BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT — An open-carry gun owner who recorded video of police confronting him inside a Connecticut Subway store on Tuesday later posted the clip online in an incident that is sure to spark debate.
The video opens with the gun owner being repeatedly asked by one officer to show his permit. The gun owner politely declines each request, saying he is acting in accordance with the law, while insisting he only wants to buy a sandwich.
Eventually, the officer's superior enters the restaurant and tells the man they have received a complaint. While they continue to argue the technicalities of the state's gun laws a third officer arrives on the scene.
The store owner then tells the gun owner he is refusing to serve the man, who reluctantly leaves the store. He then tells the officers he is going to Dunkin Donuts before calling them "dickheads."
A second video posted to LiveLeak shows the gun owner and the third policemen arguing in a different location.
During the conversation, the police officer admits that although he cannot order him to put his gun away and cannot order him to present your permit, but a business owner who is uncomfortable with him being in the store has the option to refuse his business.
The gun owner then accuses the cop of harassing people for not breaking the law and asks him to go and find some real criminals.
According to an article in the New Haven Register it is legal to carry a firearm in public view in Connecticut, although with a few caveats.
In the article state police Lt. J. Paul Vance says, "If you have a permit to carry, you can carry a handgun on your person as long as it doesn't cause annoyance or alarm."
While state police training bulletin no. 2013-01 says there is no statute which makes it illegal for someone with a valid pistol permit to openly carry unless it creates a 'breach of peace.'
Local open carry advocates, meanwhile, dispute the definition of a 'breach of peace,' saying people 'feeling uncomfortable' doesn't qualify.
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