Mayor opposed to guns and civil rights
Cedric Glover, Mayor of Shreveport Lousiana believes he and his jackbooted thugs state police have the authority to wantonly violate your civil rights.
Mayor Glover believes that his brownshits state police have authority to “suspend” your rights.
From the blog Pro Libertate:
Any time a motorist is stopped by a police officer, insists Shreveport, Louisiana Mayor Cedric Glover, “Your rights … have been suspended.” This includes not only the freedom of movement, but also, in the event the officer inquires as to whether the driver is carrying a weapon, “Your right to be able to hold on to your weapon and say whether [you] have a weapon or not” — as well as the right to retain possession of that weapon, should the officer decide to confiscate it from you.
Should you choose not to answer the question, or answer it in the negative, the officer could still choose, “in the interest of officer safety, to secure you in a safe position” — this most likely means outside the car with your hands cuffed behind your back — “and then do an appropriate inspection of your vehicle.”
The phrase “appropriate inspection” is more honestly rendered “Unconstitutional” warrantless search.”
Should the police officer then turn up a firearm or other weapon in the car, the driver “would be guilty or potentially guilty of even a more severe offense” than whatever he had allegedly done to precipitate the traffic stop, according to Mayor Glover. Police officers, according to Glover, are invested with “a power that the President of the United States does not have … and that is the ability to be able to suspend your rights.”
This is “one of the things that I say to each and every one of the police officers who graduates from the Shreveport Police Academy since I’ve been mayor.” Fortunately for the public, one supposes, Mr. Glover remembers the lesson that Peter Parker learned from his kindly and sagacious uncle Ben — that is, with great power comes great responsibility.”You have to understand there is a great deal of power that is vested within … the law enforcement personnel of this country,” Glover insists. “It’s why there is a great deal of responsibility that has to go along with it.”
Glover offered those remarkable observations, and many others like them, in a recorded phone call with Shreveport resident Robert Baillio
Mr. Baillio had called to complain about a recent traffic stop in which an SPD officer, who– before dealing with any other matter of business — asked if Baillio had a firearm, then temporarily seized it from him.
Louisiana law recognizes the right of the state’s residents to carry loaded weapons in their vehicles, and Baillio has a state-issued concealed carry permit — that is, a piece of paper in which the state generously recognizes one facet of Baillio’s innate right to bear arms.
According to Baillio’s account, he was cordial and polite when he was stopped after supposedly neglecting to use a turn signal. That this was almost certainly a pretext stop is illustrated by the fact that Baillio never received a ticket. Supplemental evidence is offered by the fact that the conversation between the officer and Baillio focused entirely on the issue of gun ownership, including a question about Baillio’s membership in the National Rifle Association.
Glover is a member of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Mayors Agaisnt Illegal Guns, however it looks like Glover is opposed to all guns.
You hear the entire audio of Mr. Baillio’s conversation with Mayor Glover here.
Dear Sir,
I am a card carrying Republican. I respect the need of Law Enforcement in society. But I also support their right to be safe themselves.
Police Officers have a right to ask questions of the person they pull over. If you think you rights have been violated by the questions for any reason, you can question them after the fact.
Police Officers have families and kids. They go to work every day as a target for criminals.
At the end of the day. They just want to do their job of protecting you and go home to their families.
It is not a Constitutional Offense to ask if you may have a weapon that could potentially put the Officer in harms way.
He did not arrest you. He pulled you over. There is the difference.
He didn’t do random checks. He did not set up a road block to deprive you of your rights. He had Probable Cause to pull you over, he had Probable Cause to search you vehicle if you answered yes to ‘Do you have any weapons’, if you were acting an any way that was suspicious, then he had Probable Cause to search you vehicle to find any contra ban within.
Let’s face it, if you don’t use your turn signal, that in itself is illegal by DMV rules. I Know, I know, everyone does it. But that’s not the point.
When you see a police vehicle pull up behind you, then just cool your jets. Relax, and answer his questions. Don’t get out of the Vehicle. Like this guy did. Have your Drivers License ready as well as your proof of insurance. And accept that, for the Officers safety that you will be asked if you have been drinking, done drugs or have any weapons in your car that may make his going home to his wife and kids unlikely.
Where, in your job do you have to deal with, several times a day, that the asshole that you have to deal with next may shoot you? Other than convenience store clerk.
The officer has Constitutional rights also. Before the 2nd amendment. He has the right to Life. He is a public official whom puts his life on the line every day to protect your rights.
I see no infringement here.
Police Officers are put in place to protect the common good. But their first right is to protect themselves.
Your right to bear arms does not supersede their right to Life.
You have a right to bear arms, but that does not suspend his right to ensure his safety.
He gave you your weapon back, in due process. Your rights were not violated.
The Mayor was very articulate and accurate.
Don’t make gun rights advocates look stupid by your monologue.
There are real issues with gun rights that are being foreshadowed by the ones who truly want to take away your rights. You are only helping them do so.
You would have had a story that I could get behind if they stopped you in a random search and busted you on weapons charges with no probable cause to search your vehicle.
No officer could randomly stop you for no legitimate reason and search your vehicle. I will give you that.
But the fact that a failure to indicate a turn is a legitimate offense. And that a yes answer to do you have a Weapon or a reasonable, I don’t believe your no answer is also valid. Goes to probable cause.
I hate to say it but the Mayor won.
I support Gun rights.
But, pick your battles or you will look stupid and then Fail.
DU
Gentlemen, I see the importance of Proper and safe use of and carry of Firearms. I also know that Police officers have the right to “Live”. Their jobs are extremely hazzardous and they lay their life on the line. daily. I also do not think that a turnsignal violation is “probable cause” for “Criminal Activity”. Here in Florida, 99% of the Population, never uses their signal.. I guess that they should all be arrested and Jailed for “suspicion” of SOMETHING?? You see sometimes, the “Governing Class is Very Abusive”".Are we coming into a Police_State?/It is getting out of hand in some areas of the country..Mike Lakatos Gainesville, Florida
Hey nice post …. Keep up the great work
The police do have the right to relieve you of your firearm during a stop. I have had one stop where my handgun was taken and one where the officer said “Half the people I stop have permits.” and did not take my firearm.
I think the Mayor was extremely patient and professional and extended Barillo more time that was actually required. The fact the the Officer returned the weapon nullifies any compaint, from my perspective. With all the crazies out there, and all the videos I have seen where the assualt on the Officer occurs well into the incident, I really can not blame any Officer for TEMPORARILY confiscating the weapon to insure saftey. As long as once the Officer is finished he returns any legal weapon to it’s owner. Perhaps if barillo wants to effect change his complaint should have been directed more at questioning the probable cause for pulling him over in the first place but good luck there.
that’s outrageous & against the constitution of this great country.
Agreed on many points, but if the man was stopped for failing to use his turn signal why wasn’t that ever introduced into the conversation with the mayor. He didn’t receive a ticket or a warning. It would appear that he pulled the man over because he had all those pro gun stickers on his vehicle. I was pulled over the other night for a defective tail light and the officer never asked if I had a gun, he did what they are taught to do and that is ask for my drivers license and proof of insurance. He went back to his car, checked me out, returned and gave me my credentials back. I then asked him if I should have presented my CCW permit and he asked me if I had a gun with me upon which I said “No sir” and he said then I didn’t need to. This point of whether or not to voluntarily acknowledge that one has a permit is still a little ambiguous to me.
The law is clearly in violation of the constitution. The officer and mayor acted unlawfully. The officer commited a crime with a gun. This is clearly political. Violence used to advance political agendas is terrorism. They belong in prison. Just like the sherrif that arrested people for speaking out against the Kenyan during the presidential campaign…these people are domestic terrorists.
I have heard a rumor that La. has a Republican Conservative Governor, don’t quote me. Where the hell is Jindal???
