Hello all.
I got involved with a local officer the other day and received a traffic citation for an infraction---- not arguing the cite and it doesn't matter what it specifically was.
My issue is:
I was Open Carrying while on my bright yellow Goldwing Trike. The LEO most likely did not see the sidearm due to the design of the trike. At the time he asked for my DL I informed him that I had a sidearm on my hip. Initially, he asked "for his safety to remove and make my weapon safe". I declined stating that I felt we were both safer if it were to stay holstered. This was all said with my hands gripping the handlebars and the bike ignition turned off.
We compromised by my standing up and he removed my wallet with ID from my hip pocket strongside. As he is doing this he asked if I have a permit for my firearm. I respond by stating, I didn't know one was required while in or on a vehicle. He then proceeds to admonish me about the hazards of OC --- being the first to get shot, not having body armor as LEOs do. ect. I say, "Isn't Utah great in that a permit ONLY allows concealment but does NOT require it." He ends by "I guess we will have to agree to disagree". He did not ask for any vehicle registration or insurance info and then retreats to his patrol vehicle.
He apparently calls for "back up" as a couple of minutes later I now have an another officer standing just behind my shoulder and about 10 feet away strongside. He makes small talk about the trike.
After a delay of a few minutes, the officer hands me back my DL which I replace in my wallet and then place the wallet on the front shelf against the speedometer display and above the key switch. I think for just a minute that I am only getting a warning.
I was wrong. I got the citation and secured it in the pocket where I keep the registration. Then I retrieve my wallet and reach right past my firearm to return it to my strongside hip pocket. After starting the bike I proceed to my destination.
I am wanting to write a letter to the city PD expressing frustration-- not about getting the citation but rather the officer's attempt during an official stop (not a concensual interaction) to tell me I must carry my lawfully carried firearm in a way other that I desire-- in some ways it would be just like me telling him how he must wear his socks or underwear, except---- I have a Constitutional Right "to keep and bear arms that shall not be infringed!"
I got involved with a local officer the other day and received a traffic citation for an infraction---- not arguing the cite and it doesn't matter what it specifically was.
My issue is:
I was Open Carrying while on my bright yellow Goldwing Trike. The LEO most likely did not see the sidearm due to the design of the trike. At the time he asked for my DL I informed him that I had a sidearm on my hip. Initially, he asked "for his safety to remove and make my weapon safe". I declined stating that I felt we were both safer if it were to stay holstered. This was all said with my hands gripping the handlebars and the bike ignition turned off.
We compromised by my standing up and he removed my wallet with ID from my hip pocket strongside. As he is doing this he asked if I have a permit for my firearm. I respond by stating, I didn't know one was required while in or on a vehicle. He then proceeds to admonish me about the hazards of OC --- being the first to get shot, not having body armor as LEOs do. ect. I say, "Isn't Utah great in that a permit ONLY allows concealment but does NOT require it." He ends by "I guess we will have to agree to disagree". He did not ask for any vehicle registration or insurance info and then retreats to his patrol vehicle.
He apparently calls for "back up" as a couple of minutes later I now have an another officer standing just behind my shoulder and about 10 feet away strongside. He makes small talk about the trike.
After a delay of a few minutes, the officer hands me back my DL which I replace in my wallet and then place the wallet on the front shelf against the speedometer display and above the key switch. I think for just a minute that I am only getting a warning.
I was wrong. I got the citation and secured it in the pocket where I keep the registration. Then I retrieve my wallet and reach right past my firearm to return it to my strongside hip pocket. After starting the bike I proceed to my destination.
I am wanting to write a letter to the city PD expressing frustration-- not about getting the citation but rather the officer's attempt during an official stop (not a concensual interaction) to tell me I must carry my lawfully carried firearm in a way other that I desire-- in some ways it would be just like me telling him how he must wear his socks or underwear, except---- I have a Constitutional Right "to keep and bear arms that shall not be infringed!"