Hamans-gallows
Regular Member
To the Pueblo County Sheriff Department RE: complaint
[Personal info redacted]
Invoved employees: Deputy [redacted] and three other officers.
Date of incident: 01-20-15
Time of incident 10:00 AM
Details of allegation:
I was waiting for my fiancée while she was [redacted] at the [location redacted] near Purcell and Hwy 50 in Pueblo West. I decided to take a walk while I was waiting. I was openly carrying a handgun as is my custom. I walked toward Purcell but was getting cold, so I returned to the car to put on an additional layer of clothing. I then walked over to the Loaf and Jug on Purcell when I heard a voice behind me saying "Hold it right there, put up your hands." which I did and then turned around.
I was soon surrounded by four deputies and contacted by deputy [redacted.] Deputy [redacted] asked me if he could remove my handgun from its holster to check and see if it was loaded. I told him that no, I didn't want him to do that, and that it was indeed loaded. He did not push the issue. I asked Deputy [redacted] if I was suspected of being involved in some sort of crime, and he said "No." I calmly and politely asked if I was being detained and he said that I was not, so I said "I would like to be on my way." Deputy redacted] told me that I may not leave. I will say that he was polite and calm throughout the entire encounter, and I appreciate that. Deputy [redacted] asked me for ID, and I politely said that I am not required to show ID if I am not suspected of a crime and again asked to be on my way. I told the deputies what I was doing, and why I was out walking around. They insisted that I provide ID to "Be sure that I wasn't a felon." I eventually relented and provided my driver's license and concealed handgun permit.
After they checked me for warrants and criminal history they allowed me to leave.
I will say that they never acted rude or hostile to me, and I do appreciate that, however, I would ask you to make your deputies aware that merely carrying a handgun is not grounds to detain someone and intimidate them into showing ID. If Deputy [redacted] had a reasonable suspicion that I had, was committing, or was about to commit a crime he would have lawful authority to detain and ID me.
I was happy to tell them why I was out walking around, but the conversation became non-consensual when I twice asked if I could be on my way, and they did not allow me to leave.
Thank you for your consideration of this complaint. I am not asking that anyone be disciplined, but that deputies be made aware that they must have RAS in order to detain and ID someone against their will.
I will add that I have been openly carrying a handgun regularly for almost three years, mostly in Colorado Springs, and at times in other areas of Colorado and Kansas, and have never had any police question me. I have on rare occasions had an officer drive by and look me over, but in each case I smiled and waved at them and they waved back.
[Personal info redacted]
Invoved employees: Deputy [redacted] and three other officers.
Date of incident: 01-20-15
Time of incident 10:00 AM
Details of allegation:
I was waiting for my fiancée while she was [redacted] at the [location redacted] near Purcell and Hwy 50 in Pueblo West. I decided to take a walk while I was waiting. I was openly carrying a handgun as is my custom. I walked toward Purcell but was getting cold, so I returned to the car to put on an additional layer of clothing. I then walked over to the Loaf and Jug on Purcell when I heard a voice behind me saying "Hold it right there, put up your hands." which I did and then turned around.
I was soon surrounded by four deputies and contacted by deputy [redacted.] Deputy [redacted] asked me if he could remove my handgun from its holster to check and see if it was loaded. I told him that no, I didn't want him to do that, and that it was indeed loaded. He did not push the issue. I asked Deputy [redacted] if I was suspected of being involved in some sort of crime, and he said "No." I calmly and politely asked if I was being detained and he said that I was not, so I said "I would like to be on my way." Deputy redacted] told me that I may not leave. I will say that he was polite and calm throughout the entire encounter, and I appreciate that. Deputy [redacted] asked me for ID, and I politely said that I am not required to show ID if I am not suspected of a crime and again asked to be on my way. I told the deputies what I was doing, and why I was out walking around. They insisted that I provide ID to "Be sure that I wasn't a felon." I eventually relented and provided my driver's license and concealed handgun permit.
After they checked me for warrants and criminal history they allowed me to leave.
I will say that they never acted rude or hostile to me, and I do appreciate that, however, I would ask you to make your deputies aware that merely carrying a handgun is not grounds to detain someone and intimidate them into showing ID. If Deputy [redacted] had a reasonable suspicion that I had, was committing, or was about to commit a crime he would have lawful authority to detain and ID me.
I was happy to tell them why I was out walking around, but the conversation became non-consensual when I twice asked if I could be on my way, and they did not allow me to leave.
Thank you for your consideration of this complaint. I am not asking that anyone be disciplined, but that deputies be made aware that they must have RAS in order to detain and ID someone against their will.
I will add that I have been openly carrying a handgun regularly for almost three years, mostly in Colorado Springs, and at times in other areas of Colorado and Kansas, and have never had any police question me. I have on rare occasions had an officer drive by and look me over, but in each case I smiled and waved at them and they waved back.