How To Behave During A Traffic Stop When Carrying

[symbiont7]

A few questions...

What if I'm a passenger? The LEO only asked for the drivers info, do I still say something?

And as a passenger who carries, where should I put my hands? (Be nice!)
On the dash? Fingers interlocked over my head?

And what about road block type stops? You know, checking for DUI, child seats, seat belts, where they stop everyone. Obviously if they ask directly I will answer, but what if they don't?

I'm trying to read and understand all the laws, even just bought a book that helps explain them all, but geez they can be confusing.

 

[kengrubb]

Out of curiosity, why would you not volunteer that you are carrying legally to a cop that's pulled you over?

I could answer a question with a question and ask what good could come from volunteering the info. However, I will answer your question directly, and I don't take offense at you asking.

The same could be said of what harm does it do, if you KNOW you aren't doing anything illegal, to just let the officer "look around" in your trunk. Well, there and then on the side of the road it's probably no harm no foul. However, over time, I think it tends to weaken the 4th Amendment. Cops already have come to expect citizens to comply with a request to "look", and most people I suspect would say "it's not worth the hassle and I know I have nothing to hide."

I don't see any difference here. If the cop wants to ask me a relevant question, fine. Let him ask. Why do I have to volunteer info? Then we get into the asinine court decisions compelling one to provide ID as to who one is. What's next, a national ID card or a microchip up the arse?

Back on point. If we're compelled to disclose that we're carrying, then on some level it sends the message that, "Yeah, he's got a license to carry a gun and all, but there's still something slightly sinister about the practice." It's normal. We should to the extent possible treat it as normal behavior.

Feel free to use the wood from my cross to construct a nice footbridge.

 

[kengrubb]

NH PO's are not scardy cats like the LEO's in the new CCW states

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner for most painfully accurate statement of the day.

 

[kabbie]

In SC it is required to show ccw permit when ever you are stopped by LEO.

Being a cab driver I get stopped quite often..Usually for a reason,,mainly speeding.. never had a problem..at night..inside lite on , hand over ALL PAPERS and PERMITS.. then just see how the LEO feels about my pretty face..LOL..
BUT...

About a year ago I was leaveing my office late at night and it is in a high crime area,, I did NOT turn on my turn signal when I made a turn, being I was more concerned with a car speeding up on my back bumper with only driveing lights on... I had eased my weapon out of my pocket and onto my seat when I noticed it coming up on me so quickly.. It was a local LEO.. When the blue lights came on I relaxed, and pulled over.. 2 LEO's got out and came up on both sides of my car and imformed me that I had Not used my turnsignal.. I explained why and while I was he was going thru my papers... When he got to my CCW Permit he damn near paniced... Wanted to know where my weapon was, and so I told him on the seat beside me.. I then got a lecture on where i COULD AND COULD NOT CARRY IT .. I informed him he was wrong and that I was in compliance with the law...BAD MOVE ON MY PART...I then had to listen to a speach from him about weapons and safety ect.... BUT he finally let me go..AFTER makeing me lock my weapon in the glove box...

THE next morning, armed with a printout of the state laws regarding CCW rights and reg's.. I went to the local police dept and asked to speak to the duty officer.. I then told the above story and then showed him the printout..He acknowledged that I was right..I then asked that he call the officer from the night before to inform him of what the law was.. He finally did so..

Was I a jerk??? Most likely...BUT If I didn't correct the LEO WHO WOULD ?? and what would be the result next time he was wrong??

I have since moved my office tho....

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

be nice

works. i was a moron as a young man as a result i lost my license for 18 years. i pulled 12 month county time for a real memorable speeding/reckless driving ticket.
i was cut a lotta slack due to being respectful, particularly bu=y not lying. i imagine it getsold having folks b/s you all the time.i remember one state tropper who was pretty hostile when he pulled me over for almost 3 times the limit. when i told him the truth whwn he asked did i know how fast i was going. he changed demeanor and cut me some real big slack.i was scruffy looking sob sometimes and used to carry , get pulled over always told em if it was on car seat i'd let em know before they got in a position where the were "exposed " to me easily and keep hands away from gun and where they were clearly visible. they usually would go pick it off seat through passenger window and then proceed from ther normally. they always thanked me for letting em know.nowadays i get fliiped off for going slow 18 years of riding a bicycle taught me something and now i get pulled over its cops that look too young to be weanedand they cut the poor old man who works for a living slack. a truck full of lumber and tools and a respectful attitude get you well treated too.

 

[kengrubb]

Was I a jerk??? Most likely

There are times when it takes a jerk to do the right thing. This was one of those times.

 

[LiquidTension]

In SC you can keep a gun in a glovebox, console, or trunk - not on the seat. Obviously you can have it concealed on your person if you have a CWP. You do NOT have to inform the officer that you have a CWP if you're NOT carrying. CWP info does not show up when they run your DL info.

 

[Sam Adams]

Actually in TX the way I understand it is if your carrying you HAVE to tell them. If your not carrying you have the option but it's a good idea to do so.

The first part is absolutely correct, and I suspect that the 2nd is not bad advice. I've always found that it is better to put yourself in someone else's shoes, and act as you'd like someone else to act toward you. If I was a police officer, and I knew from running the vehicle's plates that the owner had a CHL, I'd be a bit on edge if the person didn't hand over the license and let me know right away that they weren't carrying. Does failure to do that constitute a crime? Of course not, but remember that the officer is a human being also, likely with a family, and he/she has real and valid fears about not coming home. It is a simple act of decency - and, for that matter, practicality on your part (since I'm sure it is easier to obtain the benefit of the doubt and get a warning when being polite, etc.) - to put the officer at ease by being upfront.

Just my $0.02.

 

[enfield]

Here are a couple videos on the subject. DIALUP WARNING - the files are huge.

http://www.legallyarmed.com/trafficstopprotocol.htm

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

golden rules works

"I've always found that it is better to put yourself in someone else's shoes, and act as you'd like someone else to act toward you."

what an out of date idea! sam adams you must be a relic...

 

[kengrubb]

The Washington State Patrol, and I suspect other state LEAs, give advice for behavior during a traffic stop.

http://www.wsp.wa.gov/about/pullover.htm