Ernie and Gentlemen,
I have been visited and perhaps a positive story is in order.
I live near where one of the murders occurred. Sunday last (13 Oct) after church comes two plain clothes officers to my house, badges prominently showing. One each MSP and MCPD detectives. They were polite and professional. After introductions, they asked if I knew why they might be at my address. I related having suspicion but why not tell me. They did - Maryland State "controlled" firearms lists indicate I own .223 rifles and could they see same. All was cordial and non-confrontational. They never asked to enter my house. They never demanded anything.
Invited in, I retrieved the secured objects of their quest. Upon inspection they asked if I would allow them to be test fired. I asked for elaboration of the procedure and when they would be returned. A "Receipt for Property" form was duly executed and I was told Wednesday (16 Oct).
Some miscellaneous discussion developed (many "controlled" .223 rifles had been sold but they were still contacting the original owner -???) and they were interested in my whereabouts on the dates of the shootings. A self-employed consultant, their interest was fair enough. Information provided and interview concluded, they departed with the two cased firearms.
Wednesday I had a voice mail from one of the detectives informing me that my rifles had been tested and could be delivered that evening. I returned the call and left a voice mail. The returned message asked me when it would be convenient for him to return the rifles.
The date and time were set for Friday, 0700hrs. On their word they arrived at 0655 and returned the rifles, in long boxes bearing BATF "evidence" tape which had been signed by some agent. They were returned in good order without harm or modification. I was thanked for my cooperation and offered an apology for any inconvenience.
As I have told some of you, I think it counterproductive to make the assignment individual police personnel must execute difficult in this situation. Certainly Maryland is trying to establish a ballistic database of the limited ("controlled") .223 rifles they can identify.
The State Trooper admitted that there were types of .223 rifles (and pistols - Remington X-???) they would never know about. He would not speculate on how testing the limited number they identified would help.
Since they know I have some specific firearms, making their assigned task troublesome seems pointless. Warrant searches might invite ransacking in response to perceived hostility by a lawful gun owner. This was my choice. Period.
As Phil Lee has pointed out to many of us, it is the political make up of this State which is the proximate cause of our concern and distaste. To correct that we need to participate in the political process as he and Jim Putilo have urged tirelessly.
I once worked for a learned gentleman who was student of this Republic's founding. He often noted how Alexander Hamilton warned that the trouble with a democratic republic is that the people get what they deserve.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
And
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What would you do.NEVER let an investigating cop into your house without a warrant. no no no!!!!. Doesn't matter what they say they are looking for. They are like a vampire . . . once you let them in, they are in, and can search for almost anything they want. You just kissed any 4th amendment protection goodbye.
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Van Canna