CCW encounter......

[ap3572001]

What would You do in this situation.

You are at Starbucks with Your partner on a weekday morning.
Working day shift in a NICE part of town.
While waiting for Your drinks , You BOTH notice a man in line who has a bulge behind His right hip, under His sweater that CLEARLY looks like a handgun.

TO YOU , He does not look like an off duty officer.

The people who work at that Starbucks act like they know the man.

Based on the situation described above , what would You do ?

Would You do anything at all?

Thanks.

[ap3572001]

REMOVED

Really ? Sound like stupid thing to do ... OR TO SAY.

[spetsnaz]

Mind your own business. I don't get the point of asking him anyyhing

[ap3572001]

Mind your own business. I don't get the point of asking him anyyhing

Are You LE? This question is for another LEO.

[omnitravis]

Why do you want another LEOs opinion? You are a LEO. Stop keeping things inside your little circle, you only serve to alienate yourselves.

While it is your business to see if the man can legally carry, I would take cautions to not embarrass the man or cause a scene in a crowded place(stop supporting starbucks btw..). I would have waited until he got his items, then stepped outside with him and asked.

[Eric B]

Cop here... I wouldn't do a damn thing. My belief that I think I see a gun is not enough for me to force an encounter for a fishing expedition. Between phones and medical devices, there are a hell of a lot of things on people's belts. Also, I often look nothing like a cop when out and about, but I'm always carrying.

Would I keep an eagle on him? Absolutely.

[Galli1565]

You could consensual contact him (outside of Starbucks) and ask if he is a CCW holder. If he is most of the CCW holders I contact are more than willing to show you their credentials and gun. After you discover he is code 4 you could talk with him about holster selection and getting a better cover garment. All in all it's for his safety as you do not want a concerned citizen callin him in for a "man with a gun call"

In reality you don't have a lot to go on, In my opinion it would be an illegal detention if you stopped him just to look at a buldge under his shirt. Who knows, maybe it's a cell phone or insulin pump. Just be safe, you can never be "too careful"

[Eric B]

Why do you want another LEOs opinion, you have one in your own head? Stop keeping things inside your little circle, you only serve to alienate yourselves.

While it is your business to see if the man can legally carry, I would take cautions to not embarrass the man or cause a scene in a crowded place(stop supporting starbucks btw..). I would have waited until he got his items, then stepped outside with him and asked.

Assuming the OP is an LEO, there is a reason a non-LEO's opinion was not solicited.

When we are in court answering to the people about why we did something, our actions are compared to that of another officer with the same training and experiences. No one can expect us to act in the same manner that a surgeon/teacher/CEO/fireman would. Its a long standing legal precedent.

[ap3572001]

Cop here... I wouldn't do a damn thing. My belief that I think I see a gun is not enough for me to force an encounter for a fishing expedition. Between phones and medical devices, there are a hell of a lot of things on people's belts. Also, I often look nothing like a cop when out and about, but I'm always carrying.

Would I keep an eagle on him? Absolutely.

Thanks.

[Kestryll]

Really ? Sound like stupid thing .... ... OR TO SAY.

It was.

[CBR_rider]

I only ever begrudgingly set foot in coffee establishments on duty if my partner is one of those people addicted to caffeine, for the the sake of your question I will go along with this. Assuming this is like most Starbucks, he will not be handed his order right away. After having already discussed with my partner (and him/her agreeing that it looks like a gun), I would have my partner watch him while I go to to the barrista.

I would ask for something (water, whatever) and then ask her something like "Hey, who is that guy that just ordered ahead of me? He looks familiar. Does he come here often?" If she replies in the affirmative and says something like "Oh yeah, thats Bob and he always drops by after closing up his store" I would just watch him and be done with it. If she instead replied something like "I've only seen him once before and he just sat in the corner and didn't order anything. Tonight he seemed really nervous and when I asked what he wanted he stumbled over his words" I would seriously consider contacting him when he left the store.

A far as looking/not looking like an LEO, upstanding citizen, or whatever, that would only play a small role in whether or not I contact him. Many robbers and other "bad guys" don't look all that different from "good guys."

Unlike what at least one individual has posted on this thread already, we only need reasonable suspicion for the stop. That being said, based simply on the facts you stated above (absolutely no other info/action taken before a stop on your or the possible CCW'ers part) I wouldn't detain him. Like Eric B said, watch and wait.

[ap3572001]

Am I correct in saying your job is to enforce the law? You are making an uninformed assumption that a potential CCW'er is breaking a law. Why would you pose the question? Do you feel CCW'ers are criminals? Your thoughts and feelings must remain an assumption until a law is broken. Since when is "printing" a crime? I can't help but to see this thread is of the same opinion of all the anti's. That opinion is that anyone with a gun "must" be a criminal. It sucks and I know you wished you could do more but you can't prevent a crime until a crime is committed. It is called Law Enforcement, after all. Now, he enters a starbucks with an AR on his back....ok.

WOW!

Ok. We have some major problems here my friend....

1).My question was for other LEO's.

(Unless You are an LEO , You and Your partner DO NOT go to Starbucks after starting day watch partol LOL

2).I NEVER said that I think that everyone who carries a handun is breaking the law.

( I carry a handgun all the time and do not break the law)

3). I am very well aware that people who carry handguns with a CCW are not criminals ( I hope not)

4). I never said that "printing" was a crime. But "printing" CAN and WILL get You some attention.

[Mullins]

I am NOT a LEO

My opinion would be like many others here to wait and watch.

The question you should ask yourself OP is how would you like another LEO or even a non LEO to handle the situation if the person with the "bulge" was you?

[ap3572001]

I am NOT a LEO

My opinion would be like many others here to wait and watch.

The question you should ask yourself OP is how would you like another LEO or even a non LEO to handle the situation if the person with the "bulge" was you?

You got it !!!! LOL

That person WAS me . Off duty.

One of the officers asked me how was my morning . I said It was great , but that I was running late for work.

I told Him to be safe and went to my car.
I realised that my Glock was printing . A LOT.

I will never find out if He asked me how I am doing because He saw my gun.....

[taperxz]

Thanks for the scenario AP. Newly carrying makes me wonder how LE view "mistakes" like printing. I'm sure everyone has there own way though.