I do understand police officers being cautious. In reading the entire article it appears
the police officer was out of line. Very few drivers in Memphis and Mississippi use their
turn signals (they think the lever is something to admire). The police officer should
first issue a written apology and if the officer declines then he should be suspended for
in appropiate actions. Police officers have a right to be suspicious but this was carrying
it way to far. The township should focus on replacing those who abuse their powers and think that they are not accountable for their actions. This is exactly why they put cameras in law enforcement vehicles). Search and seizure is usally done when there is just cause. According to the facts presented there was not just cause for a search and seizure. I would esculate the complaint to the attorney generals office for action
I hope Baillio sues Glover for everything he’s got. PS is Glover a Democrat? I support you 100% This is a clear violation of both 2nd and 1st amendments.
This is alarming and coming on top of other developments in the past few days, it seems our liberty has indeed been compromised. People need to stand up and be counted. Let us turn the lights on the cockroaches who have usurped our nation so that they scurry back into the crevices where they belong.
My political affiliations aside, this story is a blatant disregard to our right to bear arms. I think it is nearly time to start re-reading and teaching Jefferson’s view on firearms in the hands of civilians. More and more of our civil rights are being taken right out from under our noses, and seems we are powerless to stop this occurrence. I do not like guns, but I am staunch supporter and advocate for owning guns,and educating ourselves for use of them. Unfortunately, this is just a small piece of evidence that this is just the beginning.
tell that damn mayor if that were to happen here just once
no cop would be safe on a stop. I WILL NOT GIVE UP MY WEAPON TO ANYONE WHO ON A STUPID ASS MINOR TRAFFIC STOP THINS HE CAN TAKE MY WEAPONS.
SO MR. MAYOR, DON’T COME TO WYOMING… YOU WILL FIND OUT
WHAT YOUR RIGHTS ARE.
IMPEACH
OBAMA. VERY SIMPLE
IMPEACH OBAMA
According to the laws of the state of Louisiana it is not against the law to carry a gun in one’s car. If the victim in this case gave probable cause to be pulled over, what was the reason, and if for not using a turn signal, why was it not mentioned. Why were only questions about guns asked. Let me take a wild guess and surmise that the officer involved and the mayor are both black. Enough said
Pass this to all those who favor the 2nd amendment. By pass Shreveport. Don’t go there. If you must go through don’t buy gas, food, etc. Boycott the city and it’s mayor.
The business men will get the message and soon Glover will be out of office.
This is un-american. It is time we vote out of office anyone that trys to take our guns away. The second ammendment should not be infringed upon. Wake up America!
I hereby submit that mayor glover and his henchman be sentenced to read the Constitution of the United States. If the ignorant piece of garbage can read. I also question why the residents of Shreveport have not voted for a recall. This individual is no better than the messiah, obama, in violating the rights of Americans. Glover I challenge you and your nazi henchman to come get my weapons. I will invoke the castle doctrine. Oh, by the way, I DO NOT LIVE IN Louisiana. Seems that most of the politicians in La. believe they can suspend the rights of anyone anywhere they choose.
It is obvious that the police officer stopped the man because he had pro-gun bumper stickers on his car.
What no one has mentioned is that just because the police officer claimed the man did not use his turn signal, does not mean that he didn’t.
I respect the police who do a very hard and necessary job but they are still people. There many documented instances of police lying in order to make a case against some one.
All of the people who wrote and supported the mayor miss a huge point. The mayor said that when someone is stopped by a police officer that their “rights are suspended”. Wow!
Our rights are never suspended; that’s why they are called, “rights”. What does happen is that arrogant, power hungry, Liberals; use power, lies and intimidation to abuse our rights.
To charles stricklin and marc/du,
You obviously read only what you want to read. Had you read closer you would have ascertained that the gun was no where within reach or access of the driver. So where was the threat? THERE WAS NONE. Yes, the officer has the right to life. He has the right to protect himself from threat. If there is no threat there is no right to suspend the rights of the driver. Violation of rights by the officer? YOU BET! I hope Mr. Barillo sues the crap out of both the mayor and the offending officer. By the way, the mayor has no right to suspend the rights of anyone.
Sadly, we now have the government we deserve. If we do nothing toward real change, we’ll soon be shouting “HEIL HUSSEIN!”
I believe we (all Americans) have the right to have arms to protect our homes. The government does not have the right to tell us no.
