Joe,
OK you're gonna love this one. Our 19 year old son was in the WaWa store in Salisbury yesterday evening. He wears a straight blade knife in a sheath on the outside of his clothing. It is worn like this so that he will be in compliance with the law. If it were covered it would be considered a concealed deadly weapon. While in the store he noticed two SPD officers. Our son had nothing to hide. He was waiting for his food. He noticed one of the officers look right at the knife he was wearing on his side. When our son walked out of the store and got into his car he was approached by one of the Officers known as "Iggy". The officer told him that he couldn't carry the knife outside his clothing like that. When our son asked him why, the officer stated that it might offend or frighten someone.
Here's the best part.....The officer then told him he would have to cover it up! What?!?! Cover it up?!?! This officer had just instructed a law abiding citizen to .....BREAK THE LAW! That's right! He instructed a citizen who had broken no law by having the knife out in the open to conceal it thereby committing a crime! It was obvious that there was no intent by our son to injure anyone as he was right at the counter waiting for his food to be finished. Therefore NO VIOLATION!
Our son drove away in awe! You see he has friends in law enforcement and family members with previous law enforcement experience. He was told specifically what the law was and KNEW he wasn't breaking it. I wonder if this officer knows that there is no law prohibiting a law abiding citizen from carrying a long gun (rifle or shotgun) slung on your shoulder down the street. Would he arrest someone for that?
I was amazed! Iggy. A word of advice. Check your weapons laws. Discuss them openly with your squad and become familiar with them. Then check the 2nd amendment. If there is no law prohibiting an action then there can be no violation.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
40 comments:
you have too much time on your hands
First of all I highly doubt he said you "couldn't" wear the knife like that, I am sure it was more like you "shouldn't"... but as a citizen, it would freak me out to see a kid wearing a knife like that. And if Iggy though it was against the law to wear it on the outside, he would have arrested him. It was completely harmless for Iggy to tell him he shouldn't wear the knife on the outside.
another dopey cop
What if the wrong person sees that knife and has a better weapon.. like a gun? Your son's knife can't stop a bullet. Thank you Iggy for looking out for the kids best interest!
In MD, he probably could've been charged with disorderly conduct...that's how draconian the 2A laws are in the free state.
Screw you wet pants liberals. I still think we all should be able to wear guns if you don't have any previous violent crime arrests. He has the right and wasn't acting in a treating manner. I will wear my knife anytime I want and do so on the days I go fishing of which I go into stores to get supplies with it on.
10:52..WELL SAID!! I was devastated to read the first few replies. Oh my, what if someone saw him wearing the knife and they were startled....gee that would be too bad wouldn't it? One less dumbass liberal. Wake up people!! Maryland is the 47th worst state in the country for crime. The day is coming when you goofs will wish you were carrying something to defend yourself.
he couldve easily left it in the car. what need would a 19-yo need for a straight edge knife after hunting seasons are over?
thank you mr iggy!
I am NOT a liberal and I for one would be freaked out if I saw someone wearing a knife. It is a scary world and maybe I am overly cautious, but I don't want to see any weapons while out in public.
Poor puddin wearin' his knife so he can look like a big boy..aww how cute. Too bad his mommy got on a very notable public blog to defend him, guess he isn't such a tough guy after all. Way to go mommy!
Why was he wearing a straight blade knife? Does he need it for his job? Just curious.
However, a few years ago, my brother had a large bowie knife in a sheath behind the seat of his truck hunting season (the rifle was on a rack). He was stopped for a minor traffic violation. The told the officer about the knife in the backseat (better safe than sorry - not as a threat), and was arrested for a weapon violation which was later dismissed.
I've worn my knife every day everywhere for 45 years in the 5 states I have lived in. It's a tool that I use many times a day. It's on my belt even when I go to church! I will continue to wear it whenever I want, and nobody has ever complained except the airlines and the courthouse. In my opinion, I should be allowed to wear it there as well.
Watch out, America, THINK before you entertain any notion that this is a "bad thing".
