I didn't know where to post this, so i decided to post this her since all of the airsoft stories are here. If its not in the right spot then please move it.
I was driving last night, minding my own buisiness, going to pick up my wife from work. when i saw red and blue flashing in my mirror, i was pulled over! and guess what i had in the trunk of my car? Yeah my airsoft gun. Apparently i was pulled over because my tail light was out. After talking with the officer he asked the usual questions. license, registration and proof of interest. the usual procedure, As he's filling out paperwork, i start to get nervous knowing that i have my gun in the trunk. and that there could be a really bad misunderstanding.
Finally he looks up and asks me why am i so nervous, do i have anything in the car that he should know about, I stuttered for a little bit, noticing the expert pistol marksman pin on his uniform. I blurted out nervously "I have an airsoft gun in the trunk, It looks like a real gun but its only and airsoft gun!!!"
He asks if i would open the trunk. and of course I open my trunk. I sit in the vehicle and wait for him. i can see his flashlight searching the trunk. I'm sitting there getting more and more nervous by the second. then he closes the trunk. walks to my window. and says that he had a mind to take my gun, That i shouldn't have that in the trunk of my car. He says he will let me off with a warning on the tail light this time. And he doesnt' ever want to see me with a gun in my trunk, even if its an airsoft gun.
I got really lucky. i think that could have had to potential to be a very bad situation.
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ChAoS
Killing the enemy with superior firepower, profanity, and crude humor.
(I've got COD4 and Far Cry 2 and my XBL name is ChAoS1084. just in case anyone wanted to play)
Yeah but atleast he didn't get in serious trouble and that just goes to show don't always expect the worst, unless you're held hostage by some serial killer with an AK
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ZOOT SUIT RIOT! RIOT! Throw back a bottle of beer!
There words pierce deeper than our arrows! Than we'll just have to use guns!
It pains me to say it, but that cop can piss off. You weren't doing anything wrong, even if the gun wasn't in a case (which it should be).
Even if it were a real gun, you would be 100% within your rights to have it in your trunk. As long as it's unloaded and inaccessible to the passenger compartment, you aren't doing anything wrong. Period. It's the difference between "carrying" and "transporting".
That said, always transport your guns, real and airsoft, unloaded (mags out) and in a case in your trunk.
yes i did have it in the box, i think that probably de-escalated the situation. I did paint the the orange barrel painted black so of course my Ak-74 looked real, I'm just glad it didn't get out of hand, because that cop could have blown it it way out of proportion.
Of course i always get nervous when the cops pull me over. the cops and I don't have the best history.
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ChAoS
Killing the enemy with superior firepower, profanity, and crude humor.
(I've got COD4 and Far Cry 2 and my XBL name is ChAoS1084. just in case anyone wanted to play)
No, he really couldn't. You did exactly what you were supposed to do. You are supposed to transport them in your trunk, you are supposed to tell him when he asks, and the painted tip only matters if you are crossing state lines, or so the rumor goes. That part does get fuzzy but suffice to say, cop didn't know what he was talking about. I suggest you call the department he works for & asks them to inform their officers so they don't create a situation out of something that shouldn't be one. The absolute LAST thing anyone wants is an under-informed officer creating a crisis out of a routine stop.
__________________ "But you say that you want to go back to this place, Earth, a place that you tell me has so much disease and suffering!?"
"Well, you guys don't have chocolate..."
It pains me to say it, but that cop can piss off. You weren't doing anything wrong, even if the gun wasn't in a case (which it should be).
Even if it were a real gun, you would be 100% within your rights to have it in your trunk. As long as it's unloaded and inaccessible to the passenger compartment, you aren't doing anything wrong. Period. It's the difference between "carrying" and "transporting".
That said, always transport your guns, real and airsoft, unloaded (mags out) and in a case in your trunk.
YUP!
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In combat you lose even when you win.
Ok, here is something to live by, and I say it over and over at work. Dont volunteer information, ever. Was the trunk locked during this situation? If so you could have simply responded with a "No" when the officer asked you if there was a problem. Without a warrant a Police Officer may not search any parts of your vehicle that are locked. Granted, the busted tail light could have given the officer probable cause and cited you under another offense, but most wont do this if you are cooperative during a TS.
The LEO most likely said what he did just to give you a spook. I do that a lot at work just to make it stick that TS's are no laughing matter.
__________________ Just saw a man jogging. For recreation. At 3am. Who's he training to be, batman?
Life is a pop quiz, you never know when the test will occur, it's like we are all sitting in the game show audience of life, we should always be ready to hear "You are the next contestant for 'The **** has Hit the Fan!'"
"Dont suffer from PTSD, go out and cause it." -ID Basic Patrol Academy #156
It is true that legally you didn't have to say anything about something in your locked trunk, also, there shouldn't be anything illegal about carrying a gun in your trunk, especially if it is unloaded and in its box. However, you were under 18, it might be illegal for you to own the gun at all,I know it is illegal in my area to own a bb gun if you're under 18, I'm not sure about yours.
/just a thought
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Armchair general; electronic gunman; I'll fight you, but I'm not getting up! Foxhound Airsoft
Its ok to transport in the trunk, even a real firearm there was no reason to be nervous..now if it was in your passenger seat or back seat thats something you out to tell the officer right away because he WILL see it (ever notice officers sometimes look in your car when they are walking up and at night they do the same thing with a flashlight?). Also, a bit of information officers can not search your trunk (or glove box) unless you give them permission, or they have to get a warrent, or search under "probable cause"
Edit: Never mind. Im not going to go into basic officer safety on a TS.
__________________ Just saw a man jogging. For recreation. At 3am. Who's he training to be, batman?
Life is a pop quiz, you never know when the test will occur, it's like we are all sitting in the game show audience of life, we should always be ready to hear "You are the next contestant for 'The **** has Hit the Fan!'"
"Dont suffer from PTSD, go out and cause it." -ID Basic Patrol Academy #156
Last edited by Light-Fighter : 06-22-2008 at 06:16 PM.
