I am also no expert, so I wont play lawyer - but I will say this:
- I am assuming that the fine was for the original traffic infraction? Your post almost makes it sound like you got fined for carrying. I am assuming that whatever he lit you up for is the actual fine.
- I am actually impressed by this oficer's attitude and professionalism:
He didn't flip out and gun point you! He absolutely has the right to ask you, for his own safety, if you are carrying. You have the right to answer in a variety of different ways. If and how you choose to answer is your choice. I can't say what I woulda done, I wasn't there, but I will say that
IMO you did nothing wrong, man.
- HC's worries about unreasonable search and seizure would be my worries as well
IF mr Badge had used your CCWing as a "probable cause" to search your vehicle. As it stands, he did not, so I, for one (again, flamers, IMHO) have no problem with it. You chose to answer his question and he proceeded from there. The seizure part is a difficult one - all the arm chair lawyers can argue seizure or not seizure until the cows come home. I for one think this was far more about officer safety - he knew he would be doing police stuff in a few minutes, and like any good cop he knows that sometimes men with guns make stupid choices and someone gets killed. He doesn't know who you are -
upstanding citizen with a fast car or
man who just killed his wife. If you had cried bullshit at his disarming you I think we all would be reading a very different post: one where he called for backup, you were gunpointed, and had your car searched.
- I think there is no link between your firearms and your ticky. Mr Leadfoot.
- Those of you who are about to flame me please feel free, but I expect your arguments to be logical and informed, not based upon your hatred of your own Mommy!
