Pulled Over: Cop Wants to Know I have CHL

Status
Not open for further replies.

orygunmike

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2004
Messages
140
Location
Portland, Oregon by way of Southern California
an interesting conversation I had with an officer who pulled me over for not having my lights on after dark....

He pulls me over...takes my license and registration...and goes back to the cruiser....

When he returns he politely/professionally tells me, "in the future I would prefer that you tell me you have a concealed handgun license....we are going to find out anyway when we run you on the compueter"...

I'm dumbfounded....like..where did this come from?

I replied..."I didn't think that it was pertinent to being pulled over for a minor traffic infraction..and I know there is no state requirement for me to tell you that".....

He tells me, "no you are not required, and you are not in trouble for not telling me, but I would have prefer that you told me before I ran your license".

He didn't give me a ticket...which I'm thankful...and I wouldn't do anything different next time...

He never asked me if I was carrying my gun, which I was at the time.

I shook my head for an hour after that...I just couldn't figure out where he was coming from or what purpose telling him I have a CHL would have served. He might have well asked for my political party or my blood type.

Any LEOs know why this officer would want to know I have a CHL?
 
I don't know about Oregon, but here in Texas if you get pulled over you have to give the police your DL, CHL, and insurance cards.
 
Some states require notification and some states do not. I personally always show my license, even on the rare occasion that I am not carrying and I get pulled over. I've had great experiences with the police in these situations and none have ever involved any "paperwork" (tickets). One officer even gave me a lift during a freak snowstorm when my car slid off the road and got stuck in some ice.

Of course, if the local agencies were generally anti, I'd probably feel differently. At least around here, the police take the CHP as an indication that they're dealing with a non-criminal, responsible person.
 
I don't know about Oregon, but here in Texas if you get pulled over you have to give the police your DL, CHL, and insurance cards.

Required here in SC too, and several other states I travel in. I figure rather than trying to keep track of which one is which I'll just fork over all the cards at once, no surprises for anyone.

Also, I keep my proof of ins and reg on the overhead visor, not in the glovebox where the Judge lives. ;-)
 
His request is not legally binding. But you may consider it out of politeness.

In my state also your ccw pops up when they run your license. When the computer works. So far I have only once (and that was just to see what would happen) mentioned that I was carrying, and it was no big deal. I would DEFINITELY mention it if I heard the words, "Sir, I need you to step out of the car."

"No surprises" is good policy for everyone in a potentially tense situation with firearms present. I have no desire to make a LEOs job, tough enough as it is, any tougher. If I start getting requests from LEOs when they pull me over (I hope not soon), I'll start making mentioning my ccw routine. Out of good sense and politeness.

But I SURE HOPE they understand, as they should, that a guy around here with a ccw has been through every check you can imagine. Personally, if I were an LEO and the ccw popped up on the guy I just pulled over, I'd be relieved--hey, a good guy!
 
Only 10 states require it.Yours is not one of them.
You ran into a loose cannon.Move on and forget about it.
The decision is up to you in Oregon.Not the Officer.
Here in NC, I have no choice.I must disclose.
But I only disclose when in a compulsory state.
Lots of divided opinions on this issue to put it mildly.
We went through this 2 weeks ago.:uhoh:

Must notify LE states:AK,LA,MI,NE,NC,OH,OK,SC,TX and UT.
 
I don't think the cop was out of line. He made a request, he made it clear that it was a request. If I ran into that cop again I'd probably tell him right off just because he was polite about his request.

Colorado no requirement to inform

El Paso county my name doesn't pop up.

Every other cop I meet, (besides the nice one that politely requested it) I'm not saying a word.
 
I could understand him "wanting" to know out of curiosity or something, but how would knowing you CCW help him do his job better? Weird...
 
I just couldn't figure out where he was coming from or what purpose telling him I have a CHL would have served.
Assuming you live in a state where you do not have a duty to inform, he could be making this request for a couple of reasons.

First, it could save him the time and effort of running you through his computer. He might just be the type who would see the CHL, see that you are not intoxicated (a usual reason for no lights) figure you are an OK Joe, and tell you to turn your lights on.

Second, it can give him the opportunity to assess the fact that he has a generally law abiding citizen who might be armed while he is looking at you and making judgement calls on your demeanor. Although most CHL holders are responsible, some are not. The CHL would give him one more tidbit of information while he is looking at and assessing you. Remember he has to turn his back to you to return to his cruiser and run your license checking for warrants and such. If you have a CHL, the need to check for warrants is greatly reduced, and even if he does so, he will feel more at ease turning his back to you.

