I think I’ve mentioned in the past the pitfalls of having a gun in New York State, and people getting arrested for illegal possession when they checked in at an airport counter and didn’t have NY state issued paper for it. This story comes from my friend John, a retired cop in California:
Some years back my wife and I flew to NYC to be the last guests of the WALDORF—ASTORIA before the wrecking ball turned it into Tapioca.
While packing, I noticed some issues with my Compact .45 and immediately sent it out for repair. The only other suitable firearm I owned was my old Detective Special—that I owned since the early 1980’s. (And when I mean suitable: I had fresh ammo and a suitable holster.)
Thankfully, we encountered no issues while in NYC, and we headed to JFK to fly home. At the ticket counter I declared an unloaded firearm in my luggage. And as you well know, that is proper and legal.
Ticket agent asks for a NYS Pistol Permit, which I don’t have. “So you’re law enforcement?” I told him I’m retired and authorized in all 50-states.
“Wait here—the police have been notified!”
A few minutes later, a pair of young Port Authority cops arrive. I show my retired ID—which passes muster. Then they want to examine the gun.
Bottom line: Those two young cops did not know how to open the cylinder on a Colt revolver.
Seems like firearms training needs to add a little extra to the course. Those Detective Specials are a reliable sidearm. Some of these new recruits need to know that there are good firearms between a muzzleloader and a Glock…
Chances are they can’t operate a flintlock either. Gun things be hard….
Unbelievable.
Probably couldn’t dial out on a rotary phone either…
Probably didn’t know how to use a dial phone either.
I regularly shoot a ‘qual’ with my .38 Agent at Staccato Ranch. You’d think I should wear overalls and a straw hat for some of the looks I get from the youngsters.
Meh, ‘fuds’ are what studs grow into – if they’re lucky.
HaHa
perhaps they don’t know what the yellow pages are or how to operate a rotary phone