying illegally. I went to a nearby policeman, about 10 paces away, and told him of my discovery. At this time I had over 20 years CCing, and it was second nature to see who was carrying. Instead of thanking me for the report, the officer demanded to know if I was armed and wanted to see my LTC. So, to shorten a long story, by the time he was through with me, the "dude" had left.

He was openly carrying a firearm on his ankle? If it was concealed, was it stuffed into his sock or in a holster?

I'm tired of hearing gun owners being hassled by cops because someone else thought they were carrying illegally, I'm kind of glad you were hassled instead of the other guy, as your story indicates no illegal activity. Who knows, maybe he spotted you and told the police officer about you first.

 

[Mark Chitty]

Cops have a bad rap, and some of it is warranted. But people are more likely to complain about someone doing their job poorly than speaking publicly about how someone did what they were supposed to do. That means that you're always going to hear the negative, but only sometimes hear the positive. That's just a sad part of of the human experience. But if you found yourself in a hopeless situation these are the people most likely to help you. For that I believe each one of them deserves our respect until they prove otherwise.

 

[Mark Chitty]

He was openly carrying a firearm on his ankle? If it was concealed, was it stuffed into his sock or in a holster?

I'm tired of hearing gun owners being hassled by cops because someone else thought they were carrying illegally, I'm kind of glad you were hassled instead of the other guy, as your story indicates no illegal activity. Who knows, maybe he spotted you and told the police officer about you first.

That is a pretty good point. I've never been hassled, but now that I think about it if someone noticed I was carrying I'd be pretty annoyed if I was stopped by a cop. I'm also lucky enough to live in a state where it is well known that any given person you run in to on the street could be legally armed, so that limits the chance of any hassle if someone does happen to notice. But at the same time if I was in one of a couple of areas here and saw someone dressed a certain way, like a gang-banger for example, and happened to notice they were carrying, I don't think I'd assume it was legally. I don't know if that was the case in this instance, but I do think there are circumstances that could warrant his reaction.

 

[Boston Boy]

He was openly carrying a firearm on his ankle? If it was concealed, was it stuffed into his sock or in a holster?

I'm tired of hearing gun owners being hassled by cops because someone else thought they were carrying illegally, I'm kind of glad you were hassled instead of the other guy, as your story indicates no illegal activity. Who knows, maybe he spotted you and told the police officer about you first.

The kid was about 16, if that; so it was illegal for him to have a concealed or otherwise pistol! He was with a few other kids with bad reps: handbag snatching, mugging, etc. Unfortunately, police can no longer move people on. So this group was basically left alone to practice their nefarious deeds. I don't want firearms in the hands of the BGs. Is that too much to expect of a law abiding and responsible citizen?

 

[JohnD13]

It seems like it was easier for the officer to check you out than it was to track down the other potential law breaker. Given enough time the problem will go away. I have not had a lot of encounters with police officers, except for some of my friends, and mostly they have been positive, Again, excepting some of my friends! There are good decent people in the police, just like there are good and decent people in any other line of work. And then there are the ones that just don't care about how the job is done.

 

[NotTwoShure]

That is pretty neat. We need more folks going around checking on suspicious activity. If a person has nothing better to do than pretend to be a LEO/Vigilantly we could recruit them, give them an arm band with a nifty slogan and logo. Maybe we could revive the old C.B. radio fad and give these new “Friends of The People” (FOTP) great looking official I.D.’s they could flash to real police and inform them of the possibility of an armed citizen minding his own business. They could partner up and play NCIS, announce their arrival flash the I.D.’s and maybe aid in the harassment of 2nd Amendment believer. Show me your papers. I think I will have my grandkids tell on their parents if they make an anti-government comment. We would all be safer.

 

[PestControl02]

That is pretty neat. We need more folks going around checking on suspicious activity. If a person has nothing better to do than pretend to be a LEO/Vigilantly we could recruit them, give them an arm band with a nifty slogan and logo. Maybe we could revive the old C.B. radio fad and give these new “Friends of The People” (FOTP) great looking official I.D.’s they could flash to real police and inform them of the possibility of an armed citizen minding his own business. They could partner up and play NCIS, announce their arrival flash the I.D.’s and maybe aid in the harassment of 2nd Amendment believer. Show me your papers. I think I will have my grandkids tell on their parents if they make an anti-government comment. We would all be safer.

bravo!!
some may wonder how the good folks of Germany fell to hitlers disgusting rule... but not you.

 

[Boston Boy]

That is pretty neat. We need more folks going around checking on suspicious activity. If a person has nothing better to do than pretend to be a LEO/Vigilantly we could recruit them, give them an arm band with a nifty slogan and logo. Maybe we could revive the old C.B. radio fad and give these new “Friends of The People” (FOTP) great looking official I.D.’s they could flash to real police and inform them of the possibility of an armed citizen minding his own business. They could partner up and play NCIS, announce their arrival flash the I.D.’s and maybe aid in the harassment of 2nd Amendment believer. Show me your papers. I think I will have my grandkids tell on their parents if they make an anti-government comment. We would all be safer.

Are you kidding! This kid was 16, carrying concealed, and you say that it's not a citizen's duty to report it to authorities. I've been CCing for over 40 years, and that was the first and only time I "dropped a dime." In Boston, and other large towns, there is a horrendous rash of kids killing kids with guns. As a parent with teenage children (who have been taught firearm safety), I'm appalled at the loss to our society--now and in the future--by these "gun crazy" kids. And for that I'm likened to a Hitlerite. I don't even have enough hair to put a part in it!

