japartridge
Master
I just had my first MWAG contact, in fact my first contact with LEO in Monroe County concerning my 2nd Amendment rights.
I am off work today, and went to one of our two local Big-Box Home Improvement stores, wandered around for about 30 minutes picked up a few things and paid... during this whole time I was pseudo-concealed, no problems with anyone, or anything. I also know for a fact that this store does not care if you carry, as long as you are legal.
From there I went to the Speedway convenience store on West 3rd and South Curry (store #6009). While in the store I was mostly open carrying... meaning my shirt had ridden up and bunched on the grip while I was driving... instead of messing with trying to re-conceal, I just tucked my shirt under the grip, carrying OC. edit: I also know that Speedway stores are neutral, at least in my area, concerning carrying.
I was standing in line to pay for my purchase when I notice a Monroe County Sheriff vehicle pull in the lot. Thinking nothing of it, as I'd shopped hundreds of times before in that and a few other of the Speedway stores close to me I continued to stand in line. When the Officer (who I later found out is R. Lutz) entered I smiled, nodded my head and said hello. I noticed him glancing in my direction as I waited in line.
Upon exiting the store, I paused at the trash can and deposited my receipt, and stepped out of the way of a woman going to her van. At that point I was turning to head to my car when out of the corner of my eye I see the officer exit the store and turn toward me, away from his cruiser. this is when I knew I was going to have contact. Officer Lutz then said "Excuse me sir", I turned and said "Yes sir?" He then asked "Why are you carrying that gun?" I stated that it was my constitutional right, and that I was licensed. He then proceeds to inform me that I was to carry concealed. At this point I stated that I am sorry but that is incorrect, the state of Indiana is silent on method of carry. He then told me I was supposed to carry concealed. I then again politely stated that it is not a requirement of my License to Carry a Handgun; I then removed my license and stated that no where on the license does it state concealed.
He then stared at me without saying a word for about 30 seconds, I returned his stare... he then asked "So you like carrying out in the open and terrifying people?" I stated no, I was simply making a purchase in the store, and minding my own business, no one seemed upset, worried, or even seemed to notice my handgun. He then continued on to ask if I knew how many calls he gets to Walmart from terrified people because there is a man with a gun? I stated no sir I did not, and that I was sorry that so many people are terrified by a citizen legally exercising their rights.
He then proceeds to tell me that they, (LEOs) are not allowed to openly carry their firearms while off-duty (Can't remember if he said allowed or legally allowed, either way I know that there is no law to this effect) He became agitated at that point and told me "Don't tell me what is true or not, I'm telling you!" I then apologized that he was unable to openly carry while off-duty, but that the State is silent on method of carry of licensed individuals. He then (sort of, more of a demand, but...) asked to see my permit, and drivers license. Now I know that I do not have to furnish any of this information, but as this exchange had already taken over 10 minutes and I have things to get done today, and I knew that this post, and my call to the Monroe County Sheriffs office would take well over an hour to deal with, I corrected him by saying I do not have a permit, I have a license, and proceeded to hand them to him.
He then runs my license and DL; this takes another 5 minutes. During this time is when I have my V8 moment and begin recording the rest of the interaction. Once the results were returned, the turns to me and hands my license and ID back to him. This is when I finally got to see his name tag. He states [STRIKE]that this isn't over, and[/STRIKE]
EDIT: Upon reviewing my recording either A) He did not state"this isn't over, or B) I inferred that was what he meant. either way, I apologize to everyone here for the mis-quote; I also apologize to Officer Lutz, as I did not intend to mis-quote him. Also upon further reflection it is likely that I have jumbled the chain of events; rest assured it all happened, other than my above mentioned mis quote.
he'll be in contact. I ask him for his Badge number and he just turns and begins to walk away, I then loudly ask for his badge number, politely of course, and he continues to walk away and re-enters the store.
I have already contacted the Sheriffs department and been told that there is a form that I can come in and fill out to file an official complaint. Which, rest assured, I will be doing as soon as I get my bathroom walls primed!
I have nothing but respect for our LEOs as a whole, but this encounter has left a very, very bad taste in my mouth! Normally I do about 50-50 OC/CC, after this, I am just annoyed enough to begin to OC 95% of the time!
