Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 15:05:14 -0700
From: jdmckim@PRIMENET.COM ("J.D. McKim")
Subject: My Library Trip Today
To: AZRKBA@asu.edu
This is my first post to this list. Thanks to Rick DeStephens for letting
me know of its existence. I was unaware of Saturday's gathering, and also
unaware of Glendale's weapons policy. Those signs are small.
I just got back from the downtown Glendale library. I have never read
_Unintended Consequences_, so I strapped on an exposed 1911 and headed to
the library to see if they have it (they don't). I carried my Officer's
ACP, as I didn't want an ignorant cop to wreck the trigger on my Gold Cup
by dropping the slide.
I walked up to the main entrance and waved at the librarian through the
door. She came to the door with a smile which turned to a grimace when I
told her I was carrying a pistol and needed the police to come check it per
the sign out front. She said she would call the police.
I waited out front for ~10 minutes, then a cop sneaked around the front of
the building and, with his hand on his holstered pistol, told me to hold my
hands out to my sides. I did, and told him I was the one who requested
they come check my weapon. He came around beside me and removed my pistol
from the holster and then patted me down. Legal Q: is voluntarily checking
a weapon legal grounds for a Terry search? When he cleared my pistol he
dropped a Hydrashok on the concrete. Thank you, officer.
Three officers showed up for this call. Several people across the street
outside of Bitzee Mama's gathered in a small crowd, wondering what was
going on. The cops weren't rude, but they were condescending. I was asked
why I brought a gun to the library, and why I didn't secure it in my
vehicle. I told them I wanted a receipt for my pistol, magazine and
ammunition -- kind of had to remind them to give me one. They walked me
across the street to a police car, requested my driver's license (which I
gave them), and they wrote me a receipt. Hey, the call even got a report
number! I might go look it up. One can get copies of police reports for a
fee.
Well, it didn't take long to find out the library didn't have the book I
wanted. When I left, the cops were huddled around a squad car shooting the
breeze (or conspiring how to get rid of pesky gunnies). I told them I was
through at the library, and I asked for my pistol. I signed for it, and
they returned it.
We need more armed library patrons. If Glendale insists on having this
asinine policy, let's use it regularly. With enough people checking
firearms, the PD will get tired of the policy and recommend the council
change it.
One note: The downtown Glendale library, Velma Teague, is located in
Murphy Park. I didn't see any signs prohibiting weapons in the park, but
take note that HB 2095 allows cities to limit carry in small parks to CCW
holders only. I have a CCW permit.
Anyone want to start a Glendale book club?
J.D. McKim