Is it legal for us to carry a small survival pack? If some hot head police officer think we carry a gun on to the train because our little pack look too millitaristic.

Why wouldn't it be?

-john

Why did I have a vision of Pink Floyd singing " are there any ETS forum members in the theater tonight, get them up against the wall?" when I read this post. An individual's demeaner and appearance will determine how authority reacts. If ' Bruno' the midlife crisis biker on a Harley with an american flag , POW/MIA tshirt and atitude gets into a intellectual debate with me in a Rover 2000 TC wearing a suit and tie who is going to get searched by L.A.s finest? Right, Bruno did, in spite of the fact there was a cased Colt New Service and 100 rounds of ammunition in my trunk. Bruno had a butterfly knife and went bye bye. If you ever do get searched, just say it's a disaster emergency kit. They aren't that uncommon really and most emergency personell, including law enforcemnt have their own variations.

Where are you?

I ask only because I question why you would even raise the question, speaking as a lawyer.

I can imagine that a scruffy looking fellow in public transit with an odly shaped pack might at the moment arouse scrutiny. And, as we say in my biz, you may beat the rap, but won't beat the ride -- as long as you have no individual component in your kit that is unlawful (please note that I did not say illegal -- the distinction is going to be the subject of a future post) you have nothing to worry about.

There are some legal concepts under which the accumulation of otherwise lawful items can be construed as the construction of an unlawful device, such as a fertilizer bomb. But, the intent behind all suck constructs lies in the context. You can carry 50# of amonium nitrate around with a gallon of diesel fuel if your have a farm and a diesal truck. If you live in an apartment of the upper east side in NY and are carrying same -- all bets are off.

I admit my first response was a little flippant (sorry Picard), but it always gets my goat when people are self conscious about things that there is nothing wrong with.

My point being, if you know there is nothing wrong with what you are doing, hold your head high and don't sulk around.

Obviously, unless you are carrying illegal items, there is nothing wrong with being prepared. People might find it odd, but it certainly isn't illegal.

However, I get the impression that legality isn't really your issue. I get the impression that what you are really trying to ask about is getting hassled.

In that regard, I think the advice already posted is good. Your look is importaint (if you look scruffy people will think differently about you than if you are clean cut and well dressed).

Also, attitude is importaint - a good attitude is going to draw less attention and make it less likely that people (including police) are going to pay much attention to you than if you look guilty/shifty. It is also importaint if you end up dealing with police. A good attitude is going to make the interaction go much better.

If you look scruffy and are difficult/look guilty (etc), it is obviously going to be a much different interaction than if you look reasonable and have a good attitude.

Certainly, you could consider that you want to be scruffy and surly(or whatever) because it is your right. But extra attention is part of the price you get to pay for that privilege. The good part is you get to decide.

Good luck!

-john

My experience with the police is that they will usually treat you as well as you let them.

If you're well-dressed, not acting 'suspicious,' and talk to them without putting on a wise-guy attitude, you'll probably slide past what might get somebody else a ride. Of course, the operative words here are 'usually' and 'probably.' They get up on the wrong side of the bed, too.

A cop friend of mine has a little test he gives people when he's talking to them: If they look up to the left before they answer him, he says they're looking for a lie. Much better to look him in the eye and give direct, brief answers. Oh yeah, and call him 'Officer.'

This thread reminds me of a difficulty I had recently with the TSA. I'll put it in it's own thread on the campfire side.

The easy answer is not to look militaristic at all!
My packs are civilian book, camping, climbing, hiking or school packs be it a fanny or backpack. For me it’s mostly an old Mountain Smith fanny pack that I have traveled the world with and never had any one look twice at. One of my bags got looked in once during a border crossing. The officer looked up and asked camping gear? You bet I love it, I told him with a smile.
But like others mentioned I am clean cut and dressed properly for the environment and make sure I do not attract attention to myself.

Is to hide it in plain sight. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

And don't walk around with one hand in your pack.

Sue