transporting weapons through internal checkpoints

[Bucky G]

First of all I really resent internal checkpoints inside our country's borders
to me it's the first step in a militarized state

anyway... I was driving through one, just like I do everyday for the last thirteen years on the way home from work

only this time the homeland security officer asked if I had any weapons
I asked if that was any of his business
so I was promptly sent to secondary inspection where they xray'd my vehicle and their drug sniffing dog put two big scratches down the drivers door
I was driving my wife's new Yukon and she is pissed

so what's the deal, forget the fact that I consider internal checkpints illegal and a violation of my rights, but do they have the right to ask if I have weapons in my vehicle?

I thought they were only supposed to determine if i am a US citizen and let me on my way

[Cali-Shooter]

only this time the homeland security officer asked if I had any weapons
I asked if that was any of his business

I side with you on this, but to be honest, it IS his duty to ask (only when he has reasonable authority to though, but when he is allowed this authority is a mind-boggling subject). It seems like to me that that officer may or may not have perceived an attitude issue with you, but, in the least, perhaps what you said simply caused him to say to himself "Oh great, another 'Is it any of your business?' attitude-pusher" and sent you off to be searched instead of just being lax on you. I suggest you take a look at this thread for figuring out some ways to avoid being unnecessarily and blood boilingly searched.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=80571&page=7

[sevensix2x51]

eh, i go through the border patrol checks all the time with guns, not a big deal. when i have 5 cases piled on the back seat, and my varmint gun wedged between the passenger seat and center console, uncased and in the open, with magazines in the cupholders, the dude at the stop sign with the badge says, "do you have any weapons?"
i reply, "uhh, yes? of course?" staring at the gun 6" from my right elbow, and the response?
"have a nice day."
the best response i ever got was, "a whole bunch, huh? hahaha! have a nice day."

[Cali-Shooter]

I forgot to add, ALWAYS be honest. Also, don't be an *** to people who can give you a hard time.

[Bucky G]

I side with you on this, but to be honest, it IS his duty to ask (only when he has reasonable authority to though, but when he is allowed this authority is a mind-boggling subject). It seems like to me that that officer may or may not have perceived an attitude issue with you, but, in the least, perhaps what you said simply caused him to say to himself "Oh great, another 'Is it any of your business?' attitude-pusher" and sent you off to be searched instead of just being lax on you. I suggest you take a look at this thread for figuring out some ways to avoid being unnecessarily and blood boilingly searched.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...t=80571&page=7

thanks I just read a lot of that thread
I never gave them permission to search my car, yet they xrayed it, had drug dog search it , and they physically searched it as well

so where were my rights and where was probable cause as stated in that thread

I want them to pay for the scratches their dog did as well

[Bucky G]

I forgot to add, ALWAYS be honest. Also, don't be an *** to people who can give you a hard time.

amen

[sevensix2x51]

a lot of times your rights are sorted out in court, after the fact. it seems like the border patrol would rather make a bust than tiptoe around the 4th amendment... keep that in mind, and youll be alright.

[Cali-Shooter]

I never gave them permission to search my car, yet they xrayed it, had drug dog search it , and they physically searched it as well

so where were my rights and where was probable cause as stated in that thread

Man, I feel that same way, I was searched once. I went through all that you described to me, minus having the car x-rayed, having doggies sniff it out, and it wasn't MY car that they were searching (but a lot of my goodies were in it). Plus, I was handcuffed in the backseat of a squad car staring at the AR in front of me and thinking "LEO's get all the fun in kali..."

[Bucky G]

I'm going to get an estimate from the body shop on the scratches and take it to the chief at the border patrol, their office is just down the street from my work
I'll let you know what happens

[JustGone]

Who would you file a complaint with? I wouldn't want to file the complaint with the department or agency that did it.. could you file one with the FBI if needed?

[slappomatt]

good luck. Lets hope you can get some cash out of them. God knows they have got enough out of US.

[JTROKS]

The worst thing you can do is give an attitude to an augmentee wearing military uniform. He's there for his whole shift and he doesn't mind pulling overtime - he gets paid the same either way.

[Seesm]

bummer I hope they take care of you...

[joelukehart]

I went through a BP checkpoint in Imperial County about 10 years ago. The officer asked if I had anything illegal in my van and I replied " No sir, just my atv and my rifle." and he said "have a nice day" and waved me through. A good attitude goes a long way in an LEO encounter.

[rc50cal]

I went through a BP checkpoint in Imperial County about 10 years ago. The officer asked if I had anything illegal in my van and I replied " No sir, just my atv and my rifle." and he said "have a nice day" and waved me through. A good attitude goes a long way in an LEO encounter.

Joelukehart's advice is pretty good. Power hungry LEO's really irritate me, but nothing good ever comes out of giving them attitude even if it is justified.