I’m not sure I would blame it on the “Bill of Rights”.
Not to digress too much and Jared please correct me if I’m wrong. Is there not a fine line in the absence of probable cause to lawfully stop an individual depending on the circumstances, irregardless of whether they have a firearm visible in an open carry state or unarmed? A visible firearm should not be a factor; in less of course open carry is illegal in that state or there is a valid reason/concern. Carrying a firearm in an open carry state is not a valid reason for a stop.
I’m specifically talking about two law enforcement tools. A voluntary stop (consensual encounter), which doesn’t require reasonable suspicion or probable cause as long as a reasonable person would feel free to leave or decline to speak with the LEO. Basically there are no facts a LEO can use to explain or justify his or her feelings that criminal activity is afoot (just a hunch – mere suspicion). One does not have to answer questions or show ID during a voluntary stop. Everything is strictly voluntary.
Secondly, investigatory detention (
Terry stop), which is articulable facts that would lead a reasonable LEO to conclude that criminal activity is afoot…more than an unsupported hunch but less than probable cause. In this case, the LEO can stop a suspect and investigate that person for a reasonable period of time, even though it’s not a formal arrest, it is considered a seizure, and the individual is not free to leave. If during the stop, probable cause to arrest is developed, the suspect will be arrested; otherwise they will be released. And there are many factors that determine a lawful
Terry stop. Not saying this situation is a valid reason, just stating there are many lawful factors. A
Terry stop can also lead to a
Terry frisk. My point is I believe there are effective law enforcement tools that ‘good’ officers/agents can utilize when circumstances warrant their use.
I think for the purposes of this discussion, the problem arises when consensual encounters lead to investigatory detention, compounded by the fact that some LEO are corrupt to begin with. So, it may be in ones best interest to avoid a consensual encounter to begin with as Jared has kinda hinted at. It does make good sense when you factor in dirty cops.
However, IMO law abiding citizens should not immediately get defensive when a LEO asks a question during a voluntary stop…just listen to what they are saying; giving them a chance to explain why they have stopped you, which may actually be a good reason. I believe most legal experts would probably advise people to be polite and ask ‘Am I free to go?’ If they say yes, then leave…probably mostly because the dirty cop issue but it’s an individual’s choice. Not every law enforcement stop is intended to end in arrest, and there are often times when police interactions by ‘good’ LEOs may just be casual and attempting to deter criminal activity in a specific area or other valid reasons. JMHO