Moon Township man says police stop over gun was unjust

[dennis40x]

http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2009/06/22/news/doc4a3d92a34b21d777454049.txt

Moon Township man says police stop over gun was unjust

Excerpts taken from story:

McElearney Account - "McElearney said he was surrounded by a dozen officers in six police cars, and eight officers pointed their guns at him after he was ordered to place his hands against a nearby tree. He said officers then disarmed him, frisked him and ran his name through a police database before ultimately returning his weapon and letting him go on his way."

Department's Account - "You know what kind of society we live in these days. Almost every single week in Moon Township, we take illegal firearms off individuals. Moon Township is a great place, but it's not Mayberry. We don't know who we're dealing with. I think we responded prudently. We only briefly took his weapon off him," McCarthy said.

For full account see the above link. The issue is problematic in my opinion. I believe the police acted appropriately, read the complete story!

 

[USAF385]

My guess is the police account is accurate. They aren't denying the fact that what his actions were legal. I'm sure he's just making his story a bit more dramatic.

I kind of wonder what would happen if I open carried in one of the towns around here.... In Clarks Summit... filled with uppity snobs who have special outfits for every occasion (The kind of people who don't really know much about fishing, but have all sorts of expensive clothing and gear for the one weekend a year they have their "fishing trip") I'm sure people would by running for their lives and calling the cops.

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

I read some of the blog responses. Damn! These people are really left wing sickos!

They talk about "gun nuts"...."walking around at night with a gun".

Well, I walk a dog every night at midnight...with a gun in my pocket. Dog has to go do her business before going to bed. I guess that makes me a "gun nut"?

I don't care who's "story" was more accurate. It was a non issue! Get over it!

COME ON, GIMME A BREAK!

 

[dennis40x]

I don't care who's "story" was more accurate. It was a non issue! Get over it!
COME ON, GIMME A BREAK!

I disagree. The police were placed in a no win situation. They had I complaint that required investigation. The young man in question after the incident embellished it on an "Open Carry" Blog.

 

[NFrameFred]

The way I read it, he acted as if he had something to hide and in a manner all but guaranteed to arouse the suspicion of any reasonable police officer. Then he embellished the heck out of his story which further reduces his credibility.

Young, not showing good judgment in my opinion, and strikes me as one of those who just "has to let you know" he's carrying. Everybody has seen one or more of them. Can't be around you five minutes without letting you know they're "heeled". If he lives long enough maybe he'll learn better . . . .

 

[mtb1bkr]

What a dumb *** is all I can think. If you are going to walk around open carrying, don't do so without expecting some attention. Then, when you get the attention don't start acting suspicious.

Also, what's a 1st Class City???? From the article: "Philadelphia is Pennsylvania's only first-class city."

Bill

 

[xcpd69]

IF the Police account of his actions, upon the approach of the responding Officer were accurate, he was LOOKING to be stopped and questioned. As in trolling.

IF he had merely maintained his normal pace and NOT looked evasive, with the INTENT to draw suspicion, the contact would have likely been much shorter and simpler.

Man with an agenda.

 

[mkk41]

There's a small faction in PA that really get off on this kind of attention. I call them 'open carry clowns'. They set up meets in public places and show up carrying openly , just to get attention , just to irk the non-gun public and police and probably , hopefully , get a lawsuit/payday.

Their actions are getting noticed , more anti-gun legislation is being proposed.

I've held an FFL , and been carrying concealed in PA for over 25 years and have never had such a problem. I don't feel a need to draw attention to myself.

 

[dennis40x]

There's a small faction in PA that really get off on this kind of attention. I call them 'open carry clowns'. They set up meets in public places and show up carrying openly , just to get attention , just to irk the non-gun public and police and probably , hopefully , get a lawsuit/payday.

Let us not forget the "Soccer Mom" and the "Agitator" from Beaver County whom made an appearance during the last presidential election campaign. Yep we got them bring in the clowns.

 

[flop-shank]

There's a small faction in PA that really get off on this kind of attention. I call them 'open carry clowns'. They set up meets in public places and show up carrying openly , just to get attention , just to irk the non-gun public and police and probably , hopefully , get a lawsuit/payday.

I don't feel a need to draw attention to myself.

I agree. If there was anyone who wished open carry was a viable option, it's me. I carry a three pound gun. That's not counting the BUGs. I'll keep it where it belongs, out of sight and out of mind.

 

[USAF385]

There's a small faction in PA that really get off on this kind of attention. I call them 'open carry clowns'. They set up meets in public places and show up carrying openly , just to get attention , just to irk the non-gun public and police and probably , hopefully , get a lawsuit/payday.

Their actions are getting noticed , more anti-gun legislation is being proposed.

Kind of like a group of people in some sort of open carry club here in PA who got kicked out of Old Country Buffet since they felt they all needed to show off their sidearms while eating. I mean.. Buffets can get pretty dangerous, but come on....

 

[mkk41]

Let us not forget the "Soccer Mom" and the "Agitator" from Beaver County whom made an appearance during the last presidential election campaign. Yep we got them bring in the clowns.

Yep , that extremely large woman could have easily covered under the tent sized tank top she was wearing but had it tucked behind the pistol (Glock).

 

[Dan Cash]

So let me get this straight; a person with a concealed weapon is of no concern but a person openly carrying is suspect and a target for a police stop? I guess only criminals will carry in the open? Give me a break!

 

[dennis40x]

So let me get this straight; a person with a concealed weapon is of no concern but a person openly carrying is suspect and a target for a police stop? I guess only criminals will carry in the open? Give me a break!

Some people just ignore the obvious. The young man for the non usage of a less polite term was looking for his five minutes of fame. Then the same individual embellishes his story on an "Open Carry" Blog. He has a concealed carry permit issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Carrying concealed he is a non story. When you have the options of concealed carry use it. Read the entire article!!!!!!

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

The man has a right to carry openly. I think the police have a right to stop him and ask a few questions when he acts strangely, particularly when he's carrying a gun.

Non-issue.

 

[mkk41]

With rights come responsibilities! While the basic idea of the open carry law is sound , what's to stop criminals or those othewise prohibited from owning , much less carrying guns , from using this 'freedom' to skirt the law?

PS. I put this line of thinking with the openly gay movement. I don't care who sleeps with who. Just don't go rubbing it in my face. I'm happily hetro , but don't need to announce it every 5sec to every passerby. If you need public acceptance to find inner peace with your chosen lifestyle , you've got much deeper problems than you think.

And at 5'11" , 280lbs and fairly ugly bearded long haired biker ( and former Navy Ordnanceman) , I don't need to openly brandish a firearm to intimidate the so-called bad guys or wanna-be gangsta's I come across.

 

[mrwildroot]

What a dumb *** is all I can think. If you are going to walk around open carrying, don't do so without expecting some attention. Then, when you get the attention don't start acting suspicious.

Also, what's a 1st Class City???? From the article: "Philadelphia is Pennsylvania's only first-class city."

Bill

The term: "First Class City" refers to the number of residents.
In Pennsylvania, the only city that fulfills this requirement is Philadelphia. You may still open carry, but a "License To Carry Firearms" (LTCF) is required.
mw

 

[flop-shank]

The last thing I would ever call Philadelphia is a first class city.

 

[cmort666]

With rights come responsibilities! While the basic idea of the open carry law is sound , what's to stop criminals or those othewise prohibited from owning , much less carrying guns , from using this 'freedom' to skirt the law?

That was Voinovich's excuse for opposing CONCEALED carry in Ohio.