steveforopen
Regular Member
imported post
As some of you know, I had planned on vacationing in Rehoboth Beach this week. Well, I finally returned and I apologize for not giving updates while I was there but my laptop was not cooperating.
I was walking the boardwalk by myself around 7:30pm on Tuesday night when I was flagged down by an unarmed deputy wearily making her way towards me near See's Candy and Playland Amusement Park. I assumed she was seasonal help, as to why she was not armed. This is how the conversation went. NOTE: I do not remember this conversation verbatim, but this is the gist and I've emboldened words and phrases I clearly remember.
LEO: Are you with the department?
Me: Excuse me?
LEO: Are you a police officer?
Me: No, ma'am.
LEO: Are you legally allowed to have that gun on you?
Me: Yes, ma'am. Rehoboth Beach has no local ordinances prohibiting the carrying of loaded firearms in the open.
LEO: That's only if you have a permit. I'll be needing to see both your ID and permit please.
Me: Ma'am, I am from out of state. I do not qualify for a permit, the only way I can legally carry is if my firearm is in the open. (I hand her my PA ID)
LEO: Sir, please step up against the building while I contact my supervisor.
At this point, I am being observed by nearly twenty people sitting on benches facing the Grotto Pizza wall that I am up against. Up until this point, I have not had a second look at my firearm, including the many souvenier shops that I went into and the restaraunt that I dined at. The LEO detaining me was on the radio for a brief second, all the while keeping her eyes glued to me. At this point,three other unarmed LEOs arrived and stood near her, none of them engaging me. Finally, afternearlysix minutes of sweating against the wall, she comes back over.
LEO: Sir, my supervisor has made it clear to me that loaded and exposed carry is legal in Rehoboth Beach, however I must make clear to you that we have absolutely no crime in Rehoboth. As you can see, I am clearly unarmed, as are the rest of our boardwalk patrol. Violent crime does not exist here.
Me: I understand that, ma'am however I am from out of town and when I go anywhere with my family, I am armed wherever I am legally allowed.
LEO: And that's your right, however we have a vested public interest in maintaining the safety of the boardwalk and feel that no citizen will need their firearm in self-defense while they are visiting.
Me: Well, I appreciate your opinion ma'am. If you'd allow me, Iam already running late and I'm sure my family is worried about me so I'd like to be on my way.
LEO: You can leave, however I'd recommend never coming to the boardwalk again with your firearm. It is irresponsible and downright stupid.
This is where she sort of struck a nerve. I had to bite my lip, and wanted to retort however the crowd surrounding my detention was growing and I did not want to seem hostile.
Me: Well, that's your opinion ma'am but frankly I don't appreciate you verbally degrading me like that.
LEO: Well next time don't give me a reason to. There are hundreds of children walking the boardwalk for God's sake!
Me: Well, maybe your department should make policy to allow you to carry firearms so you can protect those children. Now please excuse me, I need to find my family.
I interrupted her at this point. The next moment was my most uncomfortable moment OC'ing. As I made my way past the officers, it was like the parting of the red sea. There were nearlytwenty or sopeople watching me at this point, and as I walked past them they all pushed their children out of the way and continued to stare. I would have never had that happen if I hadn't of been detained. I walked the length of the boardwalk to go back to my car, and left for my hotel.
Man was I angry that drive home! :cuss:I'll be sending a letter to the Leuitenant I emailed with letting him know what happened.
As some of you know, I had planned on vacationing in Rehoboth Beach this week. Well, I finally returned and I apologize for not giving updates while I was there but my laptop was not cooperating.
I was walking the boardwalk by myself around 7:30pm on Tuesday night when I was flagged down by an unarmed deputy wearily making her way towards me near See's Candy and Playland Amusement Park. I assumed she was seasonal help, as to why she was not armed. This is how the conversation went. NOTE: I do not remember this conversation verbatim, but this is the gist and I've emboldened words and phrases I clearly remember.
LEO: Are you with the department?
Me: Excuse me?
LEO: Are you a police officer?
Me: No, ma'am.
LEO: Are you legally allowed to have that gun on you?
Me: Yes, ma'am. Rehoboth Beach has no local ordinances prohibiting the carrying of loaded firearms in the open.
LEO: That's only if you have a permit. I'll be needing to see both your ID and permit please.
Me: Ma'am, I am from out of state. I do not qualify for a permit, the only way I can legally carry is if my firearm is in the open. (I hand her my PA ID)
LEO: Sir, please step up against the building while I contact my supervisor.
At this point, I am being observed by nearly twenty people sitting on benches facing the Grotto Pizza wall that I am up against. Up until this point, I have not had a second look at my firearm, including the many souvenier shops that I went into and the restaraunt that I dined at. The LEO detaining me was on the radio for a brief second, all the while keeping her eyes glued to me. At this point,three other unarmed LEOs arrived and stood near her, none of them engaging me. Finally, afternearlysix minutes of sweating against the wall, she comes back over.
LEO: Sir, my supervisor has made it clear to me that loaded and exposed carry is legal in Rehoboth Beach, however I must make clear to you that we have absolutely no crime in Rehoboth. As you can see, I am clearly unarmed, as are the rest of our boardwalk patrol. Violent crime does not exist here.
Me: I understand that, ma'am however I am from out of town and when I go anywhere with my family, I am armed wherever I am legally allowed.
LEO: And that's your right, however we have a vested public interest in maintaining the safety of the boardwalk and feel that no citizen will need their firearm in self-defense while they are visiting.
Me: Well, I appreciate your opinion ma'am. If you'd allow me, Iam already running late and I'm sure my family is worried about me so I'd like to be on my way.
LEO: You can leave, however I'd recommend never coming to the boardwalk again with your firearm. It is irresponsible and downright stupid.
This is where she sort of struck a nerve. I had to bite my lip, and wanted to retort however the crowd surrounding my detention was growing and I did not want to seem hostile.
Me: Well, that's your opinion ma'am but frankly I don't appreciate you verbally degrading me like that.
LEO: Well next time don't give me a reason to. There are hundreds of children walking the boardwalk for God's sake!
Me: Well, maybe your department should make policy to allow you to carry firearms so you can protect those children. Now please excuse me, I need to find my family.
I interrupted her at this point. The next moment was my most uncomfortable moment OC'ing. As I made my way past the officers, it was like the parting of the red sea. There were nearlytwenty or sopeople watching me at this point, and as I walked past them they all pushed their children out of the way and continued to stare. I would have never had that happen if I hadn't of been detained. I walked the length of the boardwalk to go back to my car, and left for my hotel.
Man was I angry that drive home! :cuss:I'll be sending a letter to the Leuitenant I emailed with letting him know what happened.