Courtesy to LEO while carrying

[BigRedBowtie]

well, thanks for all your input, everyone... Most of your advice/ chosen methods of dealing with this situation go right down the line of what I've heard before. I like the idea of handing an officer a card that says "I'm not nuts, or a felon, or a drunk, I'm over 21 and responsible, and I want you to know that I have no intentions of surprising you" On the other hand, I (and my wife) am legal, and there is merit to the idea that if I'm gonna stay in the car and if Of. Friendly won't see my weapon, well... then is nun'ya business. Third, I really like the hummer idea... but I think I'll take a new diesel excursion for the wife, too.

I have dark-tinted windows on all of my vehicles, so I have always put the windows down, turned the lights on and gotten my wallet out before I needed it, then keeping my hands on the wheel. Come to think of it, I usually turn the car off, too- to remove the threat of me fleeing. So, this is the advice I gave my wife, she followed it, and all it got her was a whole pile of attitude from the cop.

At any rate, we (small suburb, here) have a new police chief taking over monday, and he's a good customer of ours, so I may go chat with him sometime- just to get his opinion.

BigRedcan'twaitforthecourtdateBowtie

 

[Chris Rhines]

All my first and second-hand experience leads me to believe that one should not inform a police officer that he is carrying a concealed weapon unless he is legally required to do so.

- Chris

 

[artherd]

I have dark-tinted windows on all of my vehicles, so I have always put the windows down, turned the lights on and gotten my wallet out before I needed it, then keeping my hands on the wheel.

Very good idea, I always do this. I was asked by a currious officer once why. I said "Well, several family friends of mine are LE. They tell me the most nerve-racking things they do are traffic stops. I figure it's common courteousy to you guys."

No ticket that night.

 

[Tom Servo]

Very good idea, I always do this. I was asked by a currious officer once why. I said "Well, several family friends of mine are LE. They tell me the most nerve-racking things they do are traffic stops. I figure it's common courteousy to you guys."

I've done the same thing a few times. In Georgia, they'll actually ASK sometimes why you've handed them the CCW if it's just a traffic stop. My response has always been, "if I were in your shoes, I sure as heck wouldn't want any surprises." They appreciate this.

 

[CrudeGT]

Here is Salt Lake we are required to notify the officers present of our permit and our concealed carry. I always do so as soon as they come to the car. They'll ask for the usual DL, registration, insurance, and I'll respond "I also have a Concealed Carry Permit" and my concealed carry is on me" Or, if my gun is in the glove box, it's usually on top of my registration. So I'll notify them "My concealed carry is in my glove box, I need to get in there to get my registration, just so you don't frek when you see a gun in there" Most of them don't think anything of it, as soon as they see the permit.


I did have an interesting experience once, the officers asked me to open my glove box, as I reach for it, I hear that distinctive click of the thumb button on his holster being uncliped. I open the glove box, he asks me to place the firearm on my passenger seat, and hand him the registration. I do so, he asks me to place the gun back in my glovebox, lock my glovebox, and restart my car.

I thought this through, smart cop. I can't get into my glovebox without the key that's in my ignition. If my car stops, he knows what I'm doing. And he's got my DL, insurance, registration, and Permit. He knows I'm not going anywhere.