Something doesn't add up here. Who walks around wearing a knife on their leg? I'm not saying he shouldn't have the right to do so, but it's common sense that you're asking for trouble if you do. Plus, you just look like a whacko.
I hate to tell you all in here but the knife and gun you need to worry about is the one you don't see. You don't know what this kids does for a living and also could be a farm kid.
If you can't carry a handgun in this state what's wrong with this kid carrying a knife? Props to him.
If I went into that WaWa i would carry a knife too!!
More legal guns = less crime it's a proven fact !
Let me just say that I'm all for concealed carry permits for law abiding citizens- and I don't have a problem with knives either (and I'm a liberal- but in a lot of ways that relates back to my pro-choice stance). And I know that hunting is big around here (lived here all my life.
That being said, if I saw anyone, especially a 19 year old, wearing a knife on their body in the manner described, doing a mundane task, I'd be a little creeped out. It would make me wonder if that person is some creepy serial killer stalker type person. Or if it's the symptom of a person with low self-esteem or a look at me type of personality, or an intimidation factor- which could cause problems. Or that the person has a fetish about carving people/stuff up.
Not rational, I know, and maybe I need to take a break from Law and Order and Criminal Minds and Patterson and Cornwell (and Sanford too)- except there isn't anything else to watch or read these days that is worth my time.
I guess to each his own, though. But I wouldn't want my daughter to date someone like this :)
If "Iggy" thought your son was in some sort of violation of the law... wouldn't he have arrested/ticketed him or something... Lord, I would hope so!
11:53.. maybe I'm not reading the comments the way you are, but I don't see where anyone states wearing the knife is the issue. It was how he was wearing it that can be taken in a threatening manner. Although your typical criminal would conceal a weapon, it doesn't mean that anyone that has a weapon out in the open is not a threat. How do I know how quick he would be to grab that knife and committ a crime?
I bet carrying the knife makes him feel tough. Freud would have a good explanation for that.
The only purpose of the writer here is to bash another SPD Officer. I am personally happy that the Officer noticed such a thing and made an observation to the "kid". It is this petty lack of backing and snot nosed comments that really effect morale to all the Officers in that leaderless agency. Your stupid transparent post will do nothing to help the people the police are paid to protect. You are doing more damage to the City by making yet another Officer to not want to go beyond his basic duties because of petty public criticism. I think they get enough of that from from the third floor. I pray that you don't get robbed at knife point on one of the Officers furlow days.
Another question? Why does one find it necessary to bring up another issue with the Sheriffs Office on a post that has nothing to do with the subject matter? Go lobby somewhere else please.
First of all the police officer was right in asking him to stow the knife or leave with it and take it home (which is probably what happened). The police officer did not arrest the MAN so, that is a moot point.
Any fool walking around with a sheath knife strapped to his side with no reason to carry it other than to look tough, is an idiot and wishes to attract that attention. Clearly, he was not wearing it for any other purpose than just to wear it.
Also, the MAN is 19 years old, why is it that his mother has to write a letter for him to a blog but not identify him in the letter or herself but makes it a point to name the police officer's nick name in order to attempt to make him look bad is this forum.
So, to get to the crux of the matter, you were offended that the police officer would DARE say something to your kid who can do no wrong. A word of advice, don't send your fool kid out in the world, give him poor advice, and then act offended when someone challanges your kid's intentions.
Lastly, any convience store clerk, as other people mentioned would be in reasonable fear just like if someone walked into the store with a shotgun stapped to their back. It's plainly a stupid idea. Any police officer has the right and duty to challange anyone, which is reasonable articuable suspicion, they feel may represent a threat to the general public including those who walk around with knives or shotguns while ordering a sub (or whatever) at wawa. Stupid.
The officer in question had no right at all to approach someone who was violating no law and chastise him for exercising his second amendment right. The officer instructed the boy to cover it up which would make him a criminal. The person carrying the knife was not in violation of any law. If anyone was offended - tough sh*t. He was within his rights. It doesn't matter why he was carrying the knife. It doesn't appear there was any intent to injure anyone else - no crime. Self defense is as good a reason as any. If a thug attacked me with a knife I would rather have a knife as well rather than go bare handed.
