Carrying weapons off duty

[Longhorn92]

I was wondering... do any states prohibit their LEO's from packin' heat off duty? California and the northeast have reputations (right or wrong) for very restrictive gun laws and I wanted to know if LEO's are affected by those laws...

[Tracy]

My brother's partner got goosed by the People's Republic of California about 12 years ago over concealed carry; and use thereof.

He lives in Simi Valley, CA and heard some noise outside his house. So he walks outside with a badge and his duty weapon. Lo and behold: carjackers working on stealing his car.

He identifies himself, they shoot, he shoots back at their get-away car and takes out two of their tires. He calls the Simi PD and gets a description out on the radio. One mile away, they're caught; trying to change tires. He drives up to the capture site and IDs them.

Case Closed? Nope, the Simi PD IAD (all two of them) investigate and decide to press charges against the cop (illegal possession, discharging a firearm, etc.).

My Brother and his partner work in South-Central LA, and THEIR IAD and DA decided to look into things. During their investigation, the only question they had was why, after two shots, there wasn't at least one dead suspect. The DA's and Police Union office told Simi PD to back off or else. They dropped the charges.

I was raised in Simi Valley, and that's one of reasons I don't want to go back to that G.D. place.

[Watsy]

I am a PO in a New England state but I have permits to carry concealed in all the surrounding States...I don't go anywhere with out a minimum of a J frame on my ankle or Glock 27...tucked some where...I just know how bad my state is... I don't want to get in a hassle with some PO who does not want to turn and look the other way while I am out on the town...in his state...

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Take calculated risks.
That is quite different from being rash.
George S. Patton

[MADMIK]

What about airlines? Are some stricter or flexible?

[grrlcop74]

Hell, in Alabama anybody with 20 bucks and a HALFWAY clean record can get a concealed carry permit. As far as the airlines go, most would prefer you ship your weapon in your checked baggage unless you are on duty (i.e., transporting). Having worked for an airport PD, I can tell you they get antsy, and I agree with them. We've even had to get ahold of some police officers who decided to walk through the metal detector with their gun on them (BIG NO-NO), flying out or just meeting someone. Some people are apparently functionally illiterate--the big "NO WEAPONS" sign does not say "EXCEPT POLICE" anywhere on it. They may not face criminal charges, but the FAA can do a number on your pocketbook.

Kristen

[Tracy]

Originally posted by MADMIK:

What about airlines? Are some stricter or flexible?


I can state emphatically, regardless of the rules, you don't want any firearms on board an aircraft. If one round punctures the pressurized area at 35-40,000 feet, you'll kill everyone on board. Period. No what-if's, buts, or any other scenario. There are still Sky Marshalls undercover on most airlines that are specially trained, have special procedures, and have special weapons. Lock and clear your weapon, and put it in checked luggage.

With air rage being the offense du jour, it's way too tempting to pull out the piece and use it.

This is one of the few times I agree with the liberals...

[Curtis Newkirk]

I don't go anywhere with out a minimum of a J frame on my ankle or Glock 27...tucked some where...
[/B]

Something tells you'd be fun in search training. You give a whole new meaning to weapons retention.

[grrlcop74]

Originally posted by Curtis Newkirk:
You give a whole new meaning to weapons retention.

Hopefully in this case it's completely unrelated to anal retention.

Kristen

[Curtis Newkirk]

I guess it would depend on the weapon, or the size of the.........

[Sharky]

Most airlines are pretty cool with it, at least from my experience. I fly with mine all the time and haven't had a problem. I guess the biggest reason I don't check it is that I know the chances of it getting lost are pretty good. My agency would rather you keep your weapon on you for that reason.

I also make damn sure to mind my manners and to be discreet. I always pre-board, introduce myself to the pilot and co-pilot and have a short dialogue with them. As long as you look and act professional they generally don't have a problem. They usually point out a stewardess and ask me to keep her in line.

As far as the safety issue goes, Tracy is absolutely right. That's why I don't have a round chambered when I'm flying. FEDs are also afforded the privledge of being able to fly armed whenever they wish. State and local guys aren't so lucky. FAA regs require a letter from their supervisor on letterhead stating that the officer is employed by that agency and justifying that officers need to fly armed.

The biggest thing to remember is that, no matter who you are or what agency you are with, it's still the captains plane. If he doesn't want you to fly on his plane while armed, you can either check the gun or look for a different flight. I've never had this happen to me. Like I said, professionalism and discreetness will go a long way with the crew.

As for carrying off duty, as long as I am carrying my issued weapon, I am authorized to carry it virtually anywhere. There are exceptions, I'm sure, but I haven't found a place yet that I'm not allowed to be armed if I so choose.

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F.I.D.O.

