Reader Michael in GA writes:
I’ve been populating my YouTube feed recently viewing “cop watch”, open carry, and 1st Amendment “audit” videos. I realize the attitude towards these citizen journalists from the Armed Intelligentsia varies at least as much as a caliber war.
I am neither advocating nor admonishing the activities of the civilians in these videos, be they uniformed or non law officers. I would just like to share a revealing conversation I had last night with an off duty sheriff’s deputy.
My wife’s boss invited his entire staff and their spouses to a dinner party at his lake home. He asked my wife what I would like to drink so that he could stock up on “good beer.” Apparently my reputation as a beer snob resonates at the office.
A case of Sweetwater IPA awaited my arrival and at the party, our gracious host never allowed anyone to go empty-handed. I’m talking drinks, not weapons. However, it goes without saying that I was carrying as usual, concealed. Not germane to the point, but I just wanted to set the scene.
About ten couples and the odd single enjoyed the late September mid-80-degree weather, imbibing cold drink of choice. We played a variety of games including, of course, a cornhole tournament in which the wife and I triumphed, I might add.
Among the partygoers was the boss’s son-in-law, the cop. After a boat ride and a steak dinner, I found myself chatting with the young gentleman about law as the topic of the Kavanaugh circus veered.
The following is that exchange. Don’t judge my ignorance of constitutional law. Rather, see if you get the same uneasy feeling reading the transcript that I felt hearing it first hand.
Officer [REDACTED]: “In my profession, I’m only concerned with the 4th and 14th amendments.”
Me: “What do you do?”
Him: “I’m a police officer”
Me: “I get the 4th but why jump to the 14th?”
Him: “The 14th backs up the 4th by stating the protection of citizens’ rights”
Me: “I thought it gave freed slaves their citizenship”
Him: “That isn’t all”
Me: “I know. Now we have anchor babies”
Him: “I am talking about it guarantees rights of all citizens”
Me: “What about the 5th?”
Him: “That’s only if you have been arrested”
Me: “I don’t know about that. How about the 2nd amendment?”
Him: “The 2nd protects shotguns and rifles but pistols are a little iffy”
Me: “Uhm…no. The second protects the right to all arms, knives, clubs and definitely handguns as well.”
Him: “But States can have different laws on pistols just like marriage”
Me: “Marriage isn’t even mentioned in the Constitution and you might refer to your 14th interpretation before claiming that States can infringe on gun rights”.
Him: “Well that’s just like, your opinion man”.
He really didn’t say that last part like that but the sentiment was the same.
Thoughts?