Prince William County Police Get it Right (OC)

[bobjames]

So there I was . . .

Wednesday night, about 2130, I stopped at a Burger King at Nokesville Road (Rte 28) and Pennsylvania Avenue in Prince William County. I was open carrying, as is my wont. I have entered Burger Kings and other fast food joints countless times all over the area without incident. Tonight was different, dear readers, but not unpleasantly so.

The bored but affable young lady at the counter took my order, no problem. But the manager, a flinty-eyed woman with a sour expression on her face, was surveying me with ill-concealed hostility. She spoke as I retrieved my order and asked with some beligerence: "Let me ask you a question. Are you a police officer?"

I smiled, and answered "No, ma'am, I am not." I paused for the anticipated follow-up question, but none was forthcoming; the manager's expression just got darker, so I said nothing more and sat down to eat.

Five minutes later, I saw the PWCP car roll up, headlights off, and two officers enter the store. Here's the kicker. They never looked askance at me, never asked me my name or business or why I thought I needed a gun, or any of that nonsense. They didn't disarm me, prone me out on the floor, or call me nasty names. Instead, both officers went straight to the manager, who had once again returned to the front counter to beckon them.

I could hear the manager hissing about the man with a gun, and one officer asking, "Did he threaten anyone? Was he waving it around?" Finally, he explained that my behavior was perfectly legal in Virginia. Neither officer contacted me, or even so much as walked around the tile barrier to see whether or what I was carrying. End of story.

As it should be.

Kudos to the Prince William County Police officers who handled this call with consummate professionalism and class.

Bob James
Centreville

[OakRidgeStars]

Thanks for sharing that story, Bob. I think that would make a nice addition to an upcoming VCDL VA-ALERT. I have sent a PM with the email if you would like to submit it.

[coltman]

Well, that's one BK that won't be tolerating my presence, kudos to PWCPD.

[zephyp]

Good deal and even better to know they are on the ball and do know the laws they are supposed to be enforcing...

[ynoty3k]

Wow, good story, I'm always weary of LEO's who don't know the laws. I always come back to that story about 2 college students in Reston Town center in FFX who were jailed for OC. FCPD was || that close to being bankrupt.

Glad to hear that OC is becoming more commonplace so the LEO's know the best way to handle it.