Pulled over while CCW

MarkDido said:

But only if they're independent truckers or their company allows it. I drove for Schneider National for 5 years after I retired (company driver) and they absolutely prohibited firearms in their vehicles.

My in-truck security consisted of a stout bungee cord connecting both doors and my trusty 'tire thumper'

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There's a whole world of difference between against company policy and illegal, however. The post by PistolPete45 stating that it was illegal to carry in a commercial vehicle is erroneous, and he has not come back to answer where he got his misinformation.

NavyLCDR said:

There's a whole world of difference between against company policy and illegal, however. The post by PistolPete45 stating that it was illegal to carry in a commercial vehicle is erroneous, and he has not come back to answer where he got his misinformation

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He is probably roaming the North Carolina mountains with his .45, far away from the keyboard on this long weekend.

He'll be back...someday. I'll bet my exhibit truckees on it!

My CCW class instructors (retired LEOs) said that in Florida:
a) there is no good reason to tell an officer that you are carrying; and
b) if asked if there are any weapons in your car, you should always say no.

I don't remember the whole conversation, but I am guessing that telling them about weapons is just giving them permission to search your car, or something like that. If you just keep your mouth shut you should be fine, assuming that you keep your weapon concealed and stay away from it.

On a side note, my friend in Ohio got pulled over at about 30mph over the speed limit and got out of his ticket because the LEO was gun friendly. When he informed the LEO that he had a concealed weapons permit the LEO smiled and said "have a nice day."

Gunslinger One said:

In Ohio you have a duty to inform LE.

Both hands on the wheel.. First thing you do before cop has a chance to say anything.

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From what I understand , when they run your lic plate it comes up also as a CCW holder. Your drivers license confirms it's you and the holder.

jmorris,

I really like that rig you've got set up there.


Where'd you get that? I want one.

Wow, I am glad that I don't live in Missouri. Here in Washington it is not expected that someone will call the cops just because they see someone carrying a gun - it is rather rare here that someone would.

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Not that it's expected. Most people here are back woods, blue collar folks who generally are carrying themselves. Most of the time the person would have just have been told his guns showing. But we have more and people moving down from STL city and they're not so gun savy. So it becoming more of the norm unfortunately.

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+1. Here in Alaska we literally have more guns than people in the state, even many otherwise touchy-feely leftists routinely carry for bear defense even if they don't believe in two-legged predator defense, and a portion of the population subsistence hunts and rely on their guns to put food on the table.

None of that stops people here in Anchorage occasionally calling APD to report they (gasp) saw a guy carrying a gun in complete accordance with the law (which the callers do not understand, or only understand in its California version or where ever they are from and should go back to).

jmorris,

I really like that rig you've got set up there.


Where'd you get that? I want one.

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Made it myself, atv gun mounts and box tubing to mount in the Jeep soft door mounts in the "roll bar".

To the OP, that's the way to do it

I have had the SAME experience

A warning every time


I see some posters that are seeming to look for a conflict with the police.
Most of these guys are just doing their job and trying to get home at the end of the shift.

I think the cops respect the approach and give the speeder a break

I see some posters that are seeming to look for a conflict with the police.

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I tend to disagree. By not informing if not legally required to, I believe that is exactly what some posters are trying to AVOID. I'd much rather keep my concealed weapon concealed, handle the matter at hand, and be on my way, ticket or not, as opposed to being disarmed, having an officer who may not be familiar with my firearm attempt to "clear" it before unnecessarily running my private property to see if for some reason it is "stolen" without any possible indication it may be. Its not only a matter of it being my right to handle it in such a way, but its also a safety issue. The more my gun is handled, especially by someone who may not be familiar with its operation, the greater the risk to both me and the officer. A holstered gun, announced or unannounced, isn't a threat to either of us. I comply with all laws, but see no need to volunteer certain information just to "make his job easier" when it can have possible negative impact on myself. Volunteering more information than is necessary has lead to more than one person being arrested when he/she never knew they were even in violation of the law...hence, my assertion that by giving the required information and nothing else is the smartest course of action in any encounter with law enforcement. I'm not looking FOR a confrontation, I am actively trying to avoid one ever occurring in the first place.

short barrel said:

A police officer's main concern is staying alive.