Let's face it. When we are pulled over by a LEO, it is usually for a reason. They are approaching an unknown quantity when they get out of their car to walk up to ours. Then they are having to make a quick judgement call of whether or not you are a threat, a habitual problem or whether you just made a mistake. Their life, their job, and your life can depend on whether their judgement is on the money. Your CHL helps them make that judgement. If they believe you just made a mistake, there is a fair chance you may just receive a warning. Your CHL shows them that you are or were at least at one time responsible enough to meet the minimum requirements mandated by the state you live in to carry a gun.

A CHL is nothing to be ashamed of. You won't get into trouble for having one. It provides a LEO with a bit of information about your character. It won't get you out of trouble with the law, and it shouldn't. It can, however, help the officer determine whether he should let you go. Some states require you to inform, citing officer safety. Other states see that as silly. If your state doesn't require you to inform, you don't have to. That doesn't mean you can't.

FWIW, in Louisiana, I am required to inform. More than once I have had my CHL handed back to me with a "I don't need this" response. I didn't argue, I just put the CHL back in my wallet. I've had officers chat with me about guns afterwards. I've also received at least one ticket, for an expired safety sticker (archaic Louisiana tax stamp placed on the windshield each year) although I showed my CHL.

Just because the officer would have wanted to see your CHL prior to running your driver's license doesn't mean he's anti-CCW or anti-gun. It doesn't mean he's trying to impose on you past his limit. Perhaps he's just asking you to help him help you. Plus, the officer might want to know the best way to conceal a 1911. You never know ;)

My 2 pesos.
 


slow944 said:
I don't know about Oregon, but here in Texas if you get pulled over you have to give the police your DL, CHL, and insurance cards.

Only if you are actually carrying or have a handgun in your possession at the time of the stop. See Texas Government Code 411.205

§ 411.205. DISPLAYING LICENSE; PENALTY. (a) If a
license holder is carrying a handgun on or about the license
holder's person when a magistrate or a peace officer demands that
the license holder display identification, the license holder shall
display both the license holder's driver's license or
identification certificate issued by the department and the license
holder's handgun license. A person who fails or refuses to display
the license and identification as required by this subsection is
subject to suspension of the person's license as provided by
Section 411.187.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person fails or
refuses to display the license and identification as required by
Subsection (a) after previously having had the person's license
suspended for a violation of that subsection. An offense under this
subsection is a Class B misdemeanor.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 10.01(a), eff. Sept. 1,
1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, § 9.17(a), eff.
Sept. 1, 1999.

If you're not carrying or have a handgun in your possession, then you are required only to present TDL and proof of liability insurance.

And an additional FYI, under TxPC 46.02, effective September 1, 2007, you may legally possess a handgun in your vehicle without a license and it must not be in plain sight

§ 46.02. UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONS. (a) A person
commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or
recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun, illegal
knife, or club if the person is not:
(1) on the person's own premises or premises under the
person's control; or
(2) inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle
that is owned by the person or under the person's control.
(a-1) A person commits an offense if the person
intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or
her person a handgun in a motor vehicle that is owned by the person
or under the person's control at any time in which:
(1) the handgun is in plain view; or
(2) the person is:
(A) engaged in criminal activity, other than a
Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance
regulating traffic;
(B) prohibited by law from possessing a firearm;
or
(C) a member of a criminal street gang, as
defined by Section 71.01.


 
Put yourself in the position of the officer, Would you want to know that someone you have stopped is armed? I darn sure would rather you tell me than find it out later and be surprised.
 
Last edited:
For those in the "required to inform states"...do you just have to say you have a permit or that you are armed or both?
 
Put yourself in the position of the officer, Would you want to know that someone you have stopped is armed? I darn sure would rather you tell me than find it out later and be surprised.

So, how do you apply that the the vast majority of folks who don't have a CHL? How does an officer know for sure in those cases?
 


I merely hand the officer my TDL, CHL and proof of insurance. At that point, a well trained officer might ask were the handgun is and I'll tell him. Only been disarmed once in 6 occasions in the past 12 years I've had contact with the police and ID requested.
 
When he returns he politely/professionally tells me, "in the future I would prefer that you tell me you have a concealed handgun license....we are going to find out anyway when we run you on the compueter"...

here's where you say "and I would prefer fat people not wear spandex, for hot women to buy me beer at bars, and to not have to bother getting a CHL in the first place'
 
Put yourself in the position of the officer, Would you want to know that someone you have stopped is armed? I darn sure would rather you tell me than find it out later and be surprised.

