Very interesting. Who drafted these R&R's, a bunch of cowboys?

It seems to me that that last section is very poorly written. Frankly, if I was a police officer, I would always keep my weapon with me, just to be sure I was in compliance with that section. Hence, it seems to me that until there is some additional ammendment to the R&R, the BCPD can expect that officers will continue to consume alcohol while armed, even to the point of intoxication.

Apparently, the only time intoxication is considered excessive by the BCPD is if an officer is so wasted and hung over, he or she can't report for duty the next day. Nothing like making sure your officers adhere to a high standard.

Amazing.

Not only should cops be allowed to bring loaded guns into bars; all concealed carry permit holders should be allowed to do so. Maryland should follow the lead of Virginia's government led by Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) which has recently passed a law allowing CCP holders to bring loaded guns into bars. The problem with the VA law is that it allows law-enforcement officers and commonwealth’s attorneys to carry concealed weapons and consume alcohol. But it creates two classes of citizens by restricting CCP holders from consuming alcohol.

Perhaps guns should have devices similar to those used to lock ignitions of cars to prevent people from driving under the influence.

Sure, what could go wrong?

Yes, Police should be allowed to carry thier weapon in a bar when off duty. The key point is good judgement must be used.

I Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

I thought of this verse at a bible study and when something of this nature occurs.

On a lighter note. Reminds me of a movie. Cops are off-duty and in street clothes at an early AM bar, and somebody decides to try and rob it. 40 guys pull out their service weapon and point at the suspect, who is shocked by his own stupidity and walks out of the bar.

NO, they should not when drinking and frankly it is against departmental policy to do so. This 15 year vet is in deep do-do.

The policy should be (if it isn't already) that an off duty LEO cannot consume ANY alcohol while carrying a concealed weapon. Where has common sense gone?

"Yes, Police should be allowed to carry thier weapon in a bar when off duty. The key point is good judgement must be used."

Bill, if you know how to assure that good judgment will be used in such situations, then I'm all for this as well. However, I do not want anyone ... cop, lawyer, doctor or an average Joe off the street, going into a bar with loaded gun and then getting liquored up.

B...moron cops use deadly force
too often when they are on the clock and history has shown time after time that these idiots, that we sign up to be police officers, use their weapons when they are off duty when it's not in the interest of the public that they are supposed to protect.

No...instead we should just pray they do not run into anyone who holds a grudge from a previous on-duty run-in with the police officer.

The difference between police officers and the average citizen is it is the job of police officers to regularly come in contact with and inevitably upset very bad and dangerous people....that's why we have police officers, to put themselves between us and those bad guys.

If we insist on limiting their ability to defend themselves and their families we might as well just throw them to the wolves. Of course this might be exactly what some of Baltimore Sun's readers want.

o.k. I am confused... I KNOW first hand that not only police officers carry their weapons 24-7, but correctional officers carry theirs as well. Correctional officers carry theirs inside clubs etc. what about them?????

I believe that in the movie mentioned by "Capt Jack" the robber was armed, but our Baltimore citizen/U.S.Marine had no weapon at all except his manly fists.

On a lighter note: who on earth proofread those BCPD rulings? Apparently an intoxicated officer and certainly not a Sun writer.

The answer is NO.
Why? because we have had a number of officer-involved shootings at bars in the last few years. Clearly the responsibility is too great. And if it's too great for trained police, who should know the fine points of the law, it's certainly too great for the average citizen.

On a related note, if you can't drive while drinking you certainly shouldn't be able to handle a gun while drinking. Common sense, people. One can kill or wound, the other was crafted for that purpose.

I work for a county agency with a very strict policy regarding the consumption of alcohol while armed; it is absolutely prohibited. Under no circumstances is an officer to consume alcoholic beverages while carrying a firearm. The reasons are countless and obvious. If this officer acted outside the law (and at first glance it certainly appears so), he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Officers, like this one, give police officers everywhere a bad name. But, when the Baltimore Police Department is more interested in hiring quantity instead of quality, this is what you get. To make matters worse, the few high-quality officers they do hire last no more than 24 months before they "lateral" to a county agency where:

* The pay is better;
* The agencies are well-run;
* Corruption is nonexistent;
* The working conditions are better;
* The officers receive top-notch training;
* And the public supports their officers.

Things with the Baltimore Police Department will never change...that's why 400 officers just put in their retirement papers.

Yes Officiers should carry guns in a bar as long as THEY DO NOT DRINK. Guns and drinking is like gasoline and matches. It's not alright to drink and drive so why i it alright to carry a gun and drink?

It's OK to take a gun into a bar and use it only if some pig/POS slaps a woman on the butt. In that case permission granted to open up.

What kind of world do these people live in?

Does anyone, anywhere, think it is cool or macho to slap a woman on her butt?

Keep it up and let's hope the casualty numbers keep climbing. I have no doubt the dead man was a POS in general, whether he served or not. No one, any place, any time, wants a slob/subhuman like this anywhere near them.

In case you are someone who practices this you are part of the problem and should be put on notice that you have been passed by, evolutionally speaking.

Should cops carry guns into bars. Hell not!

John,

I would rather have an officer off duty armed in a bar rather than a street thug armed inside the bar.

just think..... if this "upstanding" marine had kept his hands and/or vulgar remarks to himself..none of this may have happened. not saying he deserves to die..but, admit it- ir makes you think.

be careful of what you disrespect.

just sayin'.

For a city that hates police so much the 911 call volume for police services is high. When folks are scared they want someone to come and make it safe again. Then the very people that show up and make it safe, are then hated for the very thing they were called to do.
If folks hated the criminal element the same way that they hate the police this city could really get cleaned up. Instead the criminal element finds sanctuary here, not hatred.

Anonymous,

I agree with your point of view, well said.

The key to this is "reasonably conclude the wearing of a firearm to be inappropriate." It is inappropriate for any one, not just police officers, to drink alcohol and possess a fire arm. Many who drink alcohol have negative side effects of anger, aggressive behavior, etc.

Police officers have prevented and safe guarded many citizens in off-duty incidents since the wearing of fire arms outside the job became mandantory. It has also saved a number of lives of both citizens and police officers from those who prefer to blatently disregard the law.

All police officers under extensive mental evaluations, however, just like in the military, in the case of the doctor who killed so many people at the military base, no one seems to ever know when a person is going to cross that line from sane to insane.

Citizens and police officers must obey the same law. One is only allowed to display the same amount of force they are threatened by at the time. Shooting someone multiple times because they fondled a women is angering yes, but a blatent over exaggeration of force (any dedicated, sane police officer will agree with this logic).

Don't make all officers pay for one officer that appears to have lost their ability for reason and restraint!

This is a typical liberal, er, uh, I mean, progressive, view: Paint them all with a broad brush. If a liberal's, er, uh, I mean, progressive's child skins his knee on a playground why then all playground surfaces must be covered with layers of foam rubber! One cop, with a history of being as nut, kills someone with his gun, so liberals, er, uh, I mean, progressives, want all of them to leave their guns home. And, if cops can't be counted on to responsibly carry guns, then you (ignore that pesky 2nd Amendment thing) can't wither.

The vast majority of law enforcement officers do not get into any trouble. Police have a tough job, and it's not getting any easier. The police bashers should take a moment to realize the police are trying to make the streets as safe as possible but can not do it alone. The bottom line is off duty police have the right to be armed for thier safety as well as your safety.

It's very important to allow police to carry guns in a bar scenario, after all how will you show off if you can't drunkenly wave your gun around at such events. You might have to cap some black guy who starts making moves on your woman.