Awesome Encounter with PA State trooper (off duty)

[sgreen10]

First going to start this off with it happened in New York (where I live, bordering PA, so I can smell freedom just can't taste it yet).

Well today I was stopping off at one of the local establishments (I work 3rd shift) that my roommate just so happens to work at. As i was getting out of my car my roommate just so happened to be walking outside and we both said hello to each other. When doing so he noticed that my shirt was up and my carry gun was showing. (when driving I typically will tuck my shirt behind my gun to have one less thing to have to clear if I ever need to draw while in the car)

At the same time I noticed a couple that was standing in the parking lot as well, I quickly covered my gun with my shirt hoping that they did not notice. When doing so I hear both of them laughing, I look at them and say "Good thing New York is an Open carry state" and according to my county it is, but I'm not going to be trying it any time soon other than a shirt coming up here and there. The gentleman responds "oh I know, I work for the government, what are you carrying anyways?" I told him a Glock 19 while I wait for my CZ holster to get in. His wife then responds with "don't worry we're not scarred". We then go on to talk about different handguns for a little bit, I go inside and order what I was there to get and head back outside to have a cigarette.

The couple, a few other people there, and myself chatted a little more on the subject of guns he mentions that he is a PA state trooper, they eventually asked where a good place to get wings was and they headed off for the day.

After reading a lot of different "encounters" on this forum I always see people who seem to run into LEO's who don't even know their own state of PA's laws and I lucked out and found one who either knew New York laws (to some extent) or more likely didn't really care, either way really nice guy and wife.

So here's to you PA cheers

[Mitch10mm]

New York is an open carry state?
I thought they have some of the most fubar and imo unconstitutional laws on the books.

Anyway cool encounter. Stay safe and be careful

[sgreen10]

New York is an open carry state?
I thought they have some of the most fubar and imo unconstitutional laws on the books.

Anyway cool encounter. Stay safe and be careful

It's a sketchy "open carry" state at best, and generally speaking yes they are the most fubar and unconstitutional laws on the books, but then other random gun related laws are better than some pro-gun states... What was it, South Carolina finally legalized being able to carry at a restaurant that sold alcohol.

But again I don't test out the open carry, I don't want to the first one to try and take it up in a court, as well as it took a decent amount of time and money to even get my license here in NY, and I prefer appendix carry which would look stupid if I was to OC that way (nothing against OC'ing, usually if I jump that state line over into PA, which I do often, I will grab my OC edc setup and enjoy that freedom)

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[mosseater]

Wow. I mean...wow. Cool encounter, had no idea.

[Gunowner99]

It's a sketchy "open carry" state at best, and generally speaking yes they are the most fubar and unconstitutional laws on the books, but then other random gun related laws are better than some pro-gun states... What was it, South Carolina finally legalized being able to carry at a restaurant that sold alcohol.

But again I don't test out the open carry, I don't want to the first one to try and take it up in a court, as well as it took a decent amount of time and money to even get my license here in NY, and I prefer appendix carry which would look stupid if I was to OC that way (nothing against OC'ing, usually if I jump that state line over into PA, which I do often, I will grab my OC edc setup and enjoy that freedom)

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That's brutal!

[alpacaheat]

You better keep that letter with you AT ALL TIMES. Stay safe, be careful. There's a reason they "strongly recommend" you conceal around NY LEOs (and residents).

[Mitch10mm]

I was surprised because I was under the impression that they are issued a "concealed weapons permit" or license and as such by default open carry is unlawful.

Here in PA if it's not specifically against the law you are okay. In New York if it's not a law you can assume it's illegal.
We have these discussions about LTCF and it saying nothing about concealed, people saying CCW etc

It pisses me off that it's acceptable that a person needs approval, a license, to exercise a Right. These laws are over the line. The courts are wrong and tyrannical.

[OwnTheRide]

New York is an open carry state?

Just like in PA or any other state, if it's not explicitly prohibited, it's not illegal.

That said, sgreen10 and I are a very small minority of the NY firearms community who feels this way. Most go with what they're told and a select few have actually read the law and interpreted it differently than sgreen10 and I (explanation below). A very select group of sheriffs agrees with our assessment. A judge near me OCs on his daily walk. I've OC'd here and there in rural areas of the state.

Explanation: the law does not explicitly prohibit open carry. However, it prohibits all possession of handguns then provides license-based exceptions. The general exception that is used for licenses says "have and carry concealed." Sgreen10 and I feel that the explicit allowance for concealed carry does not mean that open carrying is prohibited (akin to "LTCF doesn't mean you have to conceal"). Most in the NY firearms community feel that prohibition on possession also implies a prohibition on open carry, that only the explicit exceptions ("have and carry concealed") are legal.

[OwnTheRide]

I was surprised because I was under the impression that they are issued a "concealed weapons permit" or license and as such by default open carry is unlawful.

Funny enough, a NY permit is an "LTCP" - License to Carry Pistol. And, akin to the PA LTCF, the word "conceal" does not appear anywhere on the permit.

[sgreen10]

You better keep that letter with you AT ALL TIMES. Stay safe, be careful. There's a reason they "strongly recommend" you conceal around NY LEOs (and residents).

Oh i do, one copy in my wallet, one in my car, and another at home. Even saw a buddy the other day (have not seen in almost 10 years) who was a NYS trooper, just about to move to SC, and before he moved I asked if he didnt know me and either saw me open carrying or recieved a call about it and I handed him that paper (it would probably be more like him finding it in my wallet after getting cuffed (my presumption) what his response would be, he looked it over and said well honestly i wouldnt be able to argue with it.. but with that bei BFF said he is pro 2A not all leos in the state are, the farther north you get with the exception of a few areas (Ithaca being the main spot) most leos would probably do a detention, run of the serial number woth a check to make sure it is on my license and then probably just tell me to cover it up as people dont know the laws. But Im not going to try it out and test my luck, i carry the paper just incase a situation like yesterday comes about and i dont realize my gun is visible and i have to deal with the police because of it.

I still really thought the PA trooper was awesome about the whole thing as it seems from being on this forum they are some of the big ones on harrassing OCers in PA and he was above and beyond cool, even if it isnt his jurisdiction... hopefully they made it to that wing joint and liked the wings