Excuse me officer, but I have a gun

[Zach S]

Here's what I do, don't speed. Drive the limit, it is safer, cheaper use of fuel and darn nears guarantees this won't happen.

Doing 60mph in a 60mph zone is kind of a hazard when you're doing, and no one else is. And for the record, my caprice gets much better gas mileage at 70mph than it does 60. At 60 it shifts between drive and overdrive a lot, at 70, not so much

Anyway, I just tell the officer that I have my CHP, and wether or not I'm armed. I've had one bad experiance in a nearby town, but other than that, I've never been disarmed, searched, or treated like a suspected drug smuggler.

Its unusual that the LEOs in Buncombe County actually look at my permit, most just glance at it. In a few cases disabled vehicles (one of them mine, two of them Mom's, and several thankful strangers), they didnt even ask for it.

 

[SamTuckerMTNMAN]

just be respectful

Show your character in your body language, follow the above posts. Police I have been stopped by respect a responsible shooter. Think about the average person they have to stop and take in. . . they deal with the dregs of society so often.

 

[MechAg94]

I have only been stopped a few times since I got my CHL. I don't get stopped very often and try stay under 10 MPH over the limit.

Anyway, I just hand them my DL, CHL, and insurance when they get to the window. I try to have all that out and my hands up on the steering wheel.

Twice the officer just asked me where it was and what I was carrying. Not much conversation though. I got a ticket once, but it was a speed trap situation where they were pulling in every other driver. We were all speeding so it wasn't that bad.

Once the officer had me get out and show him where I was carrying. I had my Kahr P9 in a belly strap and it was pretty well hidden under my T-shirt. He didn't disarm me, he just saw the belly band and said okay. I got a verbal warning on that one.

In most situations I think the officers see the CHL as an indication that I am not a criminal and highly unlikely to cause any trouble. I had heard there were problems in a few places right after the CHL law was passed, but I think the DPS and courts did a good job of squelching that. No blood on the streets or anything. DPS statistics have shown that CHL holders have a very very low crime rate compared to the rest of the population.

 

[romma]

2yrs ago I was on my may to the hospital to see my mother conscious on a respirator for the last time, I hit the car in front of me and had police involvement and kept my mouth shut. I am in Connecticut and I have no duty to inform here. I certainly feel that knowing certain areas of Ct, that it probably would have delayed my departure from the accident scene.

 

[fordfan485]

In Virginia there is no law saying you have to inform. About 3 weeks ago I got pulled over for going about 10mph over the limit. When the cop went back to his car with my license and registration his supervisor came back with my DL and registration and then asked me if I had my handgun on me(They can look it up in the computer when they run your DL), I didn't have imy handgun on me at the time and then he proceeded to lecture me how I should have let them known I had a CHP because It makes them feel safer. Anyways didn't get a ticket.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

In Utah, you have to inform if your are involved in police business, ala a traffic stop or other incident.

I was advised by my instructor to immediately inform the officer that I have a "CFP" Concealed Firearm Permit, and that I do have a sidearm with me, and I'd be happy to inform them where.

He also said that they see the CFP when they run your license, and they will DEFINITELY wonder why you didn't inform them you were armed.

So, I just cooperate, be polite, and do what they want. Arguing is for the courtroom.

 

[bubbygator]

I have taped my DL & CCW together at one edge, so I have to present them together. Was stopped once & the officer just asked why I had it attached - I said I didn't want to lose it - he said hmmm good idea.

 

[Deanimator]

As someone who is looking into getting a CCW, I have a question. It is my understanding that if you are pulled over/stopped by a police officer you have to tell him/her that you have a firearm on your person/car and that you have a CCW license. If this is not the case, let me know.

You do here in Ohio and according to the CCW class I attended last night, there is reciprocity between Ohio and Michigan. So if you're carrying in Ohio, yes you must notify. I don't know what the deal is in Michigan.

Here's where to go for Ohio rules:

http://www.ag.state.oh.us/le/prevention/concealcarry/index.asp

 

[Trebor]

Here's what we tell students in the CPL classes I run:

Turn off the car and put your hands on the steering wheel. If it's night, turn on the dome light.

When the officer approaches, if his first words are a COMMAND, do what he says. For example if he says, "Get out of the car," or "turn off your engine," follow his command immediately. Note that a question, such as "Do you know why I pulled you over?" is NOT a command.

The first words you say should be, "Officer, so you know, I have a Concealed Pistol License and I do have a concealed pistol on my person" (or ...in the glovebox or whatever).

Then wait for his instructions and follow those instructions. He might ask for the gun, if he does give it to him in the safest manner possible, making sure he AND HIS PARTNER know what you are doing. He might ask for your license and registration and pretty much ignore the gun. Make sure you also give him your CPL.