The Democratic party under the leadership of Obama, Pelosi, Reid and a handful more would like nothing better than to have all the guns out of the hands of the American people. With all the garbage they’re trying to shove down our throats in an awful hurry,they are really afraid of a revolution. And without guns it’s almost like dogs without teeth. They don’t even want to hear our complaints. They think they know everything and we’re just supposed to accept it.
This Glover needs to be reminded that he is a servant, not a master, of the people of his city. Anyone with his kind of attitude has no rightful place in American public service at any level. Particularly offensive is the politically motivated nature of the traffic stop; that is the very antithesis of what this country is supposed to be all about.
When has the police have the authourity to do this? Not since Germany, 1933! What are we Constitutionalist Failures?
The Police Officer was clearly out of line but not becasue he temporarily disarmed the driver. He was out of line for not following through on the traffic stop and becaseu he indicated to the citizen that he was being stopped because of his bumper stickers.
This great nation guarantees every citien the right of Free Speech. Since there was no discussion of the reason for the traffic stop other than pointing to his bumper stickers, this might be considered an illegal stop in some jurisdictions.
It was wrong for the policeman to confiscate Robert Baillio’s gun simply because Baillio is pro-Second Amendment.
I called the mayor’s office and was promised a call back. I was told the situation was blown out of proportion. I certainly hope so.
In Texas, you are instructed to present BOTH your drivers and Concealed Handgun License when pulled over by any Police organization, whether you have a weapon in the vehicle or not. Period. My couple of experinces, the officer never asked if there was a weapon. However, if you do not show your permit he will know when he runs your DL if you have one. Now, you might have a problem with that.
Marc and Bob,
I am an OLD Marine of world war two, both of you are talking just like the Japanese would have talked if indeed they had taken over our country back in the 1940′s had I and so many other service members not went through a real living hell to keep over zelious uniformed people the likes of you from harasing honest law abidding citizens. If you can’t see the wrong in what this officer did, then our personal rights are going fast, if indeed they have not already gone. I think your judgement is as bad as any japanese soldier I HAD to kill. Though I have suffered mentily all my life since I had to do that. God knows I sure would not do that again, only to protect the bill of rights and the constitution as they are written. I swore I would do that as a young Marine at age fifteen in 1942. yes I lied about my age as did many others. to keep our country FREE from tyranny. (sic)
I don’t know what the hell you mean by moderation. I thought I made myself clear. I fought against tyranny(sic) once and now even in my middle 80′s I will fight against it again to secure the bill of rights and the Constitution if nessasery (sic)
Hello I emailed the mayor with my comments and here is his comments back:
Re: Comments from City of Shreveport WebsiteWednesday, August 12, 2009 5:23 PM
From: “Cedric Glover” Add sender to Mr. Sanders, you sound intelligent, but apparently you’re not. For the record, Shreveport has one of the lowest crime rates for mid to large cities through out the southern United States. Of course our’s is higher than Bossier’s, but then Bossier’s is higher than Blanchard. You should also be ashamed of baseless and idiotic claims you make against the outstanding men and women of the Shreveport Police Dept. Have you no decency sir?
My comments:
Mr. Mayor,
I will be asking all gun advocates and their businesses to boycott your city and its mayor.
You truly are a part of the problem this nation faces today.
You have abused your authority and power, forgetting that you are an elected official that is suppose to represent the people. It is apparent that this is political profiling.
Sir you are not above the law nor are you above civil liability.
You have truly opened a can of worms that can not continue.
The good citizens in La. should ask for your resignation.
And this man should file a lawsuit against you , the city, and the police department.
You truly are a part of the problem this nation faces today.
You have abused your authority and power, forgetting that you are an elected official that is suppose to represent the people. It is apparent that this is political profiling.
You will find you have stepped beyond your bounds. The people elected you, and they can and will remove you.
When stopped by a police officer, Silence is Golden. Anything you say can and will be twisted around, added to, edited and used against you. Do not use any expressions or any conversation. Give your name and address then only a yes or no answer. The government has given police compete authority with no accountability so be very careful in this police state.
