In the terms of a certified police officer, what qualifies as a threat? Is it legal to arrest someone who claims they made no threat to authorities but simply had a legalized gun with them? It appears that in the recent incident of Alonzo Gonzalez these questions were subjectively answered, and remain to be resolved.
Fox News reported this Saturday, "Alonzo Gonzalez told KPRC-TV
this week that he was pulled over by a police officer in Rosenberg,
Tex. for failing to signal a turn. He said he ended up getting arrested
for traffic violations after the officer asked if he had his handgun
with him and he replied, 'I sure do.'" This in itself could be taken as a sarcastic response or even a cheerful reply, but based upon the tone in Gonzalez's voice, the police officer found no amusement. “'Just because I have a handgun on me which, you know, I have a
license to carry, it shouldn't be a big deal, but that's what made it
the turning point,' Gonzalez told the station." The report later describes that the officer in question later underwent an examination, wherein they determined that he had "followed all the proper procedures." Soon after however, the officer resigned from his post.
This is a tricky situation in itself; who is in the wrong? Based upon the writers of the Constitution, the Second Amendment states that we have the right to bear arms, and since Gonzalez was qualified, he technically should not have been arrested. On the other hand, our nation has been undergoing a lot of stress and sorrow because of our traditional gun law. Could racism have been a factor in the arrest? Could Gonzalez have been more provocative in his response than the report announces? These are questions one would have to ask ones' self as they read the incident, as they are important to the outcome of the officer and arrested citizen alike.
Further description of the article here: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/11/21/texas-motorist-says-officer-query-about-legal-firearm-leads-to-arrest/
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