Open Carrier Arrested in Portland, Maine

[Palmguy]

Originally Posted by Bree

Seems to me that following the link brought you guys to the info that a complaint was called in on the guy by cell phone. The search was motivated by a citizen complaint. It was therefore, very likely to be completely legal since the officers were warned of an armed and possibly dangerous man based on the citizen's complaint. And fearing for their own as well as the citizen's safety they did a stop and frisk.

And again it doesn't look like he got hit with a gun charge but three knife charges. I guess the message is that if you carry openly, you better be squeaky clean in ALL ways.

If being armed (openly carried handgun) isn't illegal, then why does it matter that someone called 911 as opposed to Officer Joe Schmo seeing the guy walking down the street? If he hadn't done anything wrong then they should not have had justification to search him.

[Bree]

Let's agree to disagree. I do not accept your interpretation of Maine law including the "knowingly possesses" clause. I do not accept your interpretation where the officer has no right to stop and frisk pursuant to a citizen's complaint. So you believe what you wish and I will believe what I wish. We will wait to see if the guy is convicted, get a transcript with the actual facts, and then reopen the discussion.

[missmyJeep]

I will be taking my Maine CCW class within a month, possibly in a 5 hour one-on-one class instead of the 8 hour class with 20-25 people in it ~ costs more, but probably worth it.

I can't wait to ask the instructor some of these questions about Maine law. One of the instructors is a former Portland officer and is now with the Cumberland PD (2 towns away). He may even know the officers involved.

Portland is Maine's largest city and definitely has a mightier than thou attitude. It doesn't surprise me at all that they think they can make their own laws that contradict Maine State Laws.

When the Brunswick Naval Station shut down (25 miles North of Portland), there was talk of using the existing runways and massive amount of land to create a large State run airport to better compete with Logan (Boston) and Manchester, NH airports. Portland Jetport is land-locked and just can't expand anymore. City of Portland fought the state's plans and won.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Originally Posted by missmyJeep

I will be taking my Maine CCW class within a month, possibly in a 5 hour one-on-one class instead of the 8 hour class with 20-25 people in it ~ costs more, but probably worth it.

I can't wait to ask the instructor some of these questions about Maine law. One of the instructors is a former Portland officer and is now with the Cumberland PD (2 towns away). He may even know the officers involved.

Portland is Maine's largest city and definitely has a mightier than thou attitude. It doesn't surprise me at all that they think they can make their own laws that contradict Maine State Laws.

When the Brunswick Naval Station shut down (25 miles North of Portland), there was talk of using the existing runways and massive amount of land to create a large State run airport to better compete with Logan (Boston) and Manchester, NH airports. Portland Jetport is land-locked and just can't expand anymore. City of Portland fought the state's plans and won.

Becareful asking anyone but a lawyer or the state's AG about laws of any kind. Call any of three law enforcement agencies around here and you will get 3 different answers. You will find the police largely ignorant of firearms laws including federal, state, and local laws.

[missmyJeep]

Originally Posted by jeepinbanditrider

Becareful asking anyone but a lawyer or the state's AG about laws of any kind. Call any of three law enforcement agencies around here and you will get 3 different answers. You will find the police largely ignorant of firearms laws including federal, state, and local laws.

Good point. Probably still ask ~ just won't accept his word as gospel.