mxrider
Former MSI Treasurer
While I know this is a controversial topic, I wanted to disburse some information that I was able to gather with a good discussion with my local police Captain and Lieutenant at AACo. Southern District.
I had emailed the southern district requesting information regarding the legalities of open carrying a rifle while handing out literature (I already knew the answer but wanted to get a feel of the PD). Two days later, I received an email from the Lieutenant requesting a meeting with himself and the Captain. I met with them about a week later and here is how things went.
The meeting started off with them asking questions as to why I wanted to do this. I informed them that the 2A community is fed up with the elected officials of our state that keep restricting us bit by bit, little by little. I informed them that I have been involved with the political process and spoke out against many of our laws but my words have fallen on deaf ears as we keep getting pushed to the side. I then told them that the next step (for me, and maybe others) would be to begin carrying my rifle around and hand out literature to people to educate them on what their elected officials are doing and that now is the time to do it as it is election time.
They then informed me that they had been in contact with the AG and confirmed that it is perfectly legal to do so (subject to location restrictions) but had some concerns. The first was that they would receive a flood of calls of a "Man with a gun" and it would cause wasted resources and could potentially have the drastic consequence of an officer drawing their firearm. I asked for advice from them about the most non threatening way to do this as I'm not one to try and start conflict, but I am ready to stand up for my rights. They asked that I notify them well in advance so they could get the word out to multiple agencies to reduce the number of officers being dispatched. They also asked me if I would be carrying loaded, and I told them that while I can legally do so, I would be unloaded. They brought out one aspect of something that I hadn't thought of which I don't want to reveal in an open forum, but will be more than happy to share it privately. It reinforced the idea that you would want to have yourself on video for the entire time.
I have not decided to do this, but I am very close. I am at the point of trying to come up with a one page educational handout and would love some help with that as I would want it to be factual and laid out nicely.
We parted on very good terms and they understand why I feel the way I do but asked me to proceed cautiously.
I had emailed the southern district requesting information regarding the legalities of open carrying a rifle while handing out literature (I already knew the answer but wanted to get a feel of the PD). Two days later, I received an email from the Lieutenant requesting a meeting with himself and the Captain. I met with them about a week later and here is how things went.
The meeting started off with them asking questions as to why I wanted to do this. I informed them that the 2A community is fed up with the elected officials of our state that keep restricting us bit by bit, little by little. I informed them that I have been involved with the political process and spoke out against many of our laws but my words have fallen on deaf ears as we keep getting pushed to the side. I then told them that the next step (for me, and maybe others) would be to begin carrying my rifle around and hand out literature to people to educate them on what their elected officials are doing and that now is the time to do it as it is election time.
They then informed me that they had been in contact with the AG and confirmed that it is perfectly legal to do so (subject to location restrictions) but had some concerns. The first was that they would receive a flood of calls of a "Man with a gun" and it would cause wasted resources and could potentially have the drastic consequence of an officer drawing their firearm. I asked for advice from them about the most non threatening way to do this as I'm not one to try and start conflict, but I am ready to stand up for my rights. They asked that I notify them well in advance so they could get the word out to multiple agencies to reduce the number of officers being dispatched. They also asked me if I would be carrying loaded, and I told them that while I can legally do so, I would be unloaded. They brought out one aspect of something that I hadn't thought of which I don't want to reveal in an open forum, but will be more than happy to share it privately. It reinforced the idea that you would want to have yourself on video for the entire time.
I have not decided to do this, but I am very close. I am at the point of trying to come up with a one page educational handout and would love some help with that as I would want it to be factual and laid out nicely.
We parted on very good terms and they understand why I feel the way I do but asked me to proceed cautiously.