If you AREN'T carrying right then, you should still inform the officer that you have a CPL. The information is going to come up after he runs your license and if you didn't tell him he's going to wonder why and wonder where the gun is. Just say, "Officer, I have a Concealed Pistol License, but I am NOT carrying a pistol right now."

Btw, DetroitStudent, check your PM's. Thanks.

 

[Abe Froman]

The last time I was stopped while carrying was at a license check/DUI checkpoint/whatever they were doing. Lots of local police and flashing blue lights just beyond the crest of a hill. The officer approached my company van and said “Good morning. License, registration, and proof of insurance please.” I handed over all of the above plus my CWP (per SC law.)

Officer: “You carrying now?”
Me: “Yes, sir.”
Officer: “Where is the weapon located.”
Me: “Under my jacket, behind my right hip. What would you like me to do?”
Officer: “Nothing, just sit tight.”

He walks off and does whatever at his cruiser. He returns and hands me all of my paper back and asks: “So, whatcha packing?” I told him a Glock 30 and he told me he much preferred Glocks to his department issue. Then he said he was sure I had better things to do, told me to drive safely and waved me along.

You gotta love efficient, courteous police officers.

 

[Steven1281]

State laws vary. Here in MO we do not have to disclose if we are carrying unless directly asked. Nice to have the choice, I admit.

I have been stopped a couple of times since getting my CCW a few years ago. My advice is to stay calm, and don't act like you are armed. I have always chosen to disclose up front, and with hands on steering wheel (dome light on if at night) tell the officer when he talks to you at the window "I have a CCW permit, and I am/am not carrying today. Please let me know if you have any special instructions". The word "gun" should never be used - sort of a buzz word to law enforcement... and keep your hands in plain sight.

Haven't received anything more than a traffic warning so far, and it's my opinion the disclosure up front establishes respect and caused the driving offense to be reduced to a warning level. The officer knows he is not dealing with a felon, etc and you can see them relax a little bit. IMO it's a good idea to let an officer know even if your state law allows you the lattitude not to.

 

[MartinBrody]

It varies from state to state.

I don't think you are required in PA, but I was pulled over for speeding here once and the first thing I told the officer was that I had a permit to carry a gun and had one under the seat. He asked for the permit and then let me of with a verbal warning for speeding.

I told him because I wouldn't want him to find it on his own and become alarmed. But I also know cops around here aren't anti-gun and wouldn't view me as some kind of a wacko for carrying a gun like they might in another part of the country.

 

[MiamiARFan]

Notifying the officer is not a requirement in Florida. LEO's in Florida also do not have any information regarding whether or not you have a Concealed Weapons Permit. That said, I would always present License, Permit and proof of insurance together and await further questions/instructions.

Luckily, I haven't had to put this to the test yet.

 

[Joe7cri]

as somebody who works in the security industry I dont like to be "surprised" by weapons so I dont surprise others with them (unless I need to)

I feel the same way, so to be courteous I usually hold my pistol out the window and yell back to the officer "I have a gun, and it's loaded"

 

[ChromDome]

Our instructor said

When I went through the class, the LEO who taught it told us that in his experiance people with CCW are typically good law abiding citizens and he they weren't really the type people he was worried about.

He said it would be interesting for someone to do a study on the rate of crimes committed by holders of concealed weapon permit holders...he was sure it was very very low.

He did tell us to hand our permit to the officer along with our license and to inform the officer if we were carrying.

 

[Axman]

Since Arizona doesn't require a CCW to have a handgun in the glovebox, I try to keep my registration and insurance card in another location, like a visor pouch. Then inform the officer I have a handgun in the glovebox. I ran into this when returning home from Flagstaff and happened upon a DUI checkpoint outside of Flag. The officer just asked what kind of pistol it was, I told him and he asked me how I liked it!

 

[04SilverSCFX4]

As an LEO in Big D, I actually enjoy it when the driver greets me with his/her DL/permit.

Yes, you are required to, but it's the fact that they're aware of the law and most of the time the driver has turned on the dome light or made some other gesture that sets the tone of the stop. I've met some very informed shooters on stops and am glad to see so many people who are taking an interest in their own personal safety.

My own personal approach is to ask where the handgun is at so there are no misinterpretations of body language and continue on with the stop, which typically ends with a discussion about firearms and/or hunting.

 

[stillamarine]

Notifying the officer is not a requirement in Florida. LEO's in Florida also do not have any information regarding whether or not you have a Concealed Weapons Permit. That said, I would always present License, Permit and proof of insurance together and await further questions/instructions.

Luckily, I haven't had to put this to the test yet.

the info is available to all LEOs online via Florida Crime Information Center.

 

[Deavis]

My experience in Texas has been similar to TexasSIGman's. I have never been asked to show the weapon, just give its location. Since I ride a motorcycle, I'm outside and on my feet when they approach but have never been disarmed. The normal response from the officer is, "Where is it?" "Okay, please keep it holstered and do not put your hands on the weapon."

