Open Carrier Arrested in Portland, Maine

[Skeptic Monkey]

Arrested - Glock Talk

Discovered this on Glocktalk, don't know if it's been posted here yet.

Should be a very interesting story to follow. This also has the related news story within the thread and more interestingly they have discovered blogs by people in the park that day.

[Breadfan]

There was a simillar thread about this regarding the PAFOA member getting arrested for OCing.

Regardless if law allows it or not, there have been several cases of either being reported by citizens or simply getting arrested by cops who just didn't like the sight of an exposed firearm thus, going thru the public humiliation and being treated as a criminal.

The moment you put your gun on the hip and start walking the streets like that, you will immediatelly get a unneccessary attention and be placed in a spotlight.

The biggest problem with this whole issue is, even if your state law allows you to open carry, there is simply NO guarantee you won't be:

1) Reported by some anonymus
2) Arrested/tackled or questioned by police
3) Looked at or treated like a potential threat to the society

IMO, concealed carry is the best option, OC is just calling for trouble.

[profesor]

Also, you have to worry about city ordinances. In Lousiana you can open carry but many cities have ordinances that do not allow it... this makes things more complicated.

[justinbaker]

here is the bull**** news article about it

WGME 13 News Story Detail

Portland Armed Man
Matt Lunt, Producer
Last update: 1 day 7 hours 4 minutes ago Police are investigating a man who they say showed a weapon near Payson Park in Portland Wednesday night. Police were called to the front of Seaside Nursing Home on Baxter Boulevard just after 7:00 Wednesday night. A short time later police arrested 23 year old Norman Hamann of Lyman, after he was seen with a gun in a holster on his hip. Police say Hamann was also armed with knives, though they still won't say why he was in the area.
Witnesses say police tackled the suspect and arresting him.
No injuries were reported.
Hamann is now free on bail.

[yeahYeah]

I can legally open carry here, but its not worth the risk. Cops can take my heat away "as a matter of public safety" - so, while i am being jumped by cops, there are thugs behind me holding up stores and killing people. Gotta love it.

[Modificationvt]

it will be interesting to hear what happens

[eyesopened]

Originally Posted by profesor

Also, you have to worry about city ordinances. In Lousiana you can open carry but many cities have ordinances that do not allow it... this makes things more complicated.

Maine has complete preemption. Apparently the town/city he was in has the regulation against it, but the State Laws trump the town/city laws.

Also they it seems they didn't charge him with anything firearm related. They charged him with concealing 3 knives!!!!! 3 Knives they found after searching him illegally!!! 3 knives that aren't illegal to have concealed or otherwise.

As long as he's got a decent lawyer, he'll be able to beat the charges. Who knows if he'll file a civil suit, but I wouldn't be suprised if he won that too.

[The Tengu]

I haven't had that problem yet because Tennessee is not an open carry state.

I have had to arrest CCW license holders before... for doing stupid **** with their guns. Makes all of us CHL holders look bad.

[Skeptic Monkey]

Originally Posted by The Tengu

I have had to arrest CCW license holders before... for doing stupid **** with their guns. Makes all of us CHL holders look bad.

Agreed. I would hope I am in the majority when I say that I find myself being much more aware of my actions and personality when I am carrying, whether in my automobile or on my person.

While a concealed weapons permit occasionally makes people more brazen, I find myself much calmer and willing to disengage from stressful situations for the simple fact that I am aware that any escalation could have very serious and real consequences.

[yeahYeah]

Originally Posted by Skeptic Monkey

Agreed. I would hope I am in the majority when I say that I find myself being much more aware of my actions and personality when I am carrying, whether in my automobile or on my person.

While a concealed weapons permit occasionally makes people more brazen, I find myself much calmer and willing to disengage from stressful situations for the simple fact that I am aware that any escalation could have very serious and real consequences.

i agree 100%. carring does not give one the right to have an ego trip. carrying is a huge responsibility. my wife is getting her CCW too, but she is burdened with the weight and responsibility that comes with it.