Friday, February 27, 2009

We're the Only Ones Who Can't Determine Legality Enough

In Pennsylvania, you need a permit to carry a concealed weapon subject to certain exceptions. The most applicable exception is probably this: if you have a concealed carry permit in your home state, you don't need to get another one in PA; but that's subject to reciprocity requirements and some determination by the Attorney General that the other state's laws are similar to PA's. So I guess the message is: look and see if your home state has a reciprocity agreement with PA, and if not, check to see if the Attorney General has issued an opinion regarding the concealed carry laws of your home state (and no, I don't know where you'd find either of these things out).

As a word of warning: have your permit and the reciprocity agreement or AG's opinion with you. We train all our police to err on the side of safety and arrest and confiscate if the issue of legality cannot be determined on the scene. The police officer is not going to do the legal research for you on this one.
I have no reference link to send you to for more information. It is from an "Only Ones" board and is in the "Members Only" section, and my source prefers to remains anonymous.

But nice attitude: If we don't know it's illegal, we'll arrest you and confiscate your property just to be on the safe side. And we do that by training.

Thing is, why would PA LEOs presume that's safe, once people realize they might be illegally taken hostage and robbed (or killed)?

And why would we assume these self-admitted Ignorant of the Law Enforcement Officers would recognize a "legal" out-of-state permit/reciprocity agreement anyway?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

San Diego PD *used* to do things the opposite way. If there was any question or doubt, they'd gather as much information as possible and seize any evidence (providing a receipt for property) so if their research indicates something illegal, they could have an arrest warrant issued. And if it wasn't illegal, they could come pick up their property at the Property Room using the receipt.

It didn't USE TO BE an "arrest first, then research" department. I've been told it's no longer the same department and things have rapidly gone downhill. That's too bad, it *used to be* a good department.

Anonymous said...

Shot first ask questions later.
Innocent of any crime? To bad, soveriegn immunity don't ya know.

YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS.

Anonymous said...

Actually, I'm glad he laid it out there as he did.

I've read plenty of articles that have cautioned arms-carriers not to trust police after a self-defense shooting, i.e., "The police are not your friends. Be careful what you say when you have defended yourself or your loved ones."

Perhaps this officer's comments will highlight the fact that the police are NOT your friends at any time during a police encounter. Their objectives and yours will likely not coincide, so be aware of the law and be knowledgeable of your rights.

Kent McManigal said...

Shoot, shovel, and shut up.

Anonymous said...

Now Kent, that works well for dogs and such, but most bad guys have relatives who will miss them... doable, but not so easy.

Two resources to discover state laws regarding concealed/open carry.

www.handgunlaw.us/
www.usacarry.com/

But, since the "laws" and their interpretation change so quickly, anyone traveling to another state who wishes to carry should consult the AG of that state directly, or at least look at the state website and statutes - a frustrating exercise in futility unless you know EXACTLY where to look.

The message of all this BS is that none of them actually want you to be armed at all, and will make it as difficult and dangerous as possible if you do.

One good reason I stay home. :)

Kent McManigal said...

I doubt the bad guys told their family and friends whose house they were going to be "visiting"... except in the case of Liberty Eradication Operatives, whose dispatchers undoubtedly know where they are and who they are harming most of the time.

Anonymous said...

There obviously a whole lot of officers in Pa. who are not, I repeat NOT, interested in going home at the end of their shifts.

An armed robber is an armed robber. A kidnapper is a kidnapper. And we all know what the appropriate response is to both.

Anonymous said...

It is time to cut off the BS.
"The right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed".
Simple enough. Any questions?

Anonymous said...

Paraphrasing:

"We have no idea whats legal and illegal. We just know what we can get away with and what we can't get away with.

So, we'll do our best to ruin your life because we can...and because, we're the good guys!

Now all you little mortals out there, show us the unquestioned respect which is our due...or we'll do our best to ruin your life too."

The mask is coming off the beast.

Gangsters are running the State of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is not alone in that. Most states are in the same condition. The people, however, can, at their leisure, assert their sovereignty. That is, if they have the will to do so.

Longbow