Quote from Ricter:
I tend to agree.
If this had happened in Arizona, would the officer be required to check the man's citizenship status, or did that law fail?
Edit: on the other hand, lawful open carry is not much of a right if you're going to get hassled for doing it.
When I was an officer, I never said a word to people who carried openly. In my State, you can carry openly anywhere but schools, banks, govt. buildings AND any place where a sign on the entry door prohibits it.
The ONLY way to carry a firearm is concealed due to the element of surprise, and not having, for example, some drunk saying, "oh tough guy, huh?" i.e., carrying openly can invite the unwanted...
As far as citizenship, possibly, but more importantly to the safety of the public, and the officer is whether or not the guy was in NCIC (wanted) for possibly killing his Wife, and being some kind of loon.
The officer did a good job minus two VERY important areas:
1. Failing to run the gun through his dispatch center for NCIC check. i.e., is the gun stolen?
2. Failing to investigate further into "john Doe," who carrying a firearm, and drawing a 911 call is REQUIRED to give his name and date of birth or go forthwith to a magistrate, then jail until his identity can be established as the totality of the circumstances scream investigate further, and detain if necessary.
Last, the guy is lying to the officer about being a prior Marine. Why? ALL prior Marines greet each other like Brothers. This guy had problems, and the retired Marine, now police officer should have known the guy had problems that waranted more investigation. By letting him go without making the above two VERY important checks, the public could have been in danger, and that's not what police officers are supposed to be doing.
I'm a Libertarian who hates big government, bullying by rogue cities, loves guns, hates gun laws, etc., but am also a former police officer with the common sense to know that the guy with the gun needed to be checked out further, and ther officer failed to do his job.
