EastTexasRancher wrote:I am taking a Citizens Police Academy course. Every police officer that has interacted with our group has been very vocal about carrying a weapon, and their "I wouldn't go anywhere without a gun" mentality. One woman was discussing with a Sargent having to disarm when she saw signage, and he asked "why? Concealed is concealed. I certainly wouldn't arrest you".
During one class that involved police vehicle driving and building searches, toy guns were used. They queried the class before it started to make sure nobody was carrying...so there'd be no confusion between toy / not a toy. They then went out of their way to ensure us we'd be kept safe by them, noting the "crazy state of things" right now.
Every one of them is very worried about today's world, saying "it's different now, and it's not going back to the way it was".
I feel so good about the department that protects us, and I'm also very proud and appreciative of the fine men and women on our force.
That is good to know and mirrors all of my encounters/discussions with LEO. However, while the Sargent may not arrest someone, simply for carrying, past a sign, he may not be there, and other officers might be a little less open minded.
All of the LEOs I have had a discussion with regarding LTC, were glad to have armed citizens around in case things went bad. The last discussion I had, was during my son's Eagle Scout project, the police department had stored some of the supplies in their storage room behind the office area. The project took place on a Saturday when the department was closed, so we had an officer meet us there to get the supplies. There was no signage in the lobby, but there was on the door leading to the office areas, and storage. I told the officer that I was carrying and asked him if I needed to take my gun back to the truck. He laughed and said, "I doubt you will try to shoot me over some concrete paint and roller pans." I agreed, saying "it would be very counter productive to the project." He hung around as we got started and we talked guns, LTC, shooting ranges, etc. I think that the negativity all comes from police administrators who have political agendas, and don't reflect the prevailing attitude of officers on the street.