Editor’s Note: We’ve seen this movie before. These cops did a great job. They were reasonable and professional and knowledgeable. After you read the short news item, I encourage you to check out my commentary on this encounter in particular, on this issue in general, and on the Top 10 things to keep in mind about encounters with open carry advocates.
— Doug Wyllie, PoliceOne Editor in Chief
By Police1 Staff
Video taken from a student’s mobile phone shows a conversation develop after he was stopped by an officer who had received calls of concern from the public.
The footage starts with the student stating that he does not consent to any searches or seizures.
The officer calmly responds, “I’m not going to search you,” and asks permission to take the gun so that they can have a conversation.
The dialog escalates as the student refuses to give the officer any identification and demands to speak to a supervisor, as he cites several legal cases as reasons that he cannot be stopped for carrying a gun unless suspected of committing a crime.
The squad in the background of the video indicates that the police are from Portland, Maine, though that has not been confirmed.
The student is eventually given his gun and allowed to leave.