Please sign me up for your e-newsletter. Also, what can I do as a citizen with vvery little assets?
Thank-You.
Folks,let’s give the benefit of doubt where it is due.
I am a former Florida State Trooper, and I reserve the priviledge of making any comment on this case until I have heard the story from the other side of the badge. All situations involving law enforcement officers and the public have two sides and points of view. I did not read all of the comments made here, but the several I did read, most of them seem to automatically jump to the conclusion that the officer was wrong and the motorist was mis-treated and violated.
Give the benefit of doubt unless and until the officer’s side is heard. Put an end to finger-pointing until you know all the facts.
As a retired peace officer I am appalled at the Mayor Glover’s statement that the police may “suspend your rights”. The supreme court has stated in no uncertain terms that the police are charged with enforcing the law, they do not serve and protect nor do they have the power to suspend anyone’s rights or interpret the law in any way shape or form. The civil rights section of any police academy would have addressed that in spades. Probable cause to detain Mr. Baillio on suspicion of a traffic infraction should have been established at the onset of the stop. “Good evening sir, the reason you were pulled over is because you were observed to_____________” insert the officers observation here. The fact that the officer used the pro-gun rights bumper stickers to perform a search of his car does not even rise to the occaision of reasonable suspicion, let alone probable cause! Further, according to what I’ve read, the officer did not ask for nor did he receive permission to search the vehicle. The mayor’s comment that if he had not answered in the affirmative as to whether he was carrying a weapon would have garnered “serious” other criminal charges is wildly out of line and shows an utter lack of knowledge and total disregard of both constitutional law and personal freedoms. Where is the ACLU in all this? Why aren’t they screaming for blood and Glover’s resignation?
I feel the only reason this officer pulled this man over, was because he had stickers on his truck, indicating he supported gun rights. He did not mention anything about the right turn signal initially, and immediately asked him about his arms, when he was OUTSIDE the truck. He could not use his gun if he wanted to and if would have been apparent if he had a pistol on him.
I feel this policy is an invasion of the 2nd amendment and should be revised. Police should not have the right to take your firearms, just because they stopped you for an supposed infracion of the law. It makes no sense to me that a low level police officer, not even a gov could take away your right, by the Constiotution to bear arms. In the conversaito between Baollio and the Mayor, I heard nothing to indicate his gun had been returned to him.
This policy just does not sound legal to me but it needs to be challenged if it is.
The seminal case in this tyrannical situation is “John Bad Elk,” in which the supreme Court concluded, correctly, and so ruled, that a Citizen is allowed by law to use any force necessary, up to and including lethal force, to prevent an unlawful arrest! Well said your honors! Perhaps, in my constitutionally protected opinion, this case law should have been applied in the instant case. And if Mr. Baillio had been subsequently charged with a crime and I were to sit on the jury I would certainly follow the law and declare that he had acted in a lawful manner by preventing his unlawful arrest (he was under arrest the minute he was stopped and his truck was “seized”) by shooting the officer (who is, in reality, NOT an officer but an employee of a private company which I guarantee is listed on Dun and Bradstreet as “ownership: private”) to death; and, I would find the defendant, Mr. Baillio, innocent of all charges, declare him free to go, and thank him for performing his civic duty and an act of preservation of the liberty, sovereignty and republican form that should be cherished by us all. Moreover, Article the fourth (AKA 4th amendment) prohibits stopping a vehicle unless there is a “founded suspicion of criminal conduct.” A traffic infraction is NOT a crime! See United States v. Salinas, 940 F.2d 392, No. 89-10350, United States v. Ramirez-Sandoval, 872 F.2d 1392, 1395 (9th Cir.1989), United States v. Thomas, 863 F.2d 622, 625 (9th Cir.1988), United States v. Cortez, 449 U.S. 411, 416-18, 101 S.Ct. 690, 694-95, 66 L.Ed.2d 621 (1981); United States v. Robert L., 874 F.2d 701, 703 (9th Cir.1989, (United States v. Brignoni-Ponce, supra, 422 U.S. at pp. 879-880 [45 L.Ed.2d at pp. 615-616].) People v. Spicer, 157 Cal.App.3d 213 [Crim. No. 45072. Court of Appeals of California, Second Appellate District, Division Seven. June 15, 1984.], Brown v. Texas, citing Davis v. Mississippi, 394 U. S. 721 (1969); Terry v. Ohio, 392 U. S. 1, 392 U. S. 16-19 (1968),Delaware v. Prouse, at 440 U. S. 661 -Berkemer v. McCarty, 468 U.S. 420 (1984), and Hiibel v. Nevada, 542 U.S. 177, Supreme Court (2004). So, it is clear that the 4th amendment provides a further and perhaps stronger protection in this case and in the case of any Citizen who is unlawfully “pulled over” by the American Gestapo in violation of the prohibition of the 4th amendment. Such a violation creates a valid cause of action for the Citizen who is detained and the law provides a remedy: The officer/employee and the pseudo-government corporation must respond in damages! Peace.
