Cops Upset That People Exercise Their Rights

Local views clash on carrying guns in public - ContraCostaTimes.com It seems that open carry is legal in California. Well, as long as the gun is unloaded. The cops have their knickers in a twist.

Law enforcement officials vehemently disagree, arguing that open carriers pose a potential danger and nuisance to police and could frighten residents.

"They are creating an environment that is exceeding dangerous for them, the officers and innocent bystanders," said Redlands Police Chief Jim Bueermann.

And we can't have the sheep, er citizens, being scared. They might wake up to the fact that police aren't their to protect them, that police can't protect you from violent crime, and then they might not want the nanny state to have all that power.

The LEOs have also violated people's rights... because no matter what they think, they don't know the law as well as they think they do.

Police are permitted only to ensure the weapon is not loaded. They cannot run the gun's serial number, ask for the carrier's identification or detain them.

So of course at least 1 LEO has been recorded doing exactly that. (That makes LEOs mad as well... don't you dare record public servants doing their job!) No complaints filed, though people are pushing for it to happen. Hey, he broke the law; why should he get a free pass? Is ignorance of a law an excuse for a LEO, but not for everyone else?

So why is real open carry illegal in CA? Because the racists didn't like it when the blacks were armed.

Legislation passed on July 28, 1967 that Californians could not carry a loaded weapon in public, even openly. It was prompted after a group of Black Panthers led a protest march into the California Legislature fully armed in May 1967.

Racist roots of gun control strike again.

So, were Californians less safe in 1950, when real open carry was permitted than they were in the 1970s, 80s and 90s? Just asking. [via KABA]