dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

woo hoo run for the hills.... lol
it starting look like the govenor is about to sign the bill where we can carry guns unconcealed , i have a hip slinger colt buntline with the 9 1/2 in. barrell so if i miss i can reach out an hittem

Nikonfan70 Loc: Long Island

You are enjoying rights we don't have in the east.

KeithF199 Loc: Frisco, Texas

I know my response may be a bit lengthy, however, Rights of a Photographer is a complex topic.
The problems with the rights of a photographer, versus the directives by law enforcement agencies issued to their officers, appear to be growing in complexity.
Private and Public Rights as well as National Security statutes appear to be migrating into each other’s boundaries as such confusion grows, and conflict arises. Federal, State, County, and City laws / statutes, and the subsequent directives handed out to the field may be misinterpreted. Some law enforcement agencies tend to error on the side of “Protecting the rights of the injured, while stepping on third party (photographer) rights in the process.”
The following link is IMO well written, well researched, and informative.
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/tutorials/photography_law_rights.html
This article also cites laws by state for certain issues. Good to know.
The one observation that stands out among all the issues mentioned above is the effects on your life, if you come into conflict with a policeman and you are arrested, your photography equipment seized, perhaps handled inappropriately, and then stored in an evidence locker. I have heard the “if you break my stuff, you will pay” statement; please tell me if anyone reading this has ever collected money from a police agency for damage to seized property? You may have from your own insurance company, but from the police?
Being fingerprinted, photographed, and having a record created about your arrest is not a good thing. Subsequent to your arrest, contacting an attorney, filing requests for records, depositions, law suits, and court hearings, are all expensive, time consuming and stressful.
Unless you enjoy such events, perhaps contacting the respective State’s Attorney General’s office and obtaining a copy of the law(s) addressing such issues, then contacting the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the territory you anticipated visiting, and getting their read on what you intend to photograph, would better serve you. Always get names, rank, and dates when speaking to any person of authority, and keep it in your immediate possession.
In summary, two points to consider; (1) if you come into contact with a police officer, and he issues you an order, I suggest you obey the order, and then file a complaint with the respective agency if you feel the order inappropriate, but do so after the fact and avoid confronting the officer. It matters not whether he is badge happy, or a good cop following orders as he was instructed.
(2) Know the law / statute in your state, and be prepared to bring it to the supervisor’s attention. Please remember, when placed in a stressful position such as a fire, accident or crime, police officers are human and tend to revert to their training. Your increasing the stress on the officer only raises the potential for a bigger mistake happening to you.

prestonphoto Loc: Bath, NY

I would suggest copying the last paragraph -

In the United States there are no laws barring
the photography of buildings, bridges, tunnels,
industrial plants and other structures – or of
people. You may not trespass to take
photographs, and you may not be allowed to
created an impediment to traffic, pedestrians or
safety, but the act of photography is protected.

and tape the card and that paragraph with it just to make things a little more clearer.

TJ28012 Loc: Belmont, NC

When taking photos at dusk, a patrol car arrived. When I told the officer I had a small pistol in my pocket (which is a requirement in my state) and offered to show him my permit, he declined and jokingly said he did not want to see the pistol either. He said the call they received was about a cameraman, not a gunman.

He did tell me that my "carry permit" should be shown to an officer early during any inquiry, even if not armed. Since a very complete background investigation is made before one is issued, and it is a legal document, it tends to prove to any officer that you are a "good guy" right up-front.

IMHO, a card as mentioned at the start of this thread would only be worthwhile if it could refer to any laws (by number) that supported our rights as photographers.

hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

Whether we like it or not, and I can't imagine anyone liking it much, we live in a land of paranoia. Given that fact, it may be appropriate for we photographers who do not seek to cause harm, to develop a simple thoughtful response to anyone inquiring as to our purpose. This rather than, it's my right to do this and STYICK IT. It just might work to our well being and state of mind as well.

talkmeoutofit

07

This is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Well said.
:thumbup:

Thom Loc: Cleveland Ohio

You got that right....whooz rights are we giving permission to...the person..the piece of usless paper..or the camera..common sense hmmmm...Oh Im sorry its the not too common of sense talking!

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

Thanx for the link...it will be used.

DK Loc: SD

I have been questioned twice. Once when I was taking photos at an open cut mine in the Black Hills. There was some controversy with environmentalists about the mine and I suppose the mine official thought I was one of them. I explained that I was only interested in documenting the old ghost town and ghost mines in the area before they disappeared to mining. I wound up doing a story and photos for a magazine on their reclamation of previously mined areas with the guy who questioned me.
The other time, I was approached by a volunteer enforcer in a State Park. Unknowingly, I was near the state-owned cabin frequented by the governor and his friends that had been controversial. After I explained that I was just taking photos of the creek, he took my word for it that I had the proper park sticker on the car without looking. Later, my grandson and I found the gate open on the road to the cabin, drove in and took photos. We never got caught.

DK Loc: SD

I have been questioned twice. Once when I was taking photos at an open cut mine in the Black Hills. There was some controversy with environmentalists about the mine and I suppose the mine official thought I was one of them. I explained that I was only interested in documenting the old ghost town and ghost mines in the area before they disappeared to mining. I wound up doing a story and photos for a magazine on their reclamation of previously mined areas with the guy who questioned me.
The other time, I was approached by a volunteer enforcer in a State Park. Unknowingly, I was near the state-owned cabin frequented by the governor and his friends that had been controversial. After I explained that I was just taking photos of the creek, he took my word for it that I had the proper park sticker on the car without looking. Later, my grandson and I found the gate open on the road to the cabin, drove in and took photos. We never got caught.

Libbypics

As a former Deputy Sheriff who worked the Traffic Unit, writing tickets and investigating crashes (where I took my own photos, starting my love of this field), I am not surprised that some of you are "harassed" by police. I can't count the number of cars I stopped for a traffic violation intending to write a warning, only to have the driver greet me with "What the **** do you want?" Guess what!! Every one of those drivers wound up with a ticket!! YOUR attitude goes a LONG way toward how the encounter will end. If some smart aleck handed me a card and gave me the name of his lawyer, we would have a much longer and much more unpleasant encounter than the guy who remained cheerful, positive, and simply told me what he (or she) was doing. Remember, law enforcement officers are supposed to check out anything that "doesn't look right". Don't automatically assume they are "picking on photographers. Oh, and keep the "Rights" card in your wallet, not in your hand! And, I know (and knew) what the rights of photographers were and are. My big problem was with the media, including one helicopter pilot jerk who was actually moving evidence around at the scene of a fatal crash which killed a police officer "to make a better shot". Things deteriorated rapidly for him when he told me to "Get out of my way, son. Don't you know who I am?" Do you know how hard it is to find a tow truck to remove a helicopter after the pilot has been arrested?

hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

EXACTLY

hiker60 Loc: Northern Idaho

I agree with this comment. Frequently, I'm "shooting" private buildings from public property (sidewalks/streets). I've found that courtesy and patience usually pays off. I also show the law enforcement folks samples of what I'm shooting. Usually works.

tinosa Loc: Grand Rapids Michigan

I once pulled into a parking lot to capture a beautiful tree in full fall foilage. 2 security guards came up and informed me that a woman complained that I was taking pictures of her children. (There were no children in sight). I pointed to the tree and showed them the pic of it on my LCD. They smiled and said they would inform the woman of what I was photographing. I didn't think to ask where this woman and her children were and still wonder how I could have caused her reason for concern. .