Shouldn't really matter to LEO unless they somehow find a concealed weapon. If I was LEO I would ASSUME everyone I stop is armed. Would seem to be the only prudent thing to help stay alive. Maybe he wants to know you are concealed since statistically that makes you a much lower threat than an average Joe and he can breathe a little easier.

I don't understand the stand offfishness some people show. If LEO know you carry if they run your data, then why NOT volunteer it?
 
For those in the "required to inform states"...do you just have to say you have a permit or that you are armed or both?
You are expected to hand the officer your CHL along with your driver's license. He has the option of asking you if you are armed, and also the option of disarming you for the length of the encounter if he deems it to be necessary.
 
This should've been covered in your CCW course. Yes, you need to inform the LEO about your permit out of courtesy.
_____________

Are you serious?Than why do 38 states not have the requirement by law?Forget courtesy.That's a personal decision.
You don't NEED to inform the LEO UNLESS you're in one of the 10 compulsory states.
I knew this was going to be another plutonium thread.
Let's get it on!:D

But I SURE HOPE they understand, as they should, that a guy around here with a ccw has been through every check you can imagine. Personally, if I were an LEO and the ccw popped up on the guy I just pulled over, I'd be relieved--hey, a good guy!

This makes a lot of sense.Do criminals disclose anything?We have to try to be realistic.Having to notify as law abiding citizens is an infringement.Those 10 states should junk that compulsory notification as bad,unconstitutional law and move forward.IMHO,of course.:fire:
 
There have been threads on here by people who were treated rudely and in an unsafe manner after they informed the police, so perhaps there are reasons not to do in some places. If your local police are used to the CCW laws, it probably won't be a problem. By "rudely" I mean handcuffed and verbally abused, by "unsafely" I mean an officer who did not know how to handle the specific type of gun or pointed it at the CCW person while trying to "make it safe."

No answer is always going to be right for every situation or every person. We are talking about human beings here, and they are all different.
 
Well, actually, considering where you live, it sounds like you got a very civil officer. Many in your neck of the Oregon woods are more anti- than pro-ccw.

No, Oregon does not have a duty to inform. This officer would have appreciated knowing in advance. Some don't care. And some will harass. We the people don't know which type of officer has pulled us over. So, in that light, since we don't have to inform, many choose not to.

He probably ran your plates before even coming up to talk to you. If you were driving your own car, he should have already known you had a CHL, as they can/should also run the DL of the vehicle's registered owner, which in your case would be flagged with the CHL info.

The only time I've been pulled over since I got my permit the officer asked if I had any guns in the car. Only at that point did I inform him that I did. He then asked where it was and if I had a permit, which I did and which I provided upon his request.

He also told me I was supposed to inform him I was carrying. He was wrong, but I didn't argue with him about it. No points to be made by doing so.

Will I inform first if there is a next time? Probably, depending on where in the state it happens. Will I after that? Depends on how the second occurrence unfolds. :)
 
Treo..

"Colorado no requirement to inform

El Paso county my name doesn't pop up.

Every other cop I meet, (besides the nice one that politely requested it) I'm not saying a word."


Bingo...

C
 
If you were driving your own car, he should have already known you had a CHL, as they can/should also run the DL of the vehicle's registered owner, which in your case would be flagged with the CHL info.

Happen to know what the process is by which they attach your CHL info to your DL/license plate/registartion? I have heard of this happening here before, and have also had people report they have asked OR LEO friends if the CHL info pops up and been told "no", so there seems to be some conflicting info on this, so I'm curious.I am NOT doubting ANYONE, here or otherwise's, statements, just curious due to conflicting reports.

Wonder if it varies by Sheriff/county of issue for the permit or something, if the info gets "attached" or not? That seems like the only explanation for the discrepency in reports I have read on the subject.

Any OR LEO's know the "facts" on this?
 
This should've been covered in your CCW course. Yes, you need to inform the LEO about your permit out of courtesy.
When I took my CHL course the officer teaching it instructed us NOT to inform, unless asked. Said that might make anti-gun cops uneasy. Personally that would put me more at ease but I'm not a LEO.

I'm torn between informing and not. I don't know if the majority of LEOs would give you the "good guy discount" or would think you are posturing by offering this like you are a wannabe (similar to a CCW badge) if it's not required. Probably depends on the officer.
I've been pulled over 3 times since getting my CHL. Never informed. The only one that asked me if I was armed was the same one that wrote me a ticket instead of giving me a warning. Probably coincidence but who knows.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top