Just how do we protect what few rights we have left????

[VaderSpade]

[Wherryj]

You're lucky that you didn't get the DFG Officer "Fife" that stopped a friend of mine a while back to check on their limit of ducks.

They had three hunters who each bagged 7 ducks. The problem was that the three guys had three duck straps, but their youngest member had ended up putting the ducks unequally on the stringers. Thus they had one with 7, one with 8 and one with 6.

The DFG guy threatened for quite a while to cite them ($9k fine). Just a warming i f you get someone unreasonable, you just might get trouble while trying to protect your rights.

[taperxz]

Yet at the same token F&G. Is assisting you when you had problems and you are all for them doing whatever it takes to have them punished. What right did you lose? You said the warden sent you on your way?

The interviews were also back in Oct. and no they...

The interviews were also back in Oct. and no they didn’t even try to apologize, they just lied and they were bad lies at that.

Like I said I’m sure they think this has all blown over.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=356969

[VaderSpade]

Taperxz

I have respect for our officers, the above example ended quite well in my option. I just want all encounters to end as well.

Being assaulted while hunting has nothing to do with this thread! Why are you bringing that thread over here???

Because F&G is assisting me on one case (doing their job) doesn't mean I should give up my rights as a citizen?

[Patrick Aherne]

You didn't give consent, no search was made and you went on your way. Why are you obsessing over this?

[taperxz]

Taperxz

I have respect for our officers, the above example ended quite well in my option. I just want all encounters to end as well.

Being assaulted while hunting has nothing to do with this thread! Why are you bringing that thread over here???

Because F&G is assisting me on one case (doing their job) doesn't mean I should give up my rights as a citizen?

Exactly! Doing their job! There is no right lost if they ask and you consent. My point of the other thread being posted here is to simply show how attitudes change when the shoe is on the other foot.

You were so upset with your prior experience I bet you wouldn't have cared how LE got info to help YOU with that case.

[VaderSpade]

Patrick

I’m not obsessing, I was giving an example of an encounter that ended well. I think it ended well because I asserted my rights.
The point of this thread is; how do we assert our rights without upsetting our fine officers?
How is that point NOT getting across?

[VaderSpade]

Taperxz said; "I bet you wouldn't have cared how LE got info to help YOU with that case."

You could not be more wrong on this point. I care because if rules are broken cases get thrown out. I want all T’s crossed and I’s dotted.

If you don’t have any positive input please stop trolling.

[taperxz]

Once you told the warden you had guns, he had every right within the law to check your firearms to see if they were loaded or not. You told him you were not hunting YET. I think that would equal, nothing in the hole, nothing in the mag. If you were hunting he would only check what was in the hole. This all depends on the Natl. Forest and what type of road you were on. Open for correction.

[taperxz]

Sorry if you think I'm trolling. Your OP seems to be you complaining about a non event. The warden could have checked your firearms legally.

[VaderSpade]

It seems as though we’re off to a bad start here.

I have read many threads here where people don’t know just how to assert their rights without unsetting officers. The thread that got me started on this was one where officers are checking guns at the range. I’ve never been checked, although I have had officers come up and ask “are all of these guns legal?” I said yes and they moved on. Others are saying officers are picking up their guns and checking them.

I’m not comfortable handing anyone I don’t know my gun, but especially when I might not get it back because the officer does NOT know the law.

I am asking for help and opinions on how to inform officers that I don’t wish to give up my civil rights without upsetting them.

[taperxz]

That's cool, but in your OP the Warden could have required an E check. That's where the big question came up. You were able to drive away without him checking when he could legally check your guns.

[VaderSpade]

I guess I muddied the thread with examples.

Let’s make it simple. If I do not want to give up my civil liberties should I just hand the officer my lawyer’s card stating I DO NOT CONSENT TO ANY SEARCH! And hope he doesn’t get upset, or should I try to explain that I’m tired of losing my rights and don’t want them violated?

The statement below is the most diplomatic way I think I can assert my rights. I think a good officer can understand without getting too upset. What do you think of this statement, and how can it be improved?

As a natural born citizen of the United States of America, and a gun owner I know my rights are being attacked every day. This is happening to the point I may not know what rights I have on any given day or place. You ask if you can search my home, my car, my gun, and I don’t know how to answer.
As a law enforcement officer you should know the answer better than I. If you need to ask then the answer is NO, I will NOT give up ANY of my civil liberties. I DO NOT consent to ANY search.
I have nothing to hide, BUT I have a lot to lose, I have my FREEDOM to lose, and that I will not give up lightly.

[VaderSpade]

That's cool, but in your OP the Warden could have required an E check. That's where the big question came up. You were able to drive away without him checking when he could legally check your guns.

He did ask if they were locked in a case and unloaded before he let me go.

One of the problems is that none of us really knows where our rights have been taken away. Where or when we may be searched because this or that court said so, or you give up your rights to be able to hunt, or drive or whatever. This is subject to change every day. So when an officer asks if he can check how do I really know, and where do we draw the line?

[mdimeo]

"Sorry, Officer. I know you're just doing your job, but I'm kinda a civil rights nerd and I do not consent to any searches. Am I free to go?"

Short, polite, states your position, and provides a seed of worry that an unlawful search could end up in court.