Is it legal for a cop to pull a gun?

Something really serious happened a few months back. Me and my friend were downtown and we had heard about street races. Well we went down to go look and see what goes on and everything. Well we find everyone in this empty parking lot so we procede to park and hang out and film some of it. Well the cops showed up and everybody started to run and we just got in the car and tried to leave. Well we got blocked in by a cop and iwas so nerveous that i start rolling back cuz i let go of the break. Well the cop whipped out his gun and pointed it right at me and told me to get the **** out of the car. So we did and we were never cuffed nor arrested. My question is, is what he did legit? I am kind of scared to say anything because i don't want like the cops after me.
Additional Details
Alright, I was just told that unless I have a weapon that their not allowed to pull the gun. My car barely moved and I have the whole thing on film

Shana N

The officer was in the right, kiddo. Your car can be used as a weapon. Besides the officer has no idea whether you hopped in the car to get a gun, if you have one under the seat or what. Officers are trained to protect themselves and society first. They have to be comfortable and educated about firearm safety. You could have potentially run him over with your car. Gun vs. Car who is going to win.

I wouldn't make a fuss on this one. Be thankful he didn't charge you with a hundred small violations that could have racked up both jail time and fines out the wazoo. Police officers can be very creative in their interpretation of the city codes, ordinances and laws when given reason. You got lucky.

A cop can pull his gun ANYTIME he feels threatened. How was he to know you weren't going to run him over?

joyceeleann

Yes..your fleeing a crime scene

Jen G

Yes, you started to drive when he had you blocked. He didn't know whether or not you were going to use the car as a weapon....

Heather W

yes it is there is nothing you can do about it sorry

woodyhou

Police can pull their weapon anytime they see fit. You shouldn't have been engaging in illegal activity.

a police officer is allowed to draw his weapon if he feels he is in imminent danger. he may have felt you were about to run over him with your car. . .

â€ Absintheâ€

Well you looked like you were trying to flee, so yeah, it's legal. That "well I was just scared" crap doesn't fly either, the courts deal with stupid punks all the time...

jamestk07

At any time when an officer feels threatened for their own safety, or trying to stop a would be criminal they use what ever means necessary.

violation.anus

they can pull their weapon anytime they feel that they're life is in danger.....

Ret. Sgt.

What street lawyer told you that you had to display a weapon before the Police could draw his gun. Same street lawyer that's been arrested a number of times, I bet. Did he tell you if you ran home and yelled "Ollie Ollie Ocean in free" that the bad police could not arrest you.?

You let go of the brake and started going backwards?.. Were you in neutral? Were you on a hill and had the clutch down? Were you going backwards to begin with and just continued to go backwards when you took your foot off the brake? Or, were you rolling towards him?

Sounds like the story got some color added or at least a little varnish. My guess is, there's more to this than has been told.

prothenb

Your car can be considered a weapon. And they are not required to see you with a weapon first to draw their guns.

*****

The police thought you were making a break or tying to run them over, so they were justified in pulling their gun on you in this case. What you should have done was to put the car in park and do as told.

hoponcop

prove it

chill out

You're an idiot!!! Grow up and get a life. He should have shot you and yes, he would have been justified.

][)O[]DE[]D@N!C

The police have a license to kill, so regardless of what you do or did, they have every right to pull a weapon. Because it appeared that your were fleeing from a criminal act that was in progress, and your car was in motion, he may have felt threatened or feared that his life was in danger. Many times a suspect will try to ram a cop while being boxed in and looking for a path to escape.

Just remember, cops are not on our side. Their sole job is uphold the law by any means necessary and they have millions of dollars, the legal system, and high power lawyers to back any play they make. You can say something, but you will only probably be told "so what", and left behind like all the others who have had bad experiences with the police.

Ha! these people are giving me thumbs down for saying that the cops are not on our side! The next time your friend or you are accused of something you did not do, lets see you tel lthe cops everything you know and then have that turned around on you, and in the end you pay for their lack of intellignece. This is a business for them and they are a gang that works for the state, city, county, etc.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: