Baltimore Police Issue 2nd Amendment Decal Warning
Maryland –-(Ammoland.com)- On May 29, 2011, the Baltimore Police Criminal Intelligence Section issued an “Intelligence Bulletin” warning officers about persons displaying the 2nd Amendment decal pictured here. The bulletin contains the following caption in bold red letters:
“….while the individual who is displaying the symbol may not be armed, the presence of the symbol provides an early warning indicator that you MAY be about to encounter an armed individual.”
It apparently never occurred to the Intelligence Section that perhaps we the people could use a warning that the presence of a badge provides an early warning that we are about to encounter an armed individual. While this may seem a bit sarcastic, it is certainly not unfair for Maryland citizens to have reason for concern when they are approached by an officer.
This is especially true when the officers are overly tense because they have been warned that a citizen with a decal or patch MAY be armed.
This Association asked James H. Green, of the Baltimore City Police Department to explain why the Baltimore City Police Department feels the need to profile persons who choose to support the U.S. Constitution.
Mr. Green responded with the following statement:
“I have spoken with our Criminal Intelligence Section and the bulletin was created in response to a number of recent inquires asking about the decal and its meaning and information generally provided to law enforcement about officer safety. All law enforcement agencies attempt to inform our officers or citizens as appropriate when inquiries such as this arise.
I certainly disagree with your characterization of “profiling.” Clearly the bulletin is informational and does not remotely suggest a suppression of Constitutional rights. In fact, as you are aware, many law enforcement personnel are members of the NRA or affiliated organizations.
As you are also aware, traffic stops are the single most dangerous encounter for law enforcement. It certainly is practice for law enforcement to ask operators about weapons for safety reasons only. The presence of a decal is NOT justification in itself for a traffic stop.
I hope that this addresses your inquiry and clears up any confusion about the bulletin.”
Note: “ WRTAC” stands for “Washington Regional Threat Analysis Center”
This Association has already submitted a Public Information Act request for information regarding similar bulletins involving NRA decals, patches and license plates.
It is quite interesting that the Washington Regional Threat Analysis Center and the Baltimore Police believe that showing support for the U.S. Constitution is considered a threat to police officers.
The actual Baltimore City Police Bulletin
Click here to purchase a 2nd Amendment support decal.
About:
Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore, Inc. (AGC), located in Marriottsville, Maryland. The Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore, Inc. was formed on July 1, 1944 when a number of World War II veterans in the Baltimore, Maryland area began looking for a place for recreational and competitive shooting. They organized with several other Baltimore area shooting clubs to form the “AGC” Visit: www.associatedgunclubs.org
I just looked at our department bulletin history. Couple of points. This one was not generated at the local or regional level but at DHS which then sent it to regional “Fusion Centers” like WRTAC. WRTAC was not the only one to get this so it was not generated by a BPD inquiry, but rather top down with other gun rights bumper stickers. WRTAC and other regional/state “Fusion centers” are mandated to coordinate on terrorist activity and national gangs. The problem is the fusion centers mainly work with data collection and data mining and this bulletin and the way it… Read more »
“UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO” .. really, guys? Classification markups? First they play military, now they’re playing intelligence? Does the Baltimore Police have any “TOP SECRET//SCI//FGI GBR//REL TO FVEY” documents? That’d be entertaining. 9_9 I can’t wait for a police department to refuse to release information via FOIA or something because it’s “classified”. Police departments aren’t classification authorities. They probably should reconsider playing like they are.
“Bruce Grant on June 8, 2011 at 8:25 PM said: I understand Maryland is the only state that does not include the right to keep and bear arms in their constitution. What do you expect from the police forces of a people’s republic?” It doesn’t have to Bruce. Article 2 of the Maryland declaration of Rights (the first part of our Constitution states: “Art. 2. The Constitution of the United States, and the Laws made, or which shall be made, in pursuance thereof, and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, are,… Read more »
20 years as a big city police officer 10 years as a S.W.A.T operastor. I saw this warning about a year ago, and was like WTF. now with recent events I just ordered 3 stickers (for both cars and for my motorcycle)
Nanjing03: VERY true. More than "some".
Ha ha ha ha! I'm sorry, you had me at "Baltimore Police."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKnExaM5xUY