[RECON5]

I am not fed, but I have had the same experience as Sharky with flying. Our folks, who choose to fly have to obtain a letter head from the Captain, which is no big deal..
NOW.....then pre-board etc. Professionalism and Descretion being key factors to continuing this policy. I hate to fly so this has rarely been an issue for me. Although I did catch more flack flying without my gun from security.......they did not like my Applegate Combat Folder, but said "we will let it slide"........guess the other three I had on might have been pushing it ?????

Same with off duty...just like american express don't leave home without it, But Longhorn your familiar with our practices ...
HPD....Astros fan?

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REMEMBER 1*

[MADMIK]

Thanks for answering my question. A friend flew on El-Al out of Kennedy a few years ago and there were guys sitting on the front row with Uzi under their blanket. This after he went through a hour-long "interrogation" (who pack your bag to did anyone gave you something) and having his bag checked down to the toothpaste being pressed.

[Augie]

Sharky is right on the money. For about two years I used to fly regularly escorting INS prisoners("Detainees") and I have almost never had a problem going armed. Just be professional.


Madmik, When you deal with international Airlines it's an All together different ball game. Even Law Enforcement here in the U.S. has for the Most Part No legal Authority to carry a weapon into another country.

Airlines like El-AL, Royal Jordanian, and others have very good security and are very professional. They have Good reasons to be.

[Longhorn92]

I understand the idea of obtaining a concealed carry license to cover your tail...but I wanted to know---Watsy and Kristen, for example---if you guys are expressly forbidden from carrying a weapon off duty...let's say you have no CCL...can an LEO in your state legally carry a weapon off duty, anywhere in the state? In Texas we can carry our weapons virtually anywhere, anytime...(inside the state)...I think it would be silly for a state to say a licensed peace officer can't carry a weapon off duty but Billy Bob can get a CCL and pack heat by virtue of an eight hour class...

Texas guys and gals: last I checked a TCLEOSE card and po-lice ID could not get you out of the waiting period to purchase a handgun at a gunshow, but a CCL can...is that still true? If so, I wonder why someone hasn't bugged the legislature to change that...

Recon5: I'm an Astros fan, but not a diehard one...I enjoy watching them play and love Enron...they just seem to break everyone's heart near the end of the year...



[This message has been edited by Longhorn92 (edited 04-24-2001).]

[WS-G]

Originally posted by Longhorn92:
In Texas we can carry our weapons virtually anywhere, anytime...(inside the state)...

Unless the rules have changed very recently, this only applies to full-time peace officers; reserve LEO's still have to have a CCL just like everyone else in order to carry off-duty.

Texas guys and gals: last I checked a TCLEOSE card and police ID could not get you out of the waiting period to purchase a handgun at a gunshow, but a CCL can...is that still true?

Not sure about this one. Since the two dealers I've dealt with the most over the past couple of years are both able to do the "instant check", this hasn't been an issue.

[grrlcop74]

To the best of my knowledge, I have never seen where a full time LEO also has to have a CCL to carry off duty and out of jurisdiction within the state. That said, quite a few have one anyway. I had one before I became an officer, and kept it current after I was hired.

Kristen

[Watsy]

I can go any where in my state on my photo Id & BADGE...off duty...as a full time PO...but like Kristen said if you are Aux. or Part-time you still need the permit...And attitude is everything...If you try to misrepresent yourself as something you are not you WILL get jammed up...I promise you...I am just Irish and if Mr. Murphy can get in the mix he usually does when I am involved...I figure it is fun to have all the NE states so when I go Fly fishing I just bring my ss .357 round butt and off I go Happy with no worries just how the fish
are...

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Take calculated risks.
That is quite different from being rash.
George S. Patton

[General]

A full time LEO can carry throughout the state while off duty. Here the state offered to let us get a CCW for free. Most of us did it because UT has agreements with several other states on honoring the CCW. It was not necessary but it can make life a whole lot easier.

[wstsidedet]

A full time LEO in Ga can carry anywhere in the state. The code section in the book is very specific.
On that note, if i have pants on I've got either a Glock 23 of H&K USP compact .40 on. My wife used to always ask me why i carried until this guy i took in for a FV offense stepped up to us at Home Depot. Now i cant get out of the house without her asking if I am carrying.
Just like AMEX..... dont leave home without it.

[RogueExec]

Originally posted by wstsidedet:
if i have pants on I've got either a Glock 23 of H&K USP compact .40 on.

So, what weapon do you wear when you go out naked?



[This message has been edited by RogueExec (edited 06-02-2001).]

[USMCSNIPERONE]

A blow gun!

[wstsidedet2]

Uhh, ahh, hmmm. Rogue that is an intersting question. (asking mrs. wstsidedet)
"What was that honey....?"
"Ahh ok......"
Rogue, she told me i couldnt tell you. She did say it was bigger then a .22 but smaller then a 20mm.


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I will protect and serve with honor and courage.