Once I got pulled over for doing ~75 because my Keltec in my "trunk" had knowcked the DIP switches on my Yellow Box off (speed corrector for gearing) and I was reading ~130 to go what I thought was ~70. I tell him what happened, he says show me, I told him I've got another gun in there, he says ok, I open the trunk, point to the box, the gun is right there less than 6" from my index finger and he says, "Fix it when you get home." That was it.

That being said, I have heard from a lawyer buddy that DPS had started instructing them to disarm all CHL holders when stopped. My buddy got pulled over for a U-Turn in N. Texas (on his way home from Cali), and they proceeded to remove, unload, and check 7 handguns from his truck cab after stopping him. He said it was pretty annoying because the 1st officer (younger) had no issues when he said "Yes sir, I have 7 in the cab with me" but the older one just lost his mind. Out of the car, stand at the front, and he called in every single serial number praying to find something stolen. Whether there is something new or not in the DPS policy, I do not know. I think that as CHL becomes more common, you will see policies start to settle everywhere.

Your mileage may vary but so far, in Texas, it has not been a problem if you act like a mature adult about it and realize you are on their turf so to speak, it isn't time to have a measuring contest.

 

[Greybeard]

Quote: "That being said, I have heard from a lawyer buddy that DPS had started instructing them to disarm all CHL holders when stopped."

Hmmmm ... Since-the-beginning TX CHL instructor here. And yes, that could now be the case, although it was not discussed in our last renewal school.

In the past, I recall the typical stop involved the trooper simply asking where the handgun was, then generally just leaving it there.

Coming back from an elk hunt in Colorado late last October, a young (solo) DPS trooper lit me up while running a little over 70 in a 65. Mudded-up 4X4 pickup with hunting gear and 2 concealed animals. 1:20 a.m. in the middle-of-no-where on Hwy 287 in TX panhandle (near Quanah). Hardly any other traffic on the road at that hour, so he likely had nothing else to do ... And needed a documented "contact" ? ...

When I handed DL and CHL to him he asked whereabouts at which point I told him of revolver under the floor mat. I was quite surprised when he asked me to hand it to him and asked "Are you sure you want me to reach for it?". He said "Go ahead", so I quite slowly opened the (very much loaded) cylinder before passing off to him over the steering wheel with the muzzle pointed down (at MY knees ...).

He then went back to his vehicle and subsequently returned the snubblie .357 and ammo separately - along with a warning ticket and a polite verbal to "slow it down a little". He asked if he had handled the stop to my satisfaction or if I had any questions.

At that point, I told him (tactfully) that I questioned why he let me reach for the gun, and indicated I had concern over that procedure due to the "action vs. reaction thing" (not wanting to insult his intelligence). He said "Well, you've had the class - and I trust you. But I was ready."

I told him it was the first time in over 10 years that I'd had an LEO touch my carry gun and left it at that. He suggested that I reload the thing promptly, that "If you needed it, it would not do you much good the way I gave it back to you. You guys have a safe trip home."

So yea, there may have been some semi-recent changes in Austin - not necessarily for the better.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I just make it a point to hand the officer my CCW license along with my drivers license. No need to add tension to an already tense situation for the officer.

 

[NORTEXED]

Spreadfire, I was under the belief that you were required to show your CCW if identification is requested by an officer such as you are asked for a D.L. during a traffic stop, or asked for identification by an officer for other reasons.

 

[Greybeard]

Nortexed - I believe you have it right - IF carrying (but I instruct students to show 'em anyway). And failure to present CHL under "carrying" scenario can result in 90 day suspension (on first offense).

 

[scout26]

I feel the same way, so to be courteous I usually hold my pistol out the window and yell back to the officer "I have a gun, and it's loaded"

Hey Joe,

How's that working out for you ??? Did the docs get all the holes in you patched up ???? Are you out of the Hospital yet ???

 

[SSN Vet]

not required in Maine....but...

once when stopped I couldn't find my registration, though I knew it was in the truck somewhere (Yes, I clean my truck once every two years.....with a shovel..whether it needs it or not).

Before getting out of the truck to rummage around under the seats, I asked the officer if that was o.k. (I know that can make them nervous, and in general they want you to sit still where they can see you), and his response was "as long as you don't have a gun or bomb or anything in there".....

my response....."uh, actually...I have a concealed weapon permit and do have a handgun in the car"

Officer..."can I see your permit please"

I hand him the permit, and only engage in minor rummaging (no registration but I did find my favorite coffee mug.)

I get off with a warning (cracked windshield and expired inspection sticker ) ... Officer never asks to see my piece...

conducted by-annual shovel clean out and found the registration when I got home.