 

[the__outlaw]

There is no age minimum for the 2nd amendment. You messed up.

 

[NotTwoShure]

Are you kidding! This kid was 16, carrying concealed, and you say that it's not a citizen's duty to report it to authorities. I've been CCing for over 40 years, and that was the first and only time I "dropped a dime." In Boston, and other large towns, there is a horrendous rash of kids killing kids with guns. As a parent with teenage children (who have been taught firearm safety), I'm appalled at the loss to our society--now and in the future--by these "gun crazy" kids. And for that I'm likened to a Hitlerite. I don't even have enough hair to put a part in it!

Nope, not kidding. In your state, city town or shire you may have a problem with kids killing kids. In a Nanny state such as you have back east it may be safe to have folks watching other folk’s kids. Not so here.
I wish I could give all my grandkids a handgun in addition to the shotguns I pass out. I fear the adults drinking, doping and smoking whatever they may find combustible to freak out on more than the properly raised kids of this country who are raised correctly, to go armed for protection more than I would most others.
Kids are not a problem, they are not born to kill, they are born then neglected and taught how to hate other folks, different folks. With God, Allah or whoever you may or may not worship was taken out of the school so too was right v. wrong. We all just do our thing. Respect! Then they will not kill. Family.
My kids were shooting at an early age. My grandkids that are in their teens go to the range with me, the shed to reload and so on.
Did you ID this “Kid”, does he fit into the category of gang-banger with tattoos, piercings and super-glued hair sticking straight up? And if so is that illegal to look like the wrong type of kid?
Just as it is a slippery slope to censor a free people it is also a danger to prejudge a kid who open carries. If you are a forty year ccw carrier and as experienced in this life as you say you should remember history’s lessons.
But I do appreciate your coming here and discussing this with us. Not trying to be mean or nasty. I am sure I will receive a jeer or thumbs down but hey, here are my papers. Ha.

 

[Boston Boy]

Where did I say he was open carrying? For the last time: Sixteen, carrying concealed, pals were known criminals! Isn't this a situation for adults to be concerned about? Should I let my 14 year old daughter drink, do drugs, carry a 1911? Or should I teach her respect for morality, the Constitution and those beliefs that made our country the envy of the universe. When she's a capable adult, I'll buy her a 1911 (actually I'll give her her grandfather's WWII M1911).

 

[joereppucci]

Unfortunately , there are a few folks out there who think 2d Amemdment rights allow us to be non-thinking people. Sure I'll put my blinders on until my kid gets killed by one of these bozos !! And if from Mass, you are automatically dumped on, lots of righteous folks with narrow minds.6 There now someone can put in: another Ma##ho##.

 

[bootsdeal]

Since our judgement is often based on experience, would it be safe to say you may have had negative LEO interactions? I' ve had both good and bad times with cops during my 65 years. I've also had good and bad experiences with many other types of folks, but that should not make me paint everyone with a broad brush. A man whose values and wisdom I admie once told me: "As you go through life, you're gonna meet a lot of a**holes, and you're probably one of them." You, know what, he was right!

I've known several, some that I even hired to work part-time in my business. Their true personalities came out pretty quick, and the common thread was that they're better than any so-called citizens in their eyes. In fact, the word "citizen" in their mind is a derrogatory name for anyone other than leo's. And then, my son's father in law is a retired cop. I've seen first-hand his double personality as well as some of his fellow-officers. No thanks, I'll stay well clear of them, but still be an honest, upstanding person. I can think of no reason to ever need a cop, except maybe for an accident/theft report for my insurance company. Then, they're just a necessary evil.

 

[NotTwoShure]

Mr/Dr/Rev Boston Boy,

Sir,

Age does not make a person responsible. Some adults prove this every day in such places as Wal-Mart or on Airplanes being butts about the price of eggs or the service. Some adults should not be given a drivers license let alone a handgun. My kids were well aware of firearms safety by 14 years old and out in the field hunting dove and quail with their 870’s. If this 16 or so kid was not carrying concealed I guess you just happen to be closely watching him. Guess he had a Hoodie on. I hope you are teaching your kids how to recognize a man killing handgun just in case they visit a friend or family member who may have a handgun handy in the house they visit or vehicle so they can call a responsible adult or better yet a police officer to rescue them in your absence and the presents of the deadly weapon. Of course with your vast experience in this area and your vigilance this is not an issue around you and yours.

 

[Boston Boy]

It's obvious you did not read my posts, because if you did you'd realize that I was talking about a kid (not a capable adult) who had a revolver strapped to his ankle. It was over twnety years ago, I don't think many gangbanger types wore hoodies in those days. To expand, he was sitting with his friends against a wall and his pants leg rode up, and I happened to see the small revolver. Was I supposed to ignore it? Well, was I? I am neither a reverend or a doctor, in fact the highest grade I completed was the 8th. I've also stated that my kids have had firearms training. I go to the range at least twice a week (retired, I can afford the time, but not the bullets) and they often accompany me. Enough of the snarky ad hominem attacks. I've been a conservative since I volunteered for Vietnam in 1968--because I knew even then that the conformity of socialism was evil, just as uniformed remarks and opinions can be.