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Dean1818 said:

Most of these guys are just doing their job and trying to get home at the end of the shift.

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Exactly how does me telling the officer about my license and gun do ANYTHING to help that officer stay alive or get home at the end of the shift? I'm still waiting for the answer to that question. Again, my gun is not going to jump out of the holster on it's own and start shooting because I don't tell the officer about it. If you walk into a convenience store at night, does telling the clerk about your license and gun make them safer? Most convenience store clerks are much more defenseless against the actions of a criminal than a police officer is.

NavyLCDR, I think people have this strange misguided notion that an undeclared pistol will somehow result in getting shot. I'm not sure why, but people have this notion that upon discovery of a firearm, police will shoot first and ask questions later. I obviously disagree, but I do believe this is an unspoken fear among many of those advocating for immediately declaring you are armed. Otherwise, someone advocating such things would be able to give an answer to your as of yet unanswered question regarding officer safety. The less any forearm is handled, be it mine, the officers, or cousin Larry's from Timbuktu, the less change there is for a negligent discharge. By suggesting everyone involved keep their guns holstered, I'm advocating for the safest of all possible actions

RustyShackelford said:

I think the main point in any traffic stop or LE contact(deputy, state trooper, etc) is to; stay calm, avoid any jittery or rapid movements, speak slowly & clearly, avoid humor/sarcasism/profanity, having your documents ready.

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Sure sounds like a free country doesn't it?

Davek1977 said:

Otherwise, someone advocating such things would be able to give an answer to your as of yet unanswered question regarding officer safety. The less any forearm is handled, be it mine, the officers, or cousin Larry's from Timbuktu, the less change there is for a negligent discharge. By suggesting everyone involved keep their guns holstered, I'm advocating for the safest of all possible actions

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I think another motivation for people notifying the officer is this:

Dean1818 said:

A warning every time

I think the cops respect the approach and give the speeder a break

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I carry my gun for self protection, and I carry my CPL because the government says I have to in order to carry in some circumstances. I won't use my CPL or offer to give up my gun to get out of the speeding ticket that I deserve.

I used to run about 50/50 getting warnings and getting tickets and my gun nor my CPL was never mentioned in any traffic stop by either the officer or myself. I have learned the best way to get out of a speeding ticket is to not speed in the first place.

I'm in Ohio and I got pulled over once. When the officer came to the window, he kindly thanked me for not pulling over on the side of the road and pulling into a hotel parking lot. Then he said that I was speeding and said he checked my plates and I was ok. He kindly said, I'm assuming you are carrying too and I smiled and said yes and he said good. Told me to slow it down through there because a lot of drug dealers have been coming through and they are stopping a lot of people for citations and checks. He told me to have a great night.

My CCW class instructors (retired LEOs) said that in Florida:
a) there is no good reason to tell an officer that you are carrying; and
b) if asked if there are any weapons in your car, you should always say no.

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I find it quite odd that a former LEO would tell someone that it is ever a good idea to lie to an LEO.

Only 10 states out of the 50 require us to notify the LEO that we are carrying.

That big majority has got it right. Why complicate life anymore than need be? I know dozens of LEO's. Every one that is not a complete dolt takes the position that every one is carrying. That's how you stay alive.

The officer also has the complete authority to ask anyone in any of the 50 states if he/she is carrying. Then we must comply truthfully. Does that not simplify the matter?

If they don't ask,don't tell. Unless you are in one of the 10. AK,AR,LA,NC,NE,MI,OH,OK,SC and TX.

and if it is all that dang important to them whether or not I am carrying a firearm, all they have to do is ask. In my experience, it has not been important enough to them to ask.

