imported post
Bellevue Square Mall - Police Were Called
I went to Bellevue Square Mall with my children and my parents, carrying openly. We bought some toys and let the kids play on the play structure. After a while, we got up and headed towards a food court for some lunch. On the way, I was stopped by mall security.
The unarmed security guard said that they had gotten several calls about me. He asked if I had a Concealed Permit, and I said that I did. He then asked if I would mind concealing it to avoid problems. I said that I didn't have a proper holster with me for concealing it, and I had not brought a jacket. I held up my child's jacket for humor. The guard said that he understands my situation, and that he personally carries when he's not working, but that I should try to avoid trouble and conceal it. He asked if I could go leave it in the car. He also said that the police had been called, and that they would probably be happier if I could conceal it.
I told him that I wanted to feed the kids, and that I was going to the food court. After that, I would leave the mall. I also said that I'd be happy to speak with the police when they arrived, and that he could direct them to the food court.
In the middle of our meal, I sawa gaggle of officers huddled up discussing how they would deal with me. After a few minutes, they quietly surrounded me and the designated officer introduced himself. They were Bellevue Police, and they just wanted to talk some sense into me. They looked at my ID and called it in. They asked if I had a CPL, but they did not ask to see it. They asked me to conceal my sidearm, and I gave the same excuses that it was not currently convenient, and that I would return to my car after I was done with my meal. I got a lecture. The officer said that some states allow you to carry a gun like that, but in this state it was illegal to carry a gun with intent to intimidate. Now he said I wasn't being threatening, but they got several calls from people who were "alarmed" (yes, he used that word, a clear legal threat) and that what I was doing was "on the border line" of legality. He said the CPL says "concealed." I replied that it says that because without one, you may not carry a pistol concealed. If you don't have a permit, you may only carry openly, as I am. They were aware that carrying openly does not require a permit, and that it was technically legal.
It sounded like all they wanted was for me to agree that carrying openly was a poor choice, and they'd let me go. They repeatedly used phrases such as "now we don't want to ruin your lunch or take you away from your family, so please just be reasonable." I know that they were considering arresting me if I was uncooperative. I finallyrepeated that I would leave the mall directly, and they decided to end it there.
My parents chimed in saying that they agreed with the officers, and that they had been trying unsuccessfully to get me to conceal it. Thankfuly, this didn't make things worse. The police left. My relationship with my parents and their inability to respect my choice on this issue is entirely separate, and please let's not discuss it here.
Mall security stayed within sight throughout the meal. We headed for our exit, and stopped at the bathroom for our toddler. Mall security waited outside. They followed me (at as much distance as visibility would allow) out to my car, and watchd as I drove off. Mall security was unobtrusive, but they did want to see where I went.
Overall it was an annoyance, and one I expect to encounter again in the future. Hopefuly they will all go as well as this one did, or better.
--Sandy(WA)