Warminster: "Don't exercise your rights!"

[AxiTech]

Hello All, I was asked to cross post this here by someone over at www.opencarry.org. Today: I got off work a little early and decided to take a ride on the motorcycle to run some errands. Dressed casual, neat, clean, respectable. Ruger P345 in a leather holster on my right hip: open carry.I went to a few shops in Warminster and then proceeded to put 15 miles on the bike around Warminster and Horsham. A little background: I have lived here as a homeowner in the same house for over 16 years, twenty two year member of the local Baptist Church. Basically, I have tried to be "The Model Citizen". No arrests, a ticket here and there , maybe three in the past twenty years. Not bad considering I drive 50k a year for a living.
I rode. I came home, and parked the bike in the driveway, went inside and started doing paperwork and some computer work. A knock at the door. I look up and it's Warminster's finest. Looks to be a convention in the yard, police cars all over the street, dogs in back barkingcops running through yards.... MY GOD , they must have cornered Bin Laden!! I cautiously answer the door."Can I help you?."
" May we come in? "
No, I'll come out. I exit the house and pull the door shut behind me. Damn it, I left the recorder on the desk! Maybe the video system will catch it.
What can I help you officers with? There are about 6 or 7 that I can see. Neighbors say that was about half of what was actually there. I don't know.
Lead officer points at my hip, so I point at his. he says "you can't do that".
I ask "can't do what?"
"Carry in the open like that"
"Yes, I can"
"Well, yes, you can, but we don't like it". "Cover it up".
No
He is calling me by my name. I assume he either got it from one of the officer's that know me through my community activities, or because they got it off my bikes license when it was reported.
A female officer asks what my middle name is. I tell the lead officer," You know I don't have to tell you anything ,right?"
"Yes"
I turn to her and tell her," I'm not trying to be a smartass here, but I know my rights and won't stand for them being trampled".I give her the information, with a friendly smile. I ask her jokingly," you aren't going to make fun of me , are you?" I have a funny middle name/ took a lot of crap in school over it.
She asks for my date of birth. I tell her. In an attempt to keep things from getting hostile, I ask her if she is gonna throw me a surprise party. I did hear an audible snicker from the second or third row of cops.
Lead cop tells me I need to cover it up. Starts giving me all the reasons he thinks I shouldn't leave it out. "Our detectives don't carry open". "Why do you need to?"
Several reasons: I can, It's legal, I can't fit one of you into the holster, It's hot out and I am not going to wear a jacket in 95 degree heat.... I gave him several more.
Then it got fun:
He states," Well, how are you going to like it, every time we get a call, we pull you over, and I, and he, and that one point our M-16's at your head". "That isn't going to be very funny is it?"
"Are you going to threaten me..,Can I go inside and get my recorder? I'd really like for you to say that on tape. Are you seriously going to stand here and threaten me with deadly force just because I exercise my 2nd Amendment rights?"
"We sure are, until we determine that you are not a threat".
This took place on my front porch, today, with my American flag proudly popping and waving in the light breeze, just behind these officers.
The lead officer at one point called me "an activist". I suppose my chest should have heaved with pride at the compliment. To think, me , a lowly Air Force Veteran, lumped in with the likes of Jefferson, Washington, Adams, Hancock.......... Wow! I am proud!

We talked a few more minutes and they realized that I wasn't going to see it their way, so I was told to have a nice day.
I guess I will be getting the "Microscopic Anal Inspection" treatment every time I leave the driveway now.
Anybody know a good Civil Rights Attorney?
Sitting here just now, i think I should have mentioned that I like to go to church on sunday and worship Jesus Christ and his Father. Do you suppose it is ok with them, or should I go over and ask? What about reading my paper tomorrow, or voting in November? Do you suppose they will approve of that?

[General Geoff]

They'll learn to accept it, eventually. Though it might require a lawsuit or two, especially if they openly threatened to harrass you for doing nothing wrong.

[Big Dog]

WOW .............. I can't wait for the replies!

You going to contact the chief? The harassment will get ugly if they don't get set straight soon. I can't believe this still goes on .........

BTW ......... You did good!

[gnbrotz]

Which agency/agencies specifically responded?

[AxiTech]

Warminster Township Police Dept. only. No others involved. Neighbor tells me the Deputy Chief was sitting, in his unmarked car, in front of my next door neighbors house. I believe that, in itself, constitutes approval of their misconduct. Kind of scary to be me right now. I am holding off contacting anyone right now, until I can talk to an attorney. This being the weekend, I'll probably need to get hold of one on Monday. Anybody know a good one?

[lprgcFrank]

Axitech - thanks for posting this over here and Welcome to PAFOA!

You should post your other story here too.

[gnbrotz]

Originally Posted by AxiTech

I am holding off contacting anyone right now, until I can talk to an attorney. This being the weekend, I'll probably need to get hold of one on Monday. Anybody know a good one?

http://www.worthlawoffices.com/

[PisnNapalm]

Hmm... next OC dinner in Warminster?

[AxiTech]

I'm not sure I should do that. While it shows a good side of the issue, I don't want to get a good cop in trouble with his dept. I'm pretty sure my name is mud over at the Station right now, and I don't think I want to drag a good cop into it.
None of what I have posted on either site should be read as me saying that Warminster's Police officers are anything less than polite, professional, and earnest hard working LEO's ! However, a couple are seemingly misinformed as to the law and what they can and cannot do in regards to a citizen's civil rights. I really don't look forward to involving an attorney, if it can be avoided at all, it will be. However, Warminster PD needs some education, one way or another. They can either be reasonable, or we can do it the hard way!

[PisnNapalm]

That's up to you in the end, but you were threatened with having an M16 pointed at you if you did it again. Right? They threatened to use deadly force if you did a legal activity.

Something is not right here...