Arrested by the Philadelphia Police for Open Carry

[ViperGTS19801]

THE NEXT 8 POSTS CONTAIN THE IMPORTANT STUFF AS OF NOW.

THE VERDICT ON THE CRIMINAL CHARGES OF
RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT OF ANOTHER PERSON and
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
ARE IN...

NOT GUILTY!!!!

I wanted to think of something witty and humorous to use as a thread title, but I am still absolutely furious and a bit shaken up from what happened, so the straight truth will have to do.

I was visiting my mother today in Philadelphia to help her around the house and spend time with her. While there, I walked over to the local AutoZone to pick up a part for my car. I was OC due to the (finally) gorgeous weather.

I have learned to always keep my recorder on me and recording when I am in public in Philadelphia, due to the over-zealous nature of the police, and today, I am glad I followed that rule.

As I walked down the street towards the store, I caught a glimpse of a Philadelphia Police cruiser out of the corner of my eye, traveling in the same direction I was.

A few moments later, I hear a vehicle's transmission roughly slam into "P" very close by.

"Hey, Junior!" comes a voice from the other side of the squad car.
"Junior?!" I replied, as I turned around. I thought to myself, that's kind of a condescending way to greet someone, isn't it? As I turned, I prepared to ask the police officer what I could help him with.

It was then that I noticed the officer had his gun trained on my chest.

At least seven officers, 5 squad cars, and a threat of a taser later, I found out what it was like to sit in the back of a paddywagon.

I have a legally recorded audio file of the entire interaction, right here.

[camper]

Lawyer, lawyer. Lawyer lawyer lawyer.

Lawyer.

camper

[CenterTree]

HOLY CRAP my friend.

All the best to you. Glad you were prepared with the recorder.

The Philly PoPo really must love you.

[whoshisface]

we need a Philly oc walk! Let me know if you need a loan/donation for the lawsuit. (donation if you lose, loan if you win).

[30Glock]

@ Viper, Just curious have you talked GL ?

[Hondo]

Being in Law Enforcement myself; but due to my position; I can't disclose my Official Position. I need to first apologize for the ignorance of my fellow Law Enforcement Brothers/Sisters. Situations such as this; should not have happened in that manner. This was an over reaction in my view;( personal opinion only)! The public needs to know that not all in this position are ignorant to the firearms laws. The whole situation was handled improper. The vulgarity was uncalled for and should be addressed. How ever; I do also understand the state of mind of the Officers and the possible fear due to the severity of the entire situation. Not everyone is in accordance of the law on either side of this fence. And you do have to understand the magnitude of crime with guns in this Fine City; whether it is in the 8th, 15th, 24th, 18th, or 6th Districts. The City deals with an insurgence of gun violence on a day to day basis. As you can very well see; I have been a member since 2009. So I keep abreast of issues that arise on regular basis concerning firearms. Only because I am an NRA Instructor as well. Again; people need to understand both sides of this coin and snap to rash judgements! That is the only way we can educate others on this matter. So that it does not happen again we all need keep an open mind; and not snap. Otherwise we all become like those Officers that handled that situation irrationally! EDUCATION IS KEY

[Big Chuck]

How ever; I do also understand the state of mind of the Officers and the possible fear due to the severity of the entire situation. Not everyone is in accordance of the law on either side of this fence.

Could you please explain, in your own opinion, what law viper was not in accordance with?

[son of the revolution]

Being in Law Enforcement myself; but due to my position; I can't disclose my Official Position. I need to first apologize for the ignorance of my fellow Law Enforcement Brothers/Sisters. Situations such as this; should not have happened in that manner. This was an over reaction in my view;( personal opinion only)! The public needs to know that not all in this position are ignorant to the firearms laws. The whole situation was handled improper. The vulgarity was uncalled for and should be addressed. How ever; I do also understand the state of mind of the Officers and the possible fear due to the severity of the entire situation. Not everyone is in accordance of the law on either side of this fence. And you do have to understand the magnitude of crime with guns in this Fine City; whether it is in the 8th, 15th, 24th, 18th, or 6th Districts. The City deals with an insurgence of gun violence on a day to day basis. As you can very well see; I have been a member since 2009. So I keep abreast of issues that arise on regular basis concerning firearms. Only because I am an NRA Instructor as well. Again; people need to understand both sides of this coin and snap to rash judgements! That is the only way we can educate others on this matter. So that it does not happen again we all need keep an open mind; and not snap. Otherwise we all become like those Officers that handled that situation irrationally! EDUCATION IS KEY

All due respect, but exactly how much MORE " education " of the Philly PD would you suggest on this topic before they decide to behave like professionals and uphold the oath they swore instead of acting like the very thugs they're supposed to be policing ?

