What To Do If You Get Pulled Over

[entropy]

I realize that the Minnesota shooting thread is closed until more details are available, but I thought I'd post this "What to do" information from the Wisconsin CCW web site.

The state has no specific law that states how to engage the officer, but they do have a recommended procedure. Although it is written regarding the driver, it is equally applicable to passengers, put your hands on the dash board instead of the steering wheel. I wish all the states would uniformize the procedure.

"What should I do if I have a CCW license and I have contact with a law enforcement officer while in possession of a concealed weapon?

While the law does not impose any specific requirements other than displaying a photo ID and CCW license upon request of a law enforcement officer, there are some recommended actions you should take when you have contact with a law enforcement officer. Contact can include a traffic or other stop and situations where you contact an
officer or when an officer approaches you for information or otherwise. If you have CCW license and you have contact with a law enforcement officer while carrying a concealed weapon, you should do the following:

1. Immediately tell the officer that you're carrying a concealed weapon and where it's located.
2. Keep your hands where the officer can see them.
3. Cooperate fully with the officer.
4. Don't make any quick movements, especially toward the weapon.
5. If you're in a vehicle:
• Roll down your window and place your hands in plain view on the steering wheel
• If it is at night, turn on the vehicle's dome light.
• Calmly tell the officer you have a CCW license and that you have a weapon with you. Ask the officer if they have particular instructions concerning the weapon.
• Do not touch or attempt to touch the weapon unless specifically told to do so by the officer.
• Do not leave your vehicle unless specifically told to do so by the officer.
In certain circumstances, a law enforcement officer may ask to take temporary possession of the weapon or may seize the weapon during interaction with the individual to ensure the safety of the officer and others or to secure the weapon as evidence. The
officer will return the weapon at the end of the stop unless the individual is placed under arrest for a violation of the law that allows the weapon to be seized."

The only thing I would change is to tell the officer that you are a CCW
holder first. If you tell the officer first that you have a concealed weapon, he may assume you are a threat.

I live in WI and have had 2 such encounters. Neither time did the officer ask, nor did I volunteer that I was carrying. I was raised by a cop, so I know the drill otherwise; hands in plain view, don't get out license until told, follow directions, don't talk back, and be courteous; Yes Sir, Ma'am, etc. It goes a long way towards a smooth interaction.

Both encounters resulted in warnings; one, muffler, the other, tabs.

 

[AgentFlounder]

No duty to notify here. And as far as I have found, officers here will not see CHP info attached to our records.

But this recent event reaffirms my intent to *not* notify by default. No sense in training the officers to expect it. I might notify under certain scenarios at my discretion.

Ironically I was pulled over on the way home from my ccw class. I had no idea why. Expired tags, turns out.

When stopped I like to get the insurance, registration and wallet out before the approach. I keep hands visible. Move slowly. Interact courteously. Narrate what I am doing if I sense tension or if action might be threatening, etc.

The stop went smoothly, as have the others before, and this officer was one of the friendlier ones.

In 30 years of driving, I have been pulled over three times for speeding, once for failure to yield, twice for expired tags, and once for taillight. The twice I got a warning. I drive like a grandma but somehow Johnny law is often present to bust me on the rare occasions I don't. But, never had any problems with a traffic stop.

We had a discussion in the class about this very topic. There were a couple black people in attendance and we discussed that it *is* different for them, unfortunately. And I am very troubled and saddened to see that proven true in real life by this horrible scenario.

sent from my commodore 64

 

[jdc1244]

Lack of consensus is clearly part of the problem.

 

[Kingcreek]

I will choose to inform a LEO, but I will NOT use the word "GUN".

The first words out of my mouth will be:
I am a LAWFUL CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT HOLDER. I have a PERMIT and a properly concealed and secured firearm. HOW DO YOU WANT TO PROCEED?

My hands will be at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel until instructed otherwise.

 

[Sam1911]

For a variety of reasons, I do not inform unless required by the laws of the state I'm in.

I've had a few traffic stops. I know how they generally go. I carry things in a way such that I'm very unlikely to have to reach anywhere near my gun -- or lean in such a way that I might expose my gun -- to retrieve any papers I need to show.

If ever asked to get out of the vehicle for some reason, I would re-evaluate based on the situation as I see it developing.

 

[ilbob]

It seems to me there is something wrong when we have to take special care and act in a servile way so as to not to be murdered by a government agent while committing no crime and are not a threat to anyone.

 

[jmorris]

When I get pulled over I roll down the window and put both hands where my fingers can be seen outside as the cop walks up.

Must be odd enough that many ask right then if I have weapons in the car. So I tell them where they are and one is generally "right next to my wallet" as the next things they are going to want are in there.

So when they ask me for my licenses and insurance I then say to them "I am going to get my wallet." and do so slowly and using one hand.

I did happen across a road block once where the officer was not coming up from the rear of the car and I was in the process of driving so I left my hands on top of the steering wheel.

When he asked if I had any firearms I said "that one." and noting up with my thumb. He bend down and noticed he was looking at the muzzle and said "Oh." Then took a step back.

Do what they say, tell them what your going to do before you do it. Don't be a jerk or do jerky things and we all get to go home.

 

[goldpelican]

Just a note regarding sitting on your wallet while driving. Plenty of people attribute lower back pain to sitting on a wallet while driving - I always place mine in either the console or the door handle depending on which vehicle I'm in. While I do this for comfort, it has the side effect of being able to retrieve my ID without needing to "reach behind me".

So where you carry your DL in the first place should be considered.

 

[Sam1911]

It seems to me there is something wrong when we have to take special care and act in a servile way so as to not to be murdered by a government agent while committing no crime and are not a threat to anyone.

Extra points for picking the most inflammatory way of conveying essentially the wrong message.


Being shot by a cop who has detained you to investigate a suspected violation of law, because he mistakes your movements to be you reaching for a gun is not a MURDER.

It may not be a justified homicide, and the officer may end up losing his career and even going to jail for it, but calling it murder is simply deliberate sloppiness intended to rile up people's feelings, and you should probably be ashamed of yourself for doing that.


Further, there is a big difference from having to act in a "servile" way in the face of "government agents," and in acting with care not to telegraph hostile and potentially lethal intent when you're in what is universally understood to be an armed encounter with a police officer enforcing the law.

You may act with dignity, and you may uphold your own rights. There is nothing "servile" in acting with care and mindfulness that everyone in the situation is under stress and that encounters like this sometimes turn lethal for both officers and those being detained.


Obviously mistakes were made here. And it is likely that there will be further serious penalties to come. But none of us here should stoop to the sorts of gross emotional pandering exemplified in statements like this.

 

[dust_101]

Sam making sensible statements yet again.

Everyone has the right to proceed as they so desire. You can make the decision yourself.

I personally want to get home to my family and be sure my kids have me present, so I know how I will proceed.

 

[yugorpk]

Name, rank and serial number. Anything else you are going to have to work for.

 

[Robert]

We have covered this topic dozens of times or more in the past. It always ends in a stalemate. It always ends heated with police bashing, some of which we have already seen, and personal attacks. Based on my past experience with this type of thread I am shutting it down as I have never known them to produce much good.