I would hope that Mr: Baillio, files a law suit against this Mayor and the Officer involved in this case. His right both federal and state were trashed and for no other reason then the stickers on his vehicle. I also hope that the N.R.A, get’s after this all the way to the highest court in this land. Garbage like this can not be allowed to go on in this country. I also have a carry permit. There is a weapon in my vehicle right this second, and one on my person. No police officer or any person except those breaking the law have any reason to fear them.
I for one will not buy anything or spend any money in Louisiana, until this is resolved.
Mayor Glover needs to be removed from Office any way possible and I can gurantee U that this hypocrite carries his guns around!
Everyone seems to have missed the point that the Mayor of Shreveport is creating a police state? It is obvious to me that this is happening all over. There are bills in Congress that say that those who own them must report them on their income tax or face imprisonment. This is just the beginning. Americans stand up for your rights. They are being taken away from us at an alarming rate.
I didn’t wade thru all the tread….but apparently, it sounds like the Mr. Ballalio’s firearm was properly returned to him. If this indeed is the case, I’d say “no harm done” and give the officer credit for not confiscating his weapon. I wore a blue suit many years ago for a couple of years and you never know WHO you are dealing with during a traffic stop! It is easier to dufuse the situation before an incident happens, rather than having to pull a trigger on someone who actually threatens you.
Personally, I’d have been a bit shaken and quietly “pissed” myself if it would have been me as the stopped subject. One must ALWAYS remember that the officer has the option to disarm you and his trigger finger may be itcher than yours! He may have had a bad day as well. As long as I was able to get my gun back, I would have been satisfied in the end. I’m an ex-officer, a long time shooter, and a CCP holder, and NRA Life Member myself. I try never to piss any “cop” off, to do so is total stupidity.
What is almost as stunning as the mayor’s statement that when a police officer stops you for a traffic violation (I am 100% sure that failing to use your turn signal is not a crime!)your constitutional rights are suspended, is his later assertion that merely questioning law enforcement or policy means you are not a supporter of the police. The Mayor was twisting facts to fit his picture of the occurrence, and was making up details to justify his position as he went along. So typical of today’s bureaucrats who think they govern by divine right.
I think that everyone hs their antenna up for the protection of their civil rights. While I do not own a gun, I do defend the right to carry one AS LONG AS IT SAYS SO IN THE CONSTITUTION! I hope it is there for a very long time, because, it helps protect the other ones that are specifically written there to keep the Federal Government off our backs. And we see so much of the rest of the Constitution being trampled on, torn up and for that matter, burning it at the stake! So Established Rights are just that, ESTABLISHED. Hold the to it, I argue.
Laura Van Overschelde
I suggest this guy start looking for a new job, as I intend to join in the phone bombardment of his temporary office. Remember to be polite when asking for his voluntary resignation or other. Have a nice day, call this BOZO, make him answer at the voting booth, along with the officer who followed an obviously illegal order! Later, Tor.
Mayor of Shreveport:
You should stick to the salad bar and leave the Fried oysters alone dude!
sounds like a commie
Tyranny, plain and simple. This is a perfect example of how the term “Serve and Protect” becomes “Rule and Harass”. This type of behavior by public servants cannot be tolerated in a free society.