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While out at a BLM site area in CA, I was enjoying a nice day out with some friends. As the day ended we started packing up when all of the sudden, a BLM officer came driving aggressively towards us to make contact.
Are average age among us is around 30. We weren't all decked out in camouflage or tactical accessories. We were not all gansta'd out either. Just casual clothes. No tattoos. No piercings. No crazy hair. All pretty much clean cut.
When he made contact, he first, kind of started circling around us to see what we had out in the open. Then he told me to disarm (I had a side arm). He continued to tell me "whenever law enforcement approaches, you should disarm." (I complied but don't think reaching for my sidearm as a LEO is making contact is a smart move).
He started asking if we had drugs & alcohol and if we had consumed any. He asked what guns we had and what we were shooting at.
Now, mind you, none of us threw a video camera in his face. None of us became confrontational or started spouting off our rights. None of us gave any resistance or attitude.
He then proceeded to lecture us for 5 minutes or so on keeping the place clean and that BLM will shut this place down.
I am a little confused on a few things that happened.
Did I actually have to disarm? Does he have the right to inquire about what guns we have and what we are shooting at? Does he have the right to ask about our drug/alcohol use?
All of us are law abiding citizens. We were doing nothing wrong. Nothing was suspicious. There was no crime reported. We weren't driving. What gives?
One of the member of our group is in Law Enforcement and didn't play that card right away. And when he did, it only mildly calmed the BLM officer down. I thought for sure once a member of our group identified themselves, that the BLM officer would have immediately said have a nice day and leave.
Not sure if I am being a little/lot overly sensitive? Not 100% sure about if I the BLM officer was conducting himself properly? Maybe just poor people skills on the BLM officers side?
Or is this all a real problem and BLM needs to learn how to do business better?
Are average age among us is around 30. We weren't all decked out in camouflage or tactical accessories. We were not all gansta'd out either. Just casual clothes. No tattoos. No piercings. No crazy hair. All pretty much clean cut.
When he made contact, he first, kind of started circling around us to see what we had out in the open. Then he told me to disarm (I had a side arm). He continued to tell me "whenever law enforcement approaches, you should disarm." (I complied but don't think reaching for my sidearm as a LEO is making contact is a smart move).
He started asking if we had drugs & alcohol and if we had consumed any. He asked what guns we had and what we were shooting at.
Now, mind you, none of us threw a video camera in his face. None of us became confrontational or started spouting off our rights. None of us gave any resistance or attitude.
He then proceeded to lecture us for 5 minutes or so on keeping the place clean and that BLM will shut this place down.
I am a little confused on a few things that happened.
Did I actually have to disarm? Does he have the right to inquire about what guns we have and what we are shooting at? Does he have the right to ask about our drug/alcohol use?
All of us are law abiding citizens. We were doing nothing wrong. Nothing was suspicious. There was no crime reported. We weren't driving. What gives?
One of the member of our group is in Law Enforcement and didn't play that card right away. And when he did, it only mildly calmed the BLM officer down. I thought for sure once a member of our group identified themselves, that the BLM officer would have immediately said have a nice day and leave.
Not sure if I am being a little/lot overly sensitive? Not 100% sure about if I the BLM officer was conducting himself properly? Maybe just poor people skills on the BLM officers side?
Or is this all a real problem and BLM needs to learn how to do business better?
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