Run in with the League City Police at Alex Rodrigez Mercedes

[KinnyLee]

A LEO does not need "probable cause" to stop you on private property that is closed to conduct an investigation.

It sounds as though they were hired to work there due to a particular crime problem the dealership was having.

So the officer asks for ID and the person does not disclose, as required by law, that he is carrying a handgun and does not provide his CHL until a warrant check is announced.

I would have disarmed him too, to make a point if nothing else.

I'm learning. I know that I've screwed up the moment I've done that. There won't be a next time. :)

[Kalrog]

I'm learning. I know that I've screwed up the moment I've done that. There won't be a next time. :)

Good for you. Better to learn from others' mistakes than from your own (so thanks for sharing), but far better to learn from your own mistakes than to make them again.

[stevie_d_64]

KinnyLee...

One thing I do to make sure I have everything "in order"...

I took some clear tape and "hinged" the two ID's together, not marring any ability to "swipe" the magnetic strip on them...Even though I do not think the strip works anymore on the DL...Echhh, go figure...

They sandwich together in a pocket in my wallet with the DL showing most of the time in a clear window in the wallet...

I do not remove the DL/CHL sandwich unless its an LEO interaction...For all other uses, they can see it just fine through the window...There is just not many things I do that require the removal and inspection of my ID's outside a situation like yours and mine...

Just a suggestion, something I learned years ago...

[stevie_d_64]

BTW, I do know that LCPD is a strict enforcement heavy PD...And to me thats a good thing...

I think since I have been driving since I was 16-17, I have received more citations from that department than anywhere else...About 50% of them, and I have only been cited 5-6 times in over 20 years...The rest is a smattering of HPD, and one from a rural S.O. in Northeast Texas...

None of which was I ever hinted at being disarmed for any reason or probable cause...

So I think those are pretty good numbers...I know it should be less, but heck, the odds are against some of us...

Its a good group of folks, and I am just surprised at their handling of this incident...Maybe their procedures for traffic enforcement (of CHL'ers), and their procedures for encounters away from a motor vehicle is different...

Who knows...

[ghentry]

Am I the only one who would prefer that LEOs not "empty or make safe" a CHL's handgun? That is way more dangerous than leaving it loaded and just keeping your finger off the trigger. And if you are going to empty it - why empty the mag? hand back the gun + loaded mag + 1 round that was in the pipe.

Nope, you're not the only one. It's as if they are saying, "I'm the only one professional enough....".

[KinnyLee]

Stevie,

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give that a try. It's definitely a valuable lesson learned at my own expense. lol. Good thing everything is peachy afterwards.

[stevie_d_64]

Am I the only one who would prefer that LEOs not "empty or make safe" a CHL's handgun? That is way more dangerous than leaving it loaded and just keeping your finger off the trigger. And if you are going to empty it - why empty the mag? hand back the gun + loaded mag + 1 round that was in the pipe.

Nope, you're not the only one. It's as if they are saying, "I'm the only one professional enough....".

BANG!

opps...

[Bubba]

Am I the only one who would prefer that LEOs not "empty or make safe" a CHL's handgun? That is way more dangerous than leaving it loaded and just keeping your finger off the trigger. And if you are going to empty it - why empty the mag? hand back the gun + loaded mag + 1 round that was in the pipe.

Nope, you're not the only one. It's as if they are saying, "I'm the only one professional enough....".

+1
It's an insult !
:(

[TraCoun]

On the issue of LEO's unloading your magazines and handing them and the ammo back in one big pile ... yes, a PITA, but think of all the crazies who might just be playing along to get the LEO to relax. If the LEO hands back the mags loaded, it only takes the BG a very short time to load and open fire. Having to re-stuff the magazines makes it a lot slower and gives the LEO more time to respond. I'm not an LEO, don't claim any have said this, but that's the thought I've had.
Thanx,
TraCoun

[anygunanywhere]

but think of all the crazies who might just be playing along to get the LEO to relax. If the LEO hands back the mags loaded, it only takes the BG a very short time to load and open fire. Having to re-stuff the magazines makes it a lot slower and gives the LEO more time to respond. I'm not an LEO, don't claim any have said this, but that's the thought I've had.
Thanx,
TraCoun

You have a point, but they already know we hold CHL's and are much less likely to be one of the "crazies". If an officer hands me back my emptied mag and a handful of shells, I will address the situation further up the food chain. Handling firearms in such a manner is dangerous, and all officer who exhibit this behavior are not experts on all handguns.

[KBCraig]

On the issue of LEO's unloading your magazines and handing them and the ammo back in one big pile ... yes, a PITA, but think of all the crazies who might just be playing along to get the LEO to relax. If the LEO hands back the mags loaded, it only takes the BG a very short time to load and open fire. Having to re-stuff the magazines makes it a lot slower and gives the LEO more time to respond. I'm not an LEO, don't claim any have said this, but that's the thought I've had.

No doubt that is the thinking in some officers' minds, but it's woefully short-sighted.

Like someone mentioned earlier, I believe I'd have stuffed the magazine and loose ammo into my pocket, then pulled out a fresh magazine and charged my pistol before holstering it.

A peace officer has the legal authority to disarm a CHL, but unless there's some situation with emotions involved, it's an insult.

Most police officers are just like us, in that they're only familiar with a couple of pistol designs that they may own or be issued. I really don't want anyone unfamiliar with my pistol to be dinking around with it. Especially with a 1911, I'd do my best to politely persuade the officer to let me clear it before handing it over.

Kevin

[CaptDave]

Kinny Lee:

Just curious, what time of the day - or night, were you at the dealership?

Were they open for business at the time of your encounter with LCPD?

Just a few observations that weren't too clear in your original post.

Glad to hear everything went smoothly.

[ea40ss]

I guess the point here is that Alex Rodrigez dealerships doesn't want people looking at their cars after hours. Otherwise they wouldn' t have asked you to leave. If this is the case they should post signs. My wife and I have been to many dealerships after hours and have seen security riding or walking around and have never been approached. Many folks like to pre-shop for their cars afterhours to avoid the sales people until they have made a choice or narrowed it down.

So, you are on the lot doing what many people do and have made no attempt at mischief. You are asked for ID, searched, disarmed, and run through a warrant check. Seems a little excessive. As far as unloading the mag, IF they were that concerned they should have searched for other mags or weapons. It could just be their policy.

Grabbing a fresh mag, inserting it, dropping the slide, safety and re-holster? I love it. I wouldn't want to be the one to try it though.

Just curious, were there other folks walking around the lot or just y'all? I wonder if everyone that entered the lot after hours that night got the same treatment?

Just a few thoughts,
Eric

[ea40ss]

All of this is assuming that you didn't pull up to the dealership in a mercedes with a broke mirror and get out of the car with a tool bag in your hand.

Maybe then, they would have had cause.

Eric

[KinnyLee]

Kinny Lee:

Just curious, what time of the day - or night, were you at the dealership?

Were they open for business at the time of your encounter with LCPD?

Just a few observations that weren't too clear in your original post.

Glad to hear everything went smoothly.

Capt Dave. Sorry for not being clear. The dealership was not open. It was at around 11:30PM. I guess that may be the reason. lol. This is something we've done every once in a while in the middle of the night and the police activities were extremely heavy that night including us reporting a hit and run with the license plate info to the Webster PD earlier that night. I guess we should have taken the hint and went home, but we stayed and looked around anyway.