This has been fascinating reading. I must have a lot more speeding tickets than most of you so it's no big deal for me to be pulled over. As one poster noted, it's a while before they to your car while they are calling it in. I always get my license, reg and insurance and never have worried about keeping my hands on the wheel. I've been pulled over in different states I've lived with no issues. I do not understand how some of you are so uptight about a traffic stop.

And common sense in all situations, give no more information than asked for - keep your mouth closed.

As a citizen in one of the "must inform" states listed, I see the issue as black and white; if you don't have to inform, keep your mouth shut.

Declaring you have a concealed sidearm when not legally bound to, is letting the cop into the back door to fish/sniff around for things to make a felony arrest. Looks good on his record, if he wants to advance in the department.

To all the carriers who got a break from officer friendly when you informed when you didn't have to, fantastic. Take the advice to slow down.

Personally, I don't talk to cops. Except my friends. Nothing personal, just the way it is.

It's been years since I've been pulled-over for speeding, and I got a break from the officer to keep it off my insurance record. Was on a touring motorcycle with a 40 mph tailwind, and blew through a small town (only caution lights) not even knowing how fast I was going as there was no wind buffet on me or the bike. I was actually shocked at the radar clock, and fortunately, the other officer was a bike nut also and explained to the other officer that the tailwind made me feel like I was on a soft cloud, appearing to be barely moving. I got lucky that day as the ticket was reduced to a minor moving violation.

Last time I was stopped for speeding.

My wife said you just have to show em some cleavage





Seriously though, you just need to be courteous..I usually get a warning. The last guy didnt even give me the written warning, and actually told me "being polite and respectful goes a long way". I try not to overdo it though.

I dont think they give much of a damn about your CCW gun. Well, if they walk up and get Jmorrissed then maybe

Working in a conservative county in Texas, I assume most people have guns in their cars. Whenever I come across folks who hand me a CHL and aren't armed, I encourage them to.

BullfrogKen said:

Did Utah change the duty to notify law? I recall back 10 years ago when I got mine, the class covered Utah carry law and it had a duty to notify back then.



Nevermind. Red Wing cross posted the answer.

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Yes. It was changed back in 2011.

The TN concealed carry permit has the same number as your drivers license. I have only been pulled over once since my permit was issued. The cop asked about weapons in the car first thing. I suspect it may show I have a permit on the screen in his car when he ran my plate numbers before getting out. I told him where it was located and he just said to leave it where it is and proceded to give me a warning. I always wondered if he would have made me unload it or something else if he had needed to make a trip back to his car writing the ticket etc.

We will never know. And of course ,another party, without a permit ,could have been legally driving your vehicle.

That's why smart LEO's take nothing for granted.

NavyLCDR said:

Exactly how does me telling the officer about my license and gun do ANYTHING to help that officer stay alive or get home at the end of the shift? I'm still waiting for the answer to that question. Again, my gun is not going to jump out of the holster on it's own and start shooting because I don't tell the officer about it. If you walk into a convenience store at night, does telling the clerk about your license and gun make them safer? Most convenience store clerks are much more defenseless against the actions of a criminal than a police officer is.

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Relax

No one is saying your gun will do some kind of gymnastics.
(But if it does jump out on its own and shoot someone.... please take some pictures)

Per my point I was trying to make, it seems some people look at each police person as someone that is always going to give them a hard time. They have a chip on their shoulder with EVERY LEO encounter.

I have seen people post that seem to SEEK a conflict

There is no need.

In Texas, I show my CCW, I get no tickets.......... I get pulled over and dont show my CCW, I get a ticket......

Its a Pavlovian kind of thing...........

These guys are doing a job..... They are like you and I in most cases

Unitl I get the idiot cop, I choose to NOT have a chip on shoulder when I deal with them

Buts that just my opinion