Philly PD, ( especially the upper echelons) are and have been WELL AWARE of the lawful right to OC inside the City, from numerous sources, including but not limited to the official MPOTEC training update from nearly two years ago, State Supreme Court decisions, former long term City DA Lynn Abraham publicly and strongly stating that her office would NOT prosecute people for violating ILLEGAL City ordinances regarding firearms use, ownership, carry or possession,etc, to other incidents of Open Carriers being harassed.

Coming from someone with a relative in Law Enforcement and interested in the career myself, I'm sorry, but if the job is considered " to dangerous" by some, to the point that they feel entitled to violate the rights of citizens at will, with no probable cause or RAS, and more often then not pass off their personal opinions as a matter of "law" then frankly they have no business being in the field to begin with. " Officer Safety " DOES NOT trump citizens RIGHTS !!

And as long as their brothers and sisters choose to maintain the storied blue wall of silence in light of such abuses, instead of doing the honorable and just thing and drumming them out of the field, then those good cops that actually take their oaths seriously and treat citizens with respect will find their reputations stained by the actions of the bullies with badges amongst them. I dont expect ANY LEO to know every law on the books, as thats an impossible standard to reach. But I damn well DEMAND they know verbatim ANY law they intend to enforce against me !

[Hondo]

I understand your point. But having a relative in Law Enforcement; and you actually being there yourself. You truly have no idea of the lack of knowledge some Officers and Supervisors have on this issue. I am just trying to let people in our forum understand that we need not be as narrow minded as some of MY FELLOW COUNTERPARTS. I agree with you totally on how much education do they need? Not many are like myself and take time over and above the Career. How ever; know that in me you have at least one that you can be assured is on this side as well. And believe this; there are many more than I. But our counterparts like to tag us as GUN NUTS. That is so far from the truth. We just firmly believe in our 2nd Amend. Rights as much as you. But WE DO SERVE AND PROTECT! And are on both sides of the fence; Law Enforcement and Civilian.

[StrangeKnight]

Being in Law Enforcement myself; but due to my position; I can't disclose my Official Position. I need to first apologize for the ignorance of my fellow Law Enforcement Brothers/Sisters. Situations such as this; should not have happened in that manner. This was an over reaction in my view;( personal opinion only)! The public needs to know that not all in this position are ignorant to the firearms laws. The whole situation was handled improper. The vulgarity was uncalled for and should be addressed. How ever; I do also understand the state of mind of the Officers and the possible fear due to the severity of the entire situation. Not everyone is in accordance of the law on either side of this fence. And you do have to understand the magnitude of crime with guns in this Fine City; whether it is in the 8th, 15th, 24th, 18th, or 6th Districts. The City deals with an insurgence of gun violence on a day to day basis. As you can very well see; I have been a member since 2009. So I keep abreast of issues that arise on regular basis concerning firearms. Only because I am an NRA Instructor as well. Again; people need to understand both sides of this coin and snap to rash judgements! That is the only way we can educate others on this matter. So that it does not happen again we all need keep an open mind; and not snap. Otherwise we all become like those Officers that handled that situation irrationally! EDUCATION IS KEY

I agree that education is the key. If I am not mistaken part of the reason Viper is going through this is because of how many times an OC'er has been stopped and harassed by the law enforcement community. In fact there are several post on here where an OC'er is just out doing his thing without making a fuss and then an officer who appears to be in a bad mood or is critical stops and harasses the individual. I honestly do not understand it, I would not worry about the guy who OCs and minds his manners. It is the perps who you do not see a gun on that I would be more worry about. And I wish the police would tell people who call to report "a guy with a gun on his hip" that is not illegal, even if they are going to check out the OCer.