"Just a Citizen"

[PRRFan]

I did a search on these three words in the PAFOA forum and this phrase comes up many, many times. I get a little upset when I see these three words used when a police or anti encounter is reported, or when a video is captured. Mostly in the concealed and open carry section.

Why would we say to the police, sheriffs, constables (polling places), or to security guards (court houses, malls, ballparks, banks, etc.), or to anyone, when asked the age-old question; "Are you a policeman??", - No, I am just a citizen.....

It almost sounds demeaning, like we are second class to all others..???

Because we carry a firearm and exercise our rights..???

Can anyone come up with something that is much more appropriate???

Thanks,

I am a citizen, but I am so much more than "just a citizen"....

[bac0nfat]

I did a search on these three words in the PAFOA forum and this phrase comes up many, many times. I get a little upset when I see these three words used when a police or anti encounter is reported, or when a video is captured. Mostly in the concealed and open carry section.

Why would we say to the police, sheriffs, constables (polling places), or to security guards (court houses, malls, ballparks, banks, etc.), or to anyone, when asked the age-old question; "Are you a policeman??", - No, I am just a citizen.....

It almost sounds demeaning, like we are second class to all others..???

Because we carry a firearm and exercise our rights..???

Can anyone come up with something that is much more appropriate???

Thanks,

I am a citizen, but I am so much more than "just a citizen"....

Good point, I never thought of it like that. How about "I am a citizen?"

[streaker69]

I've never been asked when out, but if someone did ask I would probably just say "No" and then go about my business. I don't see any real need to say anything else.

[LTCcarrier]

When I was a police officer they would call a non police officer a civilian. Funny thing is that municipal, state and federal police unless they are military police are also civilians.

[knight0334]

I did a search on these three words in the PAFOA forum and this phrase comes up many, many times. I get a little upset when I see these three words used when a police or anti encounter is reported, or when a video is captured. Mostly in the concealed and open carry section.

Why would we say to the police, sheriffs, constables (polling places), or to security guards (court houses, malls, ballparks, banks, etc.), or to anyone, when asked the age-old question; "Are you a policeman??", - No, I am just a citizen.....

It almost sounds demeaning, like we are second class to all others..???

Because we carry a firearm and exercise our rights..???

Can anyone come up with something that is much more appropriate???

Thanks,

I am a citizen, but I am so much more than "just a citizen"....

There is nothing greater than citizen. We are the sovereign of the nation. Police and politicians are servants to us.

Even PA's House Speaker McCall recognized that when stated during his retirement speech last week after the HB1926 vote that he is being elevated to the position of constituent.

[tes151]

There is nothing greater than citizen. We are the sovereign of the nation. Police and politicians are servants to us.

Even PA's House Speaker McCall recognized that when stated during his retirement speech last after the HB1926 vote week that he is being elevated to the position of constituent.

Ding Ding Ding! The winning post thus far. Rep will be sent as soon as the site will let me.

[JoshIronshaft]

Constituent, I like that, too bad it would just confuse most people.

[/dev/null]

Constituent, I like that, too bad it would just confuse most people.

Need we say more about the value of an education?

[PCAviator]

I have given that response before.

When I tell someone I am "just a citizen", it means that I am an American and I live in what is still the freest country in the world with a rich heritage of liberty, which most of my fellow citizens neither understand nor exercise.

It means I do not have to produce a certificate, license, badge, uniform, orders, instructions, directive, statute or job description to justify my actions. I do not need to show "evidence" that a harmless activity I am indulging in is allowed to me.

In short, as stated before, being "just a citizen" is ultimately the highest position in the land, with the highest responsibility as well, and I have never considered it demeaning in any way.

[PennsyPlinker]

There is nothing greater than citizen. We are the sovereign of the nation. Police and politicians are servants to us.

I agree. Our egalitarian ideals may be in tatters, and they may never have really existed to the point some of us think they should, but they are our ideals nonetheless.

I have used the phrase frequently in real life, and may have typed it here from time to time. I do not feel demeaned in its use, nor do I have pretension to anything other than being a citizen. I have no use for those who consider themselves elite. If someone else wants to consider me elite (and many do in my profession) that is their business. But as far as I am concerned, I am just a regular guy.