I am off work today, and went to one of our two local Big-Box Home Improvement stores, wandered around for about 30 minutes picked up a few things and paid... during this whole time I was pseudo-concealed, no problems with anyone, or anything. I also know for a fact that this store does not care if you carry, as long as you are legal.
From there I went to the Speedway convenience store on West 3rd and South Curry (store #6009). While in the store I was mostly open carrying... meaning my shirt had ridden up and bunched on the grip while I was driving... instead of messing with trying to re-conceal, I just tucked my shirt under the grip, carrying OC. edit: I also know that Speedway stores are neutral, at least in my area, concerning carrying.
I was standing in line to pay for my purchase when I notice a Monroe County Sheriff vehicle pull in the lot. Thinking nothing of it, as I'd shopped hundreds of times before in that and a few other of the Speedway stores close to me I continued to stand in line. When the Officer (who I later found out is R. Lutz) entered I smiled, nodded my head and said hello. I noticed him glancing in my direction as I waited in line.
Upon exiting the store, I paused at the trash can and deposited my receipt, and stepped out of the way of a woman going to her van. At that point I was turning to head to my car when out of the corner of my eye I see the officer exit the store and turn toward me, away from his cruiser. this is when I knew I was going to have contact. Officer Lutz then said "Excuse me sir", I turned and said "Yes sir?" He then asked "Why are you carrying that gun?" I stated that it was my constitutional right, and that I was licensed. He then proceeds to inform me that I was to carry concealed. At this point I stated that I am sorry but that is incorrect, the state of Indiana is silent on method of carry. He then told me I was supposed to carry concealed. I then again politely stated that it is not a requirement of my License to Carry a Handgun; I then removed my license and stated that no where on the license does it state concealed.
He then stared at me without saying a word for about 30 seconds, I returned his stare... he then asked "So you like carrying out in the open and terrifying people?" I stated no, I was simply making a purchase in the store, and minding my own business, no one seemed upset, worried, or even seemed to notice my handgun. He then continued on to ask if I knew how many calls he gets to Walmart from terrified people because there is a man with a gun? I stated no sir I did not, and that I was sorry that so many people are terrified by a citizen legally exercising their rights.
He then proceeds to tell me that they, (LEOs) are not allowed to openly carry their firearms while off-duty (Can't remember if he said allowed or legally allowed, either way I know that there is no law to this effect) He became agitated at that point and told me "Don't tell me what is true or not, I'm telling you!" I then apologized that he was unable to openly carry while off-duty, but that the State is silent on method of carry of licensed individuals. He then (sort of, more of a demand, but...) asked to see my permit, and drivers license. Now I know that I do not have to furnish any of this information, but as this exchange had already taken over 10 minutes and I have things to get done today, and I knew that this post, and my call to the Monroe County Sheriffs office would take well over an hour to deal with, I corrected him by saying I do not have a permit, I have a license, and proceeded to hand them to him.
He then runs my license and DL; this takes another 5 minutes. During this time is when I have my V8 moment and begin recording the rest of the interaction. Once the results were returned, the turns to me and hands my license and ID back to him. This is when I finally got to see his name tag. He states [STRIKE]that this isn't over, and[/STRIKE]
EDIT: Upon reviewing my recording either A) He did not state"this isn't over, or B) I inferred that was what he meant. either way, I apologize to everyone here for the mis-quote; I also apologize to Officer Lutz, as I did not intend to mis-quote him. Also upon further reflection it is likely that I have jumbled the chain of events; rest assured it all happened, other than my above mentioned mis quote.
he'll be in contact. I ask him for his Badge number and he just turns and begins to walk away, I then loudly ask for his badge number, politely of course, and he continues to walk away and re-enters the store.
I have already contacted the Sheriffs department and been told that there is a form that I can come in and fill out to file an official complaint. Which, rest assured, I will be doing as soon as I get my bathroom walls primed!
I have nothing but respect for our LEOs as a whole, but this encounter has left a very, very bad taste in my mouth! Normally I do about 50-50 OC/CC, after this, I am just annoyed enough to begin to OC 95% of the time!
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....okay, maybe not!!
