ATBackPackin
Member
I decided that I wanted to share my interaction with the PA State Police over Memorial Day weekend with everyone here at The High Road.
On Saturday while driving on the turnpike I passed an officer on the side of the road while speeding. He immediately pulled out and hit the lights, so without a doubt he was coming after me, I went ahead and pulled over. I was getting my license out when he walked up and checked my license plate, inspection stickers, and VIN. The officer finally approached my window and asked for my license, registration, and proof of insurance. I handed him my license, but said there was a problem with the registration and proof of insurance. I continued to explain that they were in the glove box and that I had a pistol in there as well. I stated that I didn't want him to walk up and see me reaching in there where there was also a pistol. I usually do not volunteer that I have a gun, but I didn't want to be seen reaching toward one and risk getting shot. He walked around to the passenger side of the car and pointed to the door. I responded that the door was unlocked thinking he was going to take possession of the gun. He told me to put the window down which I did and then waited for him to open the glove box to take possession of the gun. "Go ahead", he said. So very slowly I opened the glove box and with two fingers took the holstered gun and laid it the seat. I then retrieved the paperwork he wanted and handed it to him. He was standing in a defensive position with his hand on his gun while I did so, but did not seem threatened by me at all. Of course he had no reason to be but he did not know that. He did ask me if I had a LTCF (License To Carry Firearms), which I said yes and handed it to him. "I've been on the job for 25 years and usually have a good idea when someone wants to shoot me", he said. With the pistol still on the seat he told me that I was going to receive a citation and he would be back in about ten minutes.
He returned and said, "I cut you a break and gave you a citation for a turnpike violation instead of a speeding ticket. There are no points, no speed even indicated on the citation, and the fine is not as expensive as it would have been. Fair enough."
"More than fair sir", I said and thanked him. He explained what I needed to do to pay it and told me to be safe. I told him to be safe too and thanked him again.
My reason for sharing this is not that he cut me a break, but rather his complete professionalism throughout the interaction. He didn't act like a gun nut and ask me about my guns or anything like such. However, he also did not become all defensive and on edge after finding out I was armed. We often criticize LEO's and rightfully so sometimes, so I wanted to congratulate this officer and the PA State Police for his complete professionalism and not being threatened by an armed citizen.
If by chance he sees this, thanks again.
Shawn
On Saturday while driving on the turnpike I passed an officer on the side of the road while speeding. He immediately pulled out and hit the lights, so without a doubt he was coming after me, I went ahead and pulled over. I was getting my license out when he walked up and checked my license plate, inspection stickers, and VIN. The officer finally approached my window and asked for my license, registration, and proof of insurance. I handed him my license, but said there was a problem with the registration and proof of insurance. I continued to explain that they were in the glove box and that I had a pistol in there as well. I stated that I didn't want him to walk up and see me reaching in there where there was also a pistol. I usually do not volunteer that I have a gun, but I didn't want to be seen reaching toward one and risk getting shot. He walked around to the passenger side of the car and pointed to the door. I responded that the door was unlocked thinking he was going to take possession of the gun. He told me to put the window down which I did and then waited for him to open the glove box to take possession of the gun. "Go ahead", he said. So very slowly I opened the glove box and with two fingers took the holstered gun and laid it the seat. I then retrieved the paperwork he wanted and handed it to him. He was standing in a defensive position with his hand on his gun while I did so, but did not seem threatened by me at all. Of course he had no reason to be but he did not know that. He did ask me if I had a LTCF (License To Carry Firearms), which I said yes and handed it to him. "I've been on the job for 25 years and usually have a good idea when someone wants to shoot me", he said. With the pistol still on the seat he told me that I was going to receive a citation and he would be back in about ten minutes.
He returned and said, "I cut you a break and gave you a citation for a turnpike violation instead of a speeding ticket. There are no points, no speed even indicated on the citation, and the fine is not as expensive as it would have been. Fair enough."
"More than fair sir", I said and thanked him. He explained what I needed to do to pay it and told me to be safe. I told him to be safe too and thanked him again.
My reason for sharing this is not that he cut me a break, but rather his complete professionalism throughout the interaction. He didn't act like a gun nut and ask me about my guns or anything like such. However, he also did not become all defensive and on edge after finding out I was armed. We often criticize LEO's and rightfully so sometimes, so I wanted to congratulate this officer and the PA State Police for his complete professionalism and not being threatened by an armed citizen.
If by chance he sees this, thanks again.
Shawn
