Nope, you didn't do anything wrong. But the cop didn't do anything wrong, either.
Unfortunately, some out there appear to be oblivious to the fact that we've had, in the very recent past, mass shootings at places like schools, theaters, and parking lots. They also appear to believe that anyone and everyone around them should KNOW their intent, regardless of their actions.
Wrong. I don't care what has been in the news recently, it does't make the situation illegal. Everyone around them SHOULD wait to see their intent. Two guys talking and examining a gun in the parking lot shouldn't arouse even the slightest worry. If one of them was visible upset or they were constantly looking over their shoulder you might have cause for concern. The simple presence of a gun does not mean a crime is about to be committed.
They're apparently unaware that crime is predicated on 'intent' and I guess the thinking is that, before LEO's or anyone else investigates or interjects, those observing should stand by idly and 'wait to see' if their intent is to actually perpetrate a crime. Then, IF they actually DO perpetrate a crime, react.
Again, wrong. Cops SHOULD wait in a situation like this to see someone's intent. If the two guys were happily talking to each other in public examining a gun, a little common sense would lead to the belief that they weren't going to shoot up the gas station.
Such thinking in this day and age is both naïve, and foolhardy. Why not meet outside a bank, or maybe a school?
I would argue it is naive and foolhardy to think that everyone with a gun is a criminal.
Think about it. WHY didn't the Buyer and Seller meet at the home of one or the other? Usually the response is "for safety reasons". That's fine. At the same time, don't they have a responsibility to consider the safety concerns of all others in that same public place that aren't involved in the transaction?
We're all glad this was just an innocuous transaction, but those around them could not possibly have known it was innocuous. So the response from the LEO was appropriate. A little better planning in the future on the part of the Buyer and Seller will diminish or prevent such incidents.
Better to plan ahead, and perhaps avoid places like gas stations, banks, schools, and other such places where prior lethal incidents have recently transpired.
Better to be proactive and figure this out now. 'Cause if an inadvertent and unfortunate incident happens with such a FtF transaction, the gun-grabbers will most assuredly use the incident to blast pro-gunners, and ban such transactions altogether.
Which is what they're ALREADY trying to do. WHY give them a valid reason?
Responded in red.