You made a good argument, Bob. The problem is that if we follow Judge Thrash's line, we would have to conclude that people can be stopped for driving cars on a suspicion that they are driving without a license. That's a nonsense but how is it different from stopping a person carrying concealed gun on a suspicion that he carries it without a license?
You may not think that stopping a person without good reason is a big deal if it's done with intention to protect others. After all it only took 15 min and the gun was returned to him. Unfortunately it is a big deal. If we allow this to happen, where do we stop encroaching on civil liberties? We all know what happens to public safety when there is no due process to protect individual rights.
Judge Thrash decided that there were no violations in this case. Until this bizarre decision, courts consistently held that carrying a gun where permitted is not a reason to stop a person unless there are other factors such as suspicious or threatening behavior. That's why I think his decision will be overturned on appeal.
Mike
