Papers, bitte

[msmemory_archive]

Eish. They've started checking IDs on the Green Line. Apparently, if you are innocent, you are not supposed to mind.

Comments

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

Have you given some thought to what you would accept as "adequate reason"? They're unlikely to have warrants. Personally, I am finding "I am a big scary man with a gun and the (practical, though perhaps illegal) power to arrest you" argument to be fairly compelling. I'm still mulling over where to draw the line between personal comfort and important civil disobedience on this one...

[dsrtao]

Yes, I have. The officer should clearly state the reason for the request for identification, the reason I am being stopped, and whether he/she suspects me of any crimes (and if so, what, exactly), or what events I am thought to have witnessed.

I am a big nice man who, if carrying a gun, is doing so legally. Arrest is a very important line to cross. The police only have what powers we give them; the power to coerce identification is extremely limited.