Positive LEO Interaction

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Craig_AR

Craig_AR

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Was in a fender bender today in a very small Tennessee town - got rear-ended at low speed by a teen in his dad's pick-em-up. Town police officer happened by and joined us within two minutes. I approached him as he was walking over and handed him my out-of-state driver's license and concealed carry permit, telling him I was carrying. He calmly asked where the gun was, I told him, and he asked that I put it in my car's glove box until we finished with all the reporting on the accident. No panic, no request to hold the firearm, all calm and polite and easy.

Two more local LEOs arrived, (slow Sunday, you know), and in talking to one of them, found that the attending officer is brand new on the force, in his final week of field training - the new arrival was his Field Training Officer. I told the FTO about how the young officer handled my carry report, complimenting him on his professionalism.

Really nice to be reminded that LEOs are, and most often act like, the good guys we want them to be.

BTW, TN is really good about honoring most all other states' concealed carry permits. I had checked that before the trip.
 
Did you tell the LEO you were conducting a perfectly legal CCW because the law requires it, or because it is a personal preference?

I do not disclose it unless it is a requirement in the state I reside with one caveat: I do not feel compelled to tell LEOs about my firearm unless I believe they are going to discover it on their own, at which point I will calmly mention it.

Sounds like you met a professional LEO.
 
I love going to TN. I have not had a negative run in with LEO's yet, and hope not to. The last time I went through a traffic check, I handed the officer my CCW permit and informed him that my pistol was on my side and loaded. He said "good for you, they aren't much good at home"

I only wish more officers realized that the CCW holders are not usually a threat to them. I know there are some bad eggs, but generally speaking.

My local sheriff is a Democrat(and a gun supporter), he tell everyone that the CCW holders are the very least of his worries. He has pushed to keep CCW permit holders the ability to carry in county parks. While the commissioners were fighting it hard, he fought it tooth and nail. I am lucky that here in this par of NC, firearms have always been part of our lives, Democrat or Republican. With more and more moving in the area too many things are changing.
 
Like the map shows, here in Texas, you must inform. However in a number of episodes, when I do inform, all they ask is if I have a handgun and when I say yes, they ask if I would put it in the glove box until we are done. EZ to do and they and I are happy.
 
I have had a few run ins with LE in the past couple years while carrying. Most recently I hit a bear on the interstate. I handed my CCDW to the officer with my license and ins. He didn't even comment about it. When he asked me if I wanted to go look at the bear,his partner opened the back door on the cruiser. I again informed them I was carrying. He looked me up and down and said" Where is it"? I told him it was in my pocket. He said,"Well just keep it there" and I got in the car and went to look at the bear.

Another time about a year ago I was "testing out" the new clutch in my car and didn't realize I was being followed. When he pulled me, he asked me for my license and before I reached for my wallet I told him I was carrying and that's where my gun was. He said "You're not gonna shoot me are you"? I said," no, but I didn't want you to notice it at the same time I was reaching in that direction". He said, "Well I appreciate that". I think that had something to do with why he let me go without a citation.

Another time about a year ago I was testing out a new clutch in my car and didn't realize
 
but I didn't want you to notice it at the same time I was reaching in that direction".
Click to expand...

And that is why it can be a good idea to inform even if you're not reqired to. You never know when or how the officer will notice your firearm and how he'll react once he sees it. By telling him ahead of time, you're making it known without it being a startling discovery.
 
Ragnar Danneskjold said:
And that is why it can be a good idea to inform even if you're not reqired to. You never know when or how the officer will notice your firearm and how he'll react once he sees it. By telling him ahead of time, you're making it known without it being a startling discovery.
Click to expand...
As always, applying a little common sense goes a long way. Yes, there are going to be circumstances where it MAY be prudent to tell an LEO about the fact that you are lawfully carrying. For me however, the standard is keeping it to myself unless I feel otherwise constrained by the circumstances of the situation. It's a judgement call.