11:20 Mr. Iggy doesn't get to make up the laws to suit himself as he goes along. I carry a knife everywhere I go. I have that right so I do it. Mr. Iggy does NOT have the right to challenge my decision to carry it unless the law gives him the authority to do so. It does not.
Get a box cutter, its way more efficient.
Mother's of America. Wow, keep on crying...
thank you, 4:24. I am sick of petty, arrogant cops.
I hate pocs
What about petty complaints of cops by nit pickers like the woman who posted this? Back off and maybe stand up WITH the police than waste your time looking for meaningless complaints?
4:24 Put "self defense" on your pistol carry appication and see if it's a good enough reason. You will find out quikly it is not a legitamate arguement to carry a weapon. The 19 year old in question wanted attention and got it. Sorry to the snotty mother who couldn't see through this like the rest of us. Off duty police officers do not even display their weapons because of the trouble and risk it could draw, not only to themselves, but those innocent people arround them. Anyone who has been around the most violent criminals knows what that a teenager showing off a weapon has a target bigger than his ego.
A knife in a sheath? Seriously moronic to me. I guess a folding pocket knife clipped to his pocket wasn't compensating enough for his littleman syndrome?
Petty? Would any one of you who are opposed to what Iggy did complain if he stopped a thug wearing the same knife the same way? Probably not...But how do you know, just because of the way a kid is dressed or talks or what he/she is doing what their intentions are? You don't! You are all the same people who I am sure complain about the crime in Salisbury... you are all the same people who would complain the cops are not doing their jobs when this kid gets shot for trying to look like a tough guy!
The writer of this says she has law enforcement in the family... I am pretty sure any GOOD LEO would not tell their relative to brandish a weapon on them when going to order a sub. It's common sense. Your son walks into my store with a weapon strapped to him like that I would be on the phone so fast with the PD... it could have been a lot worse!
Quit gripping and have a head on your shoulders... Thank you Iggy for looking out for potentially dangerous beings, and thank you for recommending he keep that off his person!
2:10 Not so amazing considering the deputies chose pay parity with MSP rather than thinking about retirement benefits. The Fruitland and Salisbury officers do not have pay parity with the MSP. Thats a big difference in pay the deputies have been receiving for quite some time compared to the Salisbury officers pay. Maybe the WCSO will be willing to reduce their pay equivalent to the Salisbury Police Dept pay scale and perhaps then they could attain entry into LEOPS.
That would be fair don't you think??
It doesn't matter what anybody thinks about it if it's legal. If he wasn't breaking any law what's the big deal? Leave the kid alone. These people arguing against the person carrying the knife are the same people who believe that we have our rights being watered down and taken away. The law is the law. Remember the law. It used to be something everyone had to obey. Even the police.
Since when is it against the law for a cop to make a recommendation to the kid, for his safety and the safety of others?
Wimps. All of you saying...Oh I would be freaked out if I saw someone with a big knife! *gasp*. Geez. Get over yourselves.
I always carried a pocket knife when I went out when I was younger. My parents always told me to be prepared and watch your surroundings. Even if I was just going to the store. There are some crazy, psycho and mentally ill people out there who want to kill people.
Next time something happens like a crazy person shooting up a public place, don't say...why didn't somebody stop them? Especially if you are saying this kid is doing something wrong by having something to protect himself.
Just be aware of your surroundings and stop being so closed minded.
BAZINGA!
Peace love and happiness Y'all!
Maryland law on carrying weapons, excluding handguns since there is a complete section in the criminal code pertaining to the carrying handguns, is pretty clear. Unless the knife or weapon is one of the clearly enumerated weapons prohibited by the section, a knife can be worn, openly or concealed. The problem becomes when the knife of other legal object, like a baseball bat, is being carried with the intent to do specific harm. Example is, if you're walking down the street carrying a baseball bat, no problem. If you're at a store or gas station and someone is giving you a hard time and you reach in your vehicle and grabbed a baseball bat to use as a weapon, then you can be charged for carrying a weapon with the intent to do bodily harm.
http://knife-expert.com/md.txt
WAWA, like any other private establishment, although open to the general public can limit who enters their business and can ask persons not to enter or to leave.It does not matter if they are breaking the law or not. The reason why WAWA along with other places welcome police officers is so that they gain enhanced security which is exactly what occured.
