I didnt have time to read all 3 pages of comments on this but I did read the first one so Im gonna add my 2cents and this is coming from someone who DOES fight the law and WINS!!(I even had one terminated from the sheriffs dept) Just b/c they have a badge it doesnt give them the right to not respect your rights,but if you dont know your rights they will walk all over you!
First of all you do not have to allow them to search your vehicle!They will tell you that they can search anything within arms reach blah blah blah!IF your vehicle is open and they find something within "arms reach" it can be used in court and not thrown out b/c the vehicles door was open.The best thing you can do when they ask you to step out is to lock the door behind you!!If there is no probable cause then they have no right!Probable cause does no mean b/c he has a suspision!As far as weapons are concerned as long as you are not a felon you can have any kind of gun you would like in your vehicle and no it does not have to be in plain sight! Your vehicle is an extension of your home.
When I was younger some of these local cops thought they could harass me b/c I was always out at all hours of the night.(froggin,runnin trot lines,etc.)I have never done drugs but yet they felt like they could stop me and just search whenever they wanted.After the second time I got tired of it and learned my rights and have not had a problem since! When I was 18 I had one ask why I needed a gun in my truck.Then he proceeded to make up some bs about it not bein legal to ride around with a pistol.I guess sometimes some rookie cops may not know any better but I believe that they try and spill this crap on people who are just to dumb to know or find out the truth!!
Now I walk around and open carry and the same cops who tried to tell me I couldnt stay clear of me.Some of you will ask why I do it and its really simple...b/c ITS MY RIGHT and a right not excercised it a right lost!!
As far as the cop "stealing your knife",I think he just forgot to give it back.Contact them and Im sure you will get it.I had one forget to give my license back and I saw him in Academy the next day,he was extremely corteous and sorry and told me to follow him out to his car to get it.
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