01.04
After the illegal arrest by the LAPD of another open carrier in this neighborhood, a few supporters of open carry descended down on the same spot and open carried days after the arrest to prove that unloaded open carry is legal in California. I expected a few officers to respond, give these guys a lecture and not arrest. What actually happened was 20 or officers from LAPD blocked off the streets and deployed a helicopter to deal with the open carriers. After hanging back for a while a few officers entered the area of the coffee shop and started to trample the civil rights of a few California residence all in the name of “concerned citizens” calling the police department. FOIAs will be filed and more info will soon be coming but for now we can thank one of the gentlemen for recording part of the encounter.
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That scares the living crap out of me.
My stomach churned while watching this video.
I heard some smug comments, especially regarding calling the police before you all go out and have coffee. That is just ridiculous. Unless you are committing an actual crime, then the open carrying of a firearm does not constitute a crime and the detainment was illegal. By their own admission the probable cause was invalid as they had observed that no one was doing anything wrong. The descended upon you ‘en masse’ with no guns drawn, they had a helicopter over head that I am sure was able to see the entire situation, and unless the person(s) that called 911 said something to construe that a crime was committed or was being committed there is NO PROBABLE CAUSE. All they were allowed to do was check your firearm to see if it is unloaded. They went above and beyond that. That is not a matter of opinion, it is breaking the law and breaking the law is not how you do your job Seargent.
Look, I know police have a job to do and some (keyword is some) feel as though they need to make people feel safe or let the public know that they are doing something or even to discourage people from doing certain lawful things (such as carrying a gun) but there is a reason that there are rules, laws, and rights, to throw them out the door invalidates their job. Do what you swore to do and uphold the law and protect the constitution of the United States of America and of your State. Last I checked, that did not include violating people’s rights.
Another strike for the “California Scares Me Column.”
Terrell
North Carolina
Well put Terell!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am very interested in any follow up on this confrontation. were there any complaints filed? letters or emails sent in regards to this? did any of those seek legal councel?
Law-abiding california citizens appear to have 0 rights. Even if you know the law, and can state it coherently and accurately, leo’s have proven here they will still blantantly violate your rights.
That’s my video, and me talking throughout. As you can see and hear, LAPD has no regard for state and federal law.
All of us involved have been informed to hold back on complaints and litigation until other legal avenues have been approached. But we are ready for it.
Thanks for having your camera running that day. Keep it up. I hope less helicopters are called out the next time you UOC in California.
Got to love the Lazy Ass Prima Donas. On what planet does someone call the cops to let them know they are going out for coffee? Their detainment was nothing more than a stop and harass moment because the victims were on L A P D turf and, like Barney Fife, they intend to “nip it in the bud”. First you have “balls” Sergeant play ignorant word games then you have “no balls” sergeant expecting you to feel guilty because ALL of those cops had to take time from their busy days to deal with a citizen who wasn’t committing any crime. Unfortunately, this is the sad state of affairs in the golden but highly tarnished state of California. I am looking forward to June 2010 when SCOTUS reinstates the Second Amendment and protects the law abiding citizens from these kind of intrusions by government.
I was the brown skinned genlteman in the video. that was actually my first law enforcement encounter while UOCing. i basically stayed quiet during the whole ordeal. funny thing is that they didnt know how to clear the 1911s mr Medzyk and i were carrying. the officer who checked my handgun did not even remove it from the holster to check the chamber.
I was blown away, great video! One question partner, the sgt. did say (oc) and loaded,? Right just give him a call let him know not to forget the donuts for our coffee:)..
Looks like the video got taken down
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“Residents” is the plural of “resident.” A “residence” is the physical location in which one lives. Ignorance is NOT stupidity, but sometimes it appears to be!