Much of policing is stopping a crime from occuring prior to it occuring as a deturance.
Lets site another example... Let's say this lady does not have any "no tresspassing" signs in place on her property. If some drunk fool ended up on this lady's doorstep at 2:00 AM and passed out (not acting disorderly) on the front stairs, no doubt she would call the police. She would expect the police to take action to remove the person from her property because this person makes her feel unsafe or uncomfortable and rightfully so. Although, the person is not expressly breaking any laws and has committed NO CRIME, correct? And the police would handle the situation much as expected. What if the cops told this lady, "Hey sorry, no law is being broken here. Have a good day" and left? Then the guy regained conciousness and broke into the house. Then the police respond back and arrest the suspect. Well, obviously the secondary situation could have been avoided by proactive policing to remove the person the first time.
Good job to the police officer. Ignore the people here that are condeming the job that you did. You are a credit to the profession.
2:10 a.m Hmmmm get off the city computer and get back to work. First of all get your facts in order. The Sheriff's Office is no where close to parity with the State Police. Well some are but the majority do not have it. Well when the 7% raise across the board came out some got 18% some got 1.4 %. Dont ask me ask the Sheriff's office who knows why this happend. So they do not have the same payt structure. Only the new guys are making out. The Sheriff is mot taking care of seniority at all. Sorry but true. The new guys are fat.
So I guess the simple answer is NO keep the pay give them LEOPS there is over a 24 month funded liability in the system now for Leops. For you mental midgets you dont pay for two years. It is a no brainer. Sorry didnt mean to let that fact out that has been kept from the public.
Maybe do away with the two at large council members, Fire the crooks still at the landfill. Dont build a new libray or by a parking lot. You dont hear crying over all the furlough days they got. Did the Council get furloughed ?
Deal with it. Stop crying and do what you should have done years ago.
12:09 I don't quite understand your example. The kid with the knife was not breaking any law. For the cop to say anything to him demostrates that the cop is unfamiliar with the criminal code. The cop isn't an employee or an agent of WaWa. If WaWa doesn't want someone in their store or to leave their store, an employee of that store must notifiy that customer to leave. A police officer has not standing to tell someone to leave someone else's property. A police officer can only arrest for trespassing if he witnesses a person being asked to leave the property by an authorized agent of that property and the person refuses to leave. The cop can arrest because he witnessed a crime (trespassing) occurring in his presence. On private property posted with no trespassing signs, the law is clear the property owner is the person that must obtain charging documents against the person(s) trespassing. The bottomline, this person carrying the knife wasn't breaking any law having the knife in its sheath and wearing it in plain view, just as he wouldn't have been breaking any law wearing the knife in its sheath concealed. Now I'm beginning to understand why the state's attorney's office has to nol pros and stet all those cases. The cops down here don't know or understand the elements that constitute a crime.
2:59... you are taking this far too seriously, as is the author of this post! NO ONE WAS ARRESTED OR CHARGED WITH A CRIME! Why is it a crime for the officer to tell him wearing it like he was is not a good idea!
It doesn't matter reguardless. There is no law limiting a police officer from approching anyone and speaking to them about anything... including carring a knife, if he is in violation of the law or not. I fully understand the elements of the crime in question. Just like on a traffic stop where the officer may not know or have RAS to determine if there is a weapon within a vehicle the officer has every right to ask the driver and passengers if there are weapons are contraband within the vehicle. There is no law limiting approching people to develop RAS or probable cause. Neither is required to have a conversation with someone.
It's not a question if the person is committing a crime or not. Clearly he is not however, there is nothing limiting the police officer from giving friendly advice, similar to on domestic calls when people are asked to "take a walk" from their home in their best interests.
There is no second ammendment right extended to knives. Second amendment extends to firearms however the state can limit the freedom of persons to carry firearms by imposing a permit to carry requirement which has been held consitutional.
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