The radio thing...yeah, I know all about that!    

I could tell a few stories about that,  I assure you!    Some cops think it's illegal for anyone to listen to their radio traffic, PERIOD.    Others think it's illegal if your radio is the same type that they are using. (It's not!)   But fortunately, most of the ones whose opinions really matter (supervisors and above) know better.    

I insist on using only the best radios available for scanner duty.   My radios are always the same brand as the cops are using (Motorola or GE/Ericsson/Whatever-they-are-called-today) and are always the top of the line models that the average patrolman doesn't rate.     Some patrolmen have actually said they're going to confiscate the radio because I can't have it.   I've said,  "Wanna bet your job on it?  I have made a detailed study on the state's radio and scanner laws and I know better and if you try to take this radio, nothing would please me and my lawyer more.   Get your supervisor over here!"   Every time, they've backed off, and I give them the state law title and section numbers that are relevant for them to read up on.   I've got those memorized.        Never had another problem from any of those officers.

There are a lot of areas of the law that the average patrolman is not an expert in.   I guess you can't expect them to memorize the whole lawbook,   but the relevant parts regarding firearms and assault weapons (thought the term is misapplied) are parts they SHOULD know.

CJ