AlexanderA
Member
Some of the other recent threads (about carrying in a non-reciprocity state, etc.) got me to thinking. Here's a question, for which I don't know the answer:
In my home state, the police have a database of all concealed-carry permit holders, tied in to car registrations. If I were to be pulled over for a traffic violation, the cop would know immediately (by running my license plate) that I had a permit. He would then approach the situation in a somewhat different manner (either pro or con, as the case may be). It wouldn't matter if I was actually carrying or not, at the moment. The same would apply if, say, my wife was driving the car. She would be approached as if she were carrying, even if she were not (and even if she didn't have a permit herself).
Now, here's my question -- does this database extend to other states, that have reciprocity with my home state? In other words, if I was driving in a neighboring state and was pulled over, would the cops have routine access to this information?
And a further question -- would this database of permit holders extend to non-reciprocity states, in other words on a nationwide basis? For example, if I was driving in California (heaven forbid) and got pulled over, would I be "red flagged" for having a concealed-carry permit in my home state? Let's say there were absolutely no guns actually involved -- would I be discriminated against procedurally? Would there be a suspicion that I might be carrying illegally?
Food for thought -- there might be reasons for not applying for a permit, when you consider the cascade of possible adverse consequences. Maybe getting a permit should not be a no-brainer decision. I think people are jumping on the concealed-carry permit bandwagon too hastily. Some of the same people who are worrying about gun registration -- that it might lead to confiscation -- are rushing to get carry permits. This is strangely contradictory. (BTW, this is a strong argument for Arizona-style "constitutional carry.")
(As a side note, having a registered machine gun in my state is not tied in to car registration. Go figure.)
In my home state, the police have a database of all concealed-carry permit holders, tied in to car registrations. If I were to be pulled over for a traffic violation, the cop would know immediately (by running my license plate) that I had a permit. He would then approach the situation in a somewhat different manner (either pro or con, as the case may be). It wouldn't matter if I was actually carrying or not, at the moment. The same would apply if, say, my wife was driving the car. She would be approached as if she were carrying, even if she were not (and even if she didn't have a permit herself).
Now, here's my question -- does this database extend to other states, that have reciprocity with my home state? In other words, if I was driving in a neighboring state and was pulled over, would the cops have routine access to this information?
And a further question -- would this database of permit holders extend to non-reciprocity states, in other words on a nationwide basis? For example, if I was driving in California (heaven forbid) and got pulled over, would I be "red flagged" for having a concealed-carry permit in my home state? Let's say there were absolutely no guns actually involved -- would I be discriminated against procedurally? Would there be a suspicion that I might be carrying illegally?
Food for thought -- there might be reasons for not applying for a permit, when you consider the cascade of possible adverse consequences. Maybe getting a permit should not be a no-brainer decision. I think people are jumping on the concealed-carry permit bandwagon too hastily. Some of the same people who are worrying about gun registration -- that it might lead to confiscation -- are rushing to get carry permits. This is strangely contradictory. (BTW, this is a strong argument for Arizona-style "constitutional carry.")
(As a side note, having a registered machine gun in my state is not tied in to car registration. Go figure.)