In Viramontes v. Cook County the New York Police Department told the Supreme Court New York City residents should have weaker Second Amendment rights than others due to crowding. Officers would rarely know without a close inquiry if someone carrying a so-called assault weapon was lawful, unlike concealed-only handgun licensing that treats an openly seen gun as probable cause, which would vanish because those rifles must be carried in view. Other agencies welcomed civilian help against crime, but the department said public possession of especially powerful firearms makes policing harder and more dangerous.