[Mr. Bruce]

I had something happen tonight at the Christiana Mall involving 2 State Police officers and the Head of Mall security. That is all I'm going to say now because I'd like to speak to Wynder before I post....so.

Wynder.... please call me. Dave has my cell phone number if you don't have it. It was given to him for the list.

PM sent with my number

[sean3686]

I had something happen tonight at the Christiana Mall involving 2 State Police officers and the Head of Mall security. That is all I'm going to say now because I'd like to speak to Wynder before I post....so.

Wynder.... please call me. Dave has my cell phone number if you don't have it. It was given to him for the list.

PM sent with my number

do tell soon!
I have been there twice now with nothing said!

[sellahr]

Can't wait to hear about it. If it was anything like mine, I know it sucks.

[Mr. Bruce]

So here it is.

Walked around the mall shopping with my wife and daughter for about 1/2 hr. 45 min. I was standing in the entrance of Williams and Sonoma when a DE state trooper (I'll call him DE #1) said."Sir, could you step over here please?"
I walked over to him.

DE #1 "What are you doing?"
Me "Shopping"
DE#1 "Who are you?"
Me "Mr. Bruce"
DE #1 "Can I see some ID?"
At which point I went for my wallet in my back pocket and (using my strong hand) and he jumped and said "Easy."
SO.....learning experience #1 is I will forever tell the officer what I am about to do.
As he took my ID up walks DE state trooper #2......
#1 looks at me and says I'm going to take this from you for now and he reaches in and disarms me. I say ok as he is reaching in. A few warning bells are going off at this and I definitely don't want him to take it but in the middle of all this I am unsure so I let him. After talking to Rob I know I should have told him I don't consent to the seizure of my property as I have done nothing wrong. #1 then asks me if I have any more magazines at which point I smile and hold up the magazine in my hand and tell him just this one. (It was a paper magazine....not the kind he was asking about)
So both troopers are now talking to me. Asking if I am "with" anyone (another law enforcement agency). Who I am.... what I do.... am I a business owner.... Do I know I am making myself a target....They don't OC off duty....They have more training. Through all this I just listen and look at them politely and say nothing during the lecture. I have to say this. #1 was definitely very aggravated with me and pissed I was carrying. His tone and demeanor was very condescending. He so wanted to take my gun and me away. #2 was always polite and courteous. I think #2 actually made this turn out good on my behalf.
So in the very beginning of my lecture #1 asks me if I have a license to carry. I say no and he gets a look on his face like he's got me. Right before he is ready to move #2 interjects. "He doesn't need one. He's not concealing. What he is doing is perfectly legal." #1 did NOT know OC was legal for sure.

#2 now informs me that I'm gonna get stopped any time the police see me OC and they are going to do a warrant search on me and he will be right back. #1 stands there and holding my gun, waiting for the head of mall security to show up and watch me. As #2 is returning with my license Mall security chief walks up. They talk to him away from me and then call me over. #2 says " You're good... no warrants." They introduce me to the Security chief.....who just glares at me.
So the chief says... we have a policy in the mall of no carrying of firearms. The cops chime in. We are going to escort you to your car and the chief can decide if you are allowed back in after you secure your firearm in the car. I tell them I won't ever be returning to the mall after I leave. So #2 says to me thank you for your patience and cooperation. Have a nice weekend,sir. #1 carries my gun behind me and my wife and follows us to the door. As we reach the exit door I turn around to hold the door for the cop and get my gun. I see him finish writing my serial # of the gun on his hand. He then walks outside, hands me the gun and says thanks. I put my gun in my holster and get in the car and leave.

The whole time I was calm and I only spoke when asked a specific question. I never offered anything in terms of info. I really think the second trooper prevented the whole thing from going south. #1 was not happy at all and was just itching to do SOMETHING. He did not like me carrying at all. Like I said #2 was a professional at all times. He knew I was in the right and he may not have agreed with what I was doing but he was never unprofessional or a jerk about it. The only thing I would have done different is not consent to the seizure of the gun.

Positive experience? Yes and No. I didn't get arrested or have anything bad happen. I did not like the first cops attitude or demeanor. Was he unprofessional? Not really in the strict sense of the word. I could just sense he was seething inside and he was pissed at me. The only thing he did "wrong " was he didn't know the law. I think without #2 I would have been sitting in a car until it got sorted out or even taken in. The whole thing took about 15 to 20 min.

As far as the mall goes..... If that's the way they feel.. I will not be giving them my money again.

I'm open for discussion and questions if anyone is interested.....

[LordJim]

Has anyone looked? Are there any signs or public notices that lawful carry of a firearm is prohibited? I think it's worth getting in touch with the mall's management to get further clarification of this policy.

Rob's right, you could have and perhaps even should have mentioned that you don't consent to any seizure of your property, but this is a stressful situation and things happen quickly.

All in all I think you handled yourself well.

-
Jim

[sellahr]

Damn why couldn't I have been stopped by State Troopers. They seemed to handle it alot calmer than the Wilmington PD that stopped me. Even though they all were wrong, atleast you didnt sit in the back of a car handcuffed for about an hour. Now i have another reason not to goto Christiana Mall.

[Mr. Bruce]

There were no signs at the entrance I went in... I checked

[sean3686]

I looked when going in through pennys and there were no signs either.

I hope you got there names?

[Mr. Bruce]

I totally forgot to get names or badge numbers....... No excuse.... I was to intent on trying to make sure I didn't do or say anything wrong......

[sellahr]

After going through the same thing I understand how hard it is to remember everything that you need to do or not do.