The Right to Brandish Arms? I was leaving one residential project and heading to another when I realized that I had no idea where I was going so I pulled over to re-program my GPS for the next stop rather than trying to lookup the address and re-program on the fly. It’s a quintessential Pennsylvania Bible belt neighborhood outside of Lancaster Pa the kind of place where kids are safe on the street; I’d actually lived in the next neighborhood over for a few years. While pulled over I noticed a red Cadillac pull up behind me, kind of sticking half way out the way a cop would position his car when making a traffic stop. Next thing I know a guy with a gun belt full of bullets packing what looked like a 9mm was walking up to the side of my truck, seeming almost cop like in his movements. I could see in the rear view mirror that he had his wallet in his left hand with his right hand on his holstered gun as he approached my window cautiously. At this point I’m thinking WTF is going on here, maybe I’ve stumbled onto a stakeout by federal agents, maybe a meth house bust, I had no idea. When the “cop” approached my open driver’s side window he opened his wallet about ¼ way, just enough so I could see a gold star, not giving me a long enough look for me to gather any information about who this guy was or why he had siddled up to my truck. It didn’t pass the smell test, as a matter of fact between the red caddy, the camo vest, the gun belt, the flash of a badge things were starting to stink. I’ve spent the better part of my life working in and around inner cities. The couple of times I’ve blundered into a bad situation involving undercover cops they have shoved their ID in my face and said “police officer”, wasn’t happening here. His first words were “do you mind telling me what you’re doing here” as he stayed back behind my door like I was suddenly going to draw and fire. I countered with “do you mind showing me your ID again?” a reasonable request to a real law enforcement professional. His answer “I’m asking the questions here” my answer “I’m calling the cops”, as I put the truck in gear and eased ahead, watching in the mirror in case I had to start dodging shots. I heard him say as I slipped forward “No wait I just want to talk”. I knew then he was some nut with a gun playing cop. The real eye opener was when I went to the real cops: it turns out that nothing he had done was illegal. I can go get a permit to carry, buy a 9mm, walk up to parked cars, show a dime store badge and ask somewhat what they’re doing. To impersonate a police officer you need to say “police officer” or make someone perform an action such as get them out of the car and search them, this guy knew the letter of the law. He is a NYC cop on disability (faking a disability). He was obviously paranoid about being surveilled as well he should be. He claimed I was concealing my identity with sun glasses and a hat. Here is the best part: He had been arrested for tasing someone about a month ago, he still had his permit to carry a concealed weapon; he still had his NYC cop badge, still collecting disability from NYC. I’m sure he knew the letter of the law and framed his side of the story very carefully. I can only hope that by turning him into the cops and building a history against him when he does kill a neighborhood kid that might be a little high and a little cocky at least he’ll be convicted. Mark Celebuski
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 18:22:46 +0000
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