local police say open carry is illegal

[flagtag]

Originally Posted by Gryphon

Legally they should. But as I mentioned in a previous post, the T.H.P.D. doesn't want to encourage open carry because it makes a lot of folks nervous. So they let the myth of illegality linger to cut down on hysterical man seen with a gun calls, which are made by two kinds of people: attention seekers, and those afflicted with terminal ignorance, because unless the muzzle of the gun is pointed at them, normal people don't care what someone else is carrying.

Understood! Totally.

[Scutter01]

Originally Posted by Gryphon

Legally they should. But as I mentioned in a previous post, the T.H.P.D. doesn't want to encourage open carry because it makes a lot of folks nervous. So they let the myth of illegality linger to cut down on hysterical man seen with a gun calls, which are made by two kinds of people: attention seekers, and those afflicted with terminal ignorance, because unless the muzzle of the gun is pointed at them, normal people don't care what someone else is carrying.

But several people have said that Chief Plasse is a decent gentleman, a "great Chief", not "above" the rest of us, and so forth. How do you reconcile this behavior? Allowing his officers to harrass citizens (including actually making arrests for OC, lying about the legality of OC, etc.) is a LOT different than simply not encouraging open carry. In fact, it's actively discouraging it. It borders on abuse of power since he's effectively creating and enforcing his own laws.

I don't know the Chief, so please don't misunderstand what I'm asking. I'm just looking for more information.

[Bill of Rights]

Like Scutter, I don't know Chief Plasse, however, it sounds like what Scutter is asking (and correct me if I'm mistaken, please) is "Why not a memo simply telling officers to pass the word: Neither open nor concealed carry is a violation of any law, federal, state, or local, so long as someone holds a License to Carry, and if the person just "has" a gun, most likely in a holster, the times you'll need to worry about that person intending to break a law or victimize others are very few and very far between." That is, rather than perpetuate the myth, do a little education. That fixes the "scared sheep" problem handily, especially coming from the guy with the badge pinned on his chest.

Blessings,
B

[Scutter01]

Originally Posted by Bill of Rights

Like Scutter, I don't know Chief Plasse, however, it sounds like what Scutter is asking (and correct me if I'm mistaken, please) is "Why not a memo simply telling officers to pass the word: Neither open nor concealed carry is a violation of any law, federal, state, or local, so long as someone holds a License to Carry, and if the person just "has" a gun, most likely in a holster, the times you'll need to worry about that person intending to break a law or victimize others are very few and very far between." That is, rather than perpetuate the myth, do a little education. That fixes the "scared sheep" problem handily, especially coming from the guy with the badge pinned on his chest.

Blessings,
B

That was my thought as well. It seems like it would make more sense to train the 911 operators to ask "Is the M-W-G doing anything illegal? Is the gun holstered?" and telling the caller that merely being seen with a gun is not a crime. In other words, why are they wasting time sending officers out to investigate if there's no crime being committed?

[Gryphon]

Originally Posted by Scutter01

But several people have said that Chief Plasse is a decent gentleman, a "great Chief", not "above" the rest of us, and so forth. How do you reconcile this behavior? Allowing his officers to harrass citizens (including actually making arrests for OC, lying about the legality of OC, etc.) is a LOT different than simply not encouraging open carry. In fact, it's actively discouraging it. It borders on abuse of power since he's effectively creating and enforcing his own laws.

I don't know the Chief, so please don't misunderstand what I'm asking. I'm just looking for more information.

I'm afraid I can't provide a definitive answer to this aggravating problem. And I don't think Chief Plasse can simply make it go away. But I don't think he will tolerate any of his officers abusing their authority.

When the cats away the mice will play. Chief Plasse is the cat in this case. His officers are the mice. One arrogant young rookie armed with a badge and a bloated ego can create a world of problems for everyone without knowledgable supervision. Most experienced officers would calmly suggest to open carriers to keep their firearm concealed so nervous nincompoopers don't keep bothering them about seeing armed terrorists walking around. But they wouldn't be buttheads about it.

The myth that open carry is illegal in Terrible Haute would continue to rear its ugly head even if the notoriously anti-gun media informed everyone that open carry is in fact perfectly legal in Terre Haute rather they like it or not. Anti-gun liberals only hear what they want to. And they operate on muddled feelings, not logic. So the annoying, outraged phone calls to the police about seeing armed terrorists invading their neighborhoods would continue. And the police would have to respond to these calls, even if they know they're bogus.

I've learned from personal experience that most firearms enthusiasts possess a much higher level of real intelligence than most of those who are anti-gun. So it is up to us to take a deep breath, roll our eyes, and always remember to use good judgment should we encounter this illogical problem that isn't simply going to dissipate because it doesn't have a right to exist.

[rhino]

Is this guy a new chief (forgive me if that information was posted earlier)? I'm impressed by the letter. Maybe things will change for the better now.

[SilentWarrior1]

Any way we can get a forward of that? I don't go to Terre Haute often... but it would be nice to have, just in case.

[obijohn]

years ago, i had a vehicular altercation with a loaded coal truck. i was on my way to thursday night league shoot (indoor uspsa). since i was running late, i had rigged up before leaving home. the holster was a chapman highride if anyone wants to date this. the rig was comfortable and i didn't think a thing of it when i got out of the car. when the THPD showed up, i had a cocked and locked 45 and 4 mags on my belt. they looked me up and down funny, but not a word was said about the gear. needless to say, i was late for the shoot after all. i've never had any problem with the local gendarmes for carrying a gun whatever manner suited me. i do not, however open carry often as the surprise is almost as effective as the pistol itself. that and i really don't want to upset the sheeple. hehe.