Constitutional Law

Ten Rules for Dealing with Police

An article in the Washington Post. Here in Tucson, I'd have some others:

1. Before retrieving your registration from the glove compartment, tell the officer that you have a loaded .45 in there and offer to let him hold it. This is only polite.

2. Remove the magazine and clear the action. Again, this is simple politeness.

3. Do not waive your rights. If he offers to buy it, refuse unless he makes a really good offer. Around here, a shout of "I have a gun!" is apt to be met with "How much do you want for it?"

4. Accept his criticisms -- such as you should clean it, there is too much dust in the bore -- without arguing. If he wants advice on its reliability, give it unless he has given Miranda warnings.

5. Be thankful you live in Pima County and not in another place where an officer might get riled if you announced you had a gun.

Full post as published by Of Arms and the Law on March 31, 2010 (boomark / email).