I follow the letter of the law, and treat the LEO in a courteous manner. I do not act like I have something to hide, nor display any indicators of anxiety that might give the LEO the heebie jeebies. This formula for success has not failed me yet.
 
Personally, I don't mind having to inform (OH resident here). I'd much rather that the officer know I'm carrying, than see my handgun when I'm going for my wallet and misread the situation and have things go south. I know that sounds like a stretch, but I like to plan for the worst and expect the best.
 
MedWheeler said:
And yet another thread about a positive LEO interaction begins the slide into a "should or should not notify when not required" one...
Click to expand...
As well it should, considering this forum is primarily about 2nd amendment rights. I see nothing wrong with a cordial conversation on the subject.

There hasn't been any mud-slinging or name-calling yet :)
 
I think Johnny Dollar hit the nail squarely on the head. It comes down to how you're wired, if you're of the inform mindset you're going to until you have a bad experience because you did and nothing you read here is going to change that.

Similarly, if you are a non informer it's highly likely that no one here is going to change your opinion.

So, absent a legal requirement, do what you think best
 
Don't get me wrong, I don't WANT to inform them, it is the law. I definatly do not want my pistol taken while I talk to an officer. But shy of what I already do (writing my reps.) there is only two option, 1. Carry and tell them. 2. Not carry.

I have had numerous interactions with LEO's over the last several years and never an issue. When I am in TN, which is often, I don't report it to them. It might help that a bad attitude would not fly in my area. My whole county has 26,000. We had two police officers in the past 20 years that had a bad attitude, each lasted less than a year before finding employment and residence elsewhere.

If I run across an officer that gives me an attitude because of being a CCW holder, I will deal with that when it happens. I always suspect it will happen, every time I hand them the permit. But I will give them the benefit of the doubt until then, just because I have to tell them... Trust me if I have a bad experience, you will see it on YouTube and the news and any other media that will report it.


Trunk monkey & Johnny dollar, you are right. I do go into the situation with best of intentions, so far I have not had a problem. But as far as your question trunk monkey, I personally do not think you should have to inform them. It is none of their business.
 
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CharlieDeltaJuliette said:
But as far as your question trunk monkey, I personally do not think you should have to inform them. It is none of their business.
Click to expand...

I didn't ask a question but I do agree that informing adds a needless detail to the interaction, I've just given up on trying to change anyone's mind on the subject.
 
I do not notify, and would not have done so in the OP's situation. I also would have politely refused to follow the LEO's request that I place my firearm in the car. :cool:
 
To the OP:

Congratulations! I've found that most police officers are extremely professional in how they go about their business. I'm glad you had such a positive approach.


My two cents on the ongoing discussion about yes/no to revealing a concealed weapon to LEO:

This is circumstantial, and a matter of preference as well as law.

1. If the law requires it, then I comply in accordance with the law.

2. If the law does NOT require it and LEO asks me, then I will inform the officer.

3. If the law does NOT require it but I think the circumstances warrant it, then I will inform the officer.

As to whether or not police officers are testosterone boosted ego trips, I've found that, like most other walks of life, there are good people and there are bad people. Certainly most are simply trying to do their jobs to the best of their abilities. I don't let the few bad apples spoil the bushel.

In the routine business of a LEO's life, few situations can impose more unpredictibily or danger than a "routine" traffic stop, in my opinion. Being called to a scene with violence in progress at least has the advantage of foreknowledge.

When pulled over, I park the car, turn the engine off, roll down my window, and keep both my hands on the steering wheel. When I had tinted windows on an older car, I rolled the other windows down, as well. I want NO surprises popping up for armed the LEO approaching my car.

When asked for my DL, registration, and proof of insurance, I tell the LEO exactly where each is so that he knows what to expect when I reach for them. When done obtaining them, my hands go back on the steering wheel.

