...absolutely nothing bad happened aside from a speeding ticket that I earned.
Quick background: In Ohio we're required to inform LEOs at first contact that we're carrying. I've heard all sorts of stories about people being told to get out, unload their firearm, watch the cop manhandle their firearm in an attempt to clear it, etc.
I was driving my boss' car with him in the passenger seat, in a wide open 4 lane area that is 55mph but it goes up to 65 in another mile or so. I was talking and cracking jokes, the car is an Audi A4 that naturally likes to cruise about 80mph, glance over and see a Trooper headed the other way and then glance at the speedo to see about 79mph indicated.
Check mirrors, sure enough, he's turning around, pulls me over, "license and registration please."
I give my rehearsed spiel: "I'm required by law to inform you that I have a concealed handgun license and I'm currently carrying a loaded firearm on my right hip."
Him: "You have a concealed handgun license?"
Me: "Yeah.
Him: "You're carrying a firearm right now?"
Me: "Yeah."
Him: "Where is it?"
Me: "It's holstered over here (pointing) but it's buried under my shirt, coat..."
Him: "You have your wallet?"
Me: "In my back pocket."
Him: "Go ahead and get it out."
End of gun-related conversation aside from him asking my boss if he had a CHL. From that point on it was a normal traffic stop, and Trooper Bee was both courteous and professional. I can think of other LEOs who have stopped me that would have been very unpleasant, so his courtesy was a nice surprise.
Mindset helps, as I was well-prepared for this incident thanks to the excellent CHL course through Buckeye Firearms and the advice of lawyer Ken Hanson. I can see how easily somebody could get in trouble when they're just nervous over the traffic stop.
gp911
Quick background: In Ohio we're required to inform LEOs at first contact that we're carrying. I've heard all sorts of stories about people being told to get out, unload their firearm, watch the cop manhandle their firearm in an attempt to clear it, etc.
I was driving my boss' car with him in the passenger seat, in a wide open 4 lane area that is 55mph but it goes up to 65 in another mile or so. I was talking and cracking jokes, the car is an Audi A4 that naturally likes to cruise about 80mph, glance over and see a Trooper headed the other way and then glance at the speedo to see about 79mph indicated.
Check mirrors, sure enough, he's turning around, pulls me over, "license and registration please."
I give my rehearsed spiel: "I'm required by law to inform you that I have a concealed handgun license and I'm currently carrying a loaded firearm on my right hip."
Him: "You have a concealed handgun license?"
Me: "Yeah.
Him: "You're carrying a firearm right now?"
Me: "Yeah."
Him: "Where is it?"
Me: "It's holstered over here (pointing) but it's buried under my shirt, coat..."
Him: "You have your wallet?"
Me: "In my back pocket."
Him: "Go ahead and get it out."
End of gun-related conversation aside from him asking my boss if he had a CHL. From that point on it was a normal traffic stop, and Trooper Bee was both courteous and professional. I can think of other LEOs who have stopped me that would have been very unpleasant, so his courtesy was a nice surprise.
Mindset helps, as I was well-prepared for this incident thanks to the excellent CHL course through Buckeye Firearms and the advice of lawyer Ken Hanson. I can see how easily somebody could get in trouble when they're just nervous over the traffic stop.
gp911