Concord NH open carry incident 3/14/09

[SoulShepherd84]

I think that is wonderful to offer a cash prize for such a contest. Thank you.  This will promote higher order thinking and investigation into the constitution. Wonderful!

[clearlyme2u]

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

"SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED"

It is CLEAR to me.

[jasonsr3]

I wish they hadnt put the well regulated militia part with the right for the people to bear arms part as they did. Many people will say the first part means army or natnl guard and the second part applies to them not regular citizens. They could have saved us a lot of trouble and made this more clear although its clear to me "live free or die" keep up the good fight.

[theantagonizers]

Unfortunately the North East is not like most of the country and a large percentage of the population have never seen a civilian with a sidearm nor do they want to. Dont forget this is where antigun laws spawn, that and Calafornia. NH is kind of stuck in the middle as one of the few "freedom" oriented states in the NE. Despite consistently voting democrat, there are several libertarians in our legislative branches.

[Bound4NH]

"Hello, officer, I wanted to let you know I'm going to be doing something perfectly legal today!"

[ducabee]

It's legal to carry open(NO permit required), why should he call before hand or provide a picture, as a matter of fact why are they questioning someone who is NOT breaking the law or is NOT doing something or looking suspicious.

hhmmm, what do you call that ?

[AreThereNoMoreNames]

He's making it easier for the police, as people who call up to report him to the police will be told, "Yeah, that's so-and-so, and it's perfectly legal."

[candlstudios]

How about just telling the pople 'It's perfectly legal."

No need for names and having to call ahead and whatever.

[buttonsg1]

@AreThereNoMoreNames Why do they need to say "Yeah that's so and so"? If someone calls up, why cant they just say "That's perfectly legal"?

[jokertim777]

This problem should take care of itself after a few times of being questioned by the police. The responding officers will begin to recognize this person. If enough people in the area do this, it may actually change the behavior of the police towards not bothering to respond unless a crime is in progress. Besides, the police are likely to become too busy to worry about such calls when crime rates skyrocket later this year (or next). Sounds like the police were cordial in this case at least.

[LumpyRevolution]

I'll tell you what... they can call me if they are so concerned...  oh, I didn't give you my number? I'm sorry. Go away now. :)

[P3rf3ctStorm]

Perhaps the police would just prefer that people conceal their weapons - so that no one will "get upset" when the gun-owner is out and about. But it's "legal" to open-carry in NH right? So aren't people used to it by now?

Btw, do you need a permit to open-carry in NH? Do you need a permit to conceal in NH? If so, then perhaps the NH law ought to be changed to allow the owner the Right that he/she has anyway via the 2nd Amendment - to carry anyway they deem appropriate.

[JoelMatton]

I'm on the fence. On one hand, calling the police and letting them know what you'll be doing is a bit off to me. On the other hand, it seems like the police are just wanting him to do this for convenience. If someone calls and freaks out, the police pretty much have to drive out and investigate. But if they know what's going on then they don't have to waste their time.

[giggan1]

They can always ask the caller why they suspect wrongdoing.

[FlailingJunk]

Hey, iv got an idea. Instead of calling you how about you stop responding inappropriately to people simply exercising their rights?

[lilkristen02370]

Dir. call the police to let them know you're going to open carry. That is retarded!!!! "Hello officer, I just wanted to let you know I will open carry today".

I would never! sooner or later they will just have to deal with the fact people open carry. If somebody calls the police, the police should ask the caller, "are they committing a crime"?

Seriously somebody who is going to commit a crime isn't going to open carry.

[rayme4raw]

The US Supreme court in a recent ruling announced that a person is responsible for their own self defense, your police officer is not responsible for your self defense. You cannot sue your police officers if they fail to defend you. The right to own a gun is so that you can defend yourself and open carry is your right to defend yourself when you are off your property. Of course if you have a gun in plain sight, I doubt that you will ever have to use it. Which is the point, right?

[mullahaliackbar]

Jesus, what don't bureaucrats, politicians, and law enforcement....and the average moron, not understand about the 2nd amendment...it is in plain English....the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed!!! My God...fucking ridiculous.

[giggan1]

A phone call?

'Hi, I'll be excercising my rights today.'

'Okay! Thanks for letting us know, we'll try not to harass you!'

I'm a Concord resident, and occasional open carrier...and I definitely won't be informing CPD when I'm doing something that's completely legal...or illegal for that matter (evil grin)

[eurohim]

fna