And, at all times, I'm polite...and I've NEVER been treated rudely.

The LEO doesn't know me from Adam. He doesn't know if I've been drinking, if I'm on drugs, if I'm a criminal, if I'm already having a bad day, if I have anger management issues, if my wife has taken our chlidren and left me, or any other thing about me other than what he finds out when he calls me in.

Some people may roll their eyes at this...some may even think it buttering up the officer. I don't care. I consider it a mark of prudence and respect to one who is performing a potentially dangerous job. Like everybody else, every LEO wants to go home to their family and friends each and every day.
 
Me too.^^^
As a young man I behaved poorly. As a result I had many encounters and that method worked for me well. Still does. I am not likely to fix what isn't broke no matter how many times I watch the law professor's infomercial for his book.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2
 
RetiredUSNChief said:
To the OP:

Congratulations! I've found that most police officers are extremely professional in how they go about their business. I'm glad you had such a positive approach.


My two cents on the ongoing discussion about yes/no to revealing a concealed weapon to LEO:

This is circumstantial, and a matter of preference as well as law.

1. If the law requires it, then I comply in accordance with the law.

2. If the law does NOT require it and LEO asks me, then I will inform the officer.

3. If the law does NOT require it but I think the circumstances warrant it, then I will inform the officer.

As to whether or not police officers are testosterone boosted ego trips, I've found that, like most other walks of life, there are good people and there are bad people. Certainly most are simply trying to do their jobs to the best of their abilities. I don't let the few bad apples spoil the bushel.

In the routine business of a LEO's life, few situations can impose more unpredictibily or danger than a "routine" traffic stop, in my opinion. Being called to a scene with violence in progress at least has the advantage of foreknowledge.

When pulled over, I park the car, turn the engine off, roll down my window, and keep both my hands on the steering wheel. When I had tinted windows on an older car, I rolled the other windows down, as well. I want NO surprises popping up for armed the LEO approaching my car.

When asked for my DL, registration, and proof of insurance, I tell the LEO exactly where each is so that he knows what to expect when I reach for them. When done obtaining them, my hands go back on the steering wheel.

And, at all times, I'm polite...and I've NEVER been treated rudely.

The LEO doesn't know me from Adam. He doesn't know if I've been drinking, if I'm on drugs, if I'm a criminal, if I'm already having a bad day, if I have anger management issues, if my wife has taken our chlidren and left me, or any other thing about me other than what he finds out when he calls me in.

Some people may roll their eyes at this...some may even think it buttering up the officer. I don't care. I consider it a mark of prudence and respect to one who is performing a potentially dangerous job. Like everybody else, every LEO wants to go home to their family and friends each and every day.
Click to expand...
it is funny when people say how dangerous a cops job is and pulling someone over is the most dangerous. most of the time they make up things to pull people over. they drive around all day and hide behind bushes hoping to pull someone over. if one ever gets fired the union moves heaven and earth at the request of the fired officer so he can get his "dangerous" job back
 
I was involved in an accident a couple of years ago while carrying a gun. Big chunk of firewood fell out of my trailer and into oncoming traffic. Pretty ugly, airbags deployed, car non-driveable. I checked on the folks in the other car, everybody was ok, police came, we exchanged information, I got a ticket, everybody went on their way.

I didn't inform the officer I was carrying. He knew I had a CHP, because he ran my plates. He probably saw my gun since I was "indifferently concealed." Nobody made an issue out of it.

That's a positive LEO interaction.
 
Craig_VA said:
and he asked that I put it in my car's glove box until we finished with all the reporting on the accident. No panic, no request to hold the firearm, all calm and polite and easy.
Click to expand...

So, it is safer to ask you to handle your gun unnecessarily in pubic, increasing the chance of a negligent discharge, in order to remove it from it's safe storage location in the holster on your body into a relatively unattended glove box?

At least he was calm and polite while he was asking you to handle your gun in public without need to do so.
 
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