Routine Traffic Stop CCW Notification
- Thread starter wrightd
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I think the operative word here is “falsely”!
If he’d said nothing, we don’t know what would have happened-we can only speculate.
If things happened as reported so far, then he was unlucky enough to chance upon some of the worst LEOs in the state (and they should be disciplined accordingly). As unprofessional as the LEOs appear to have been in this instance, one has to wonder what would have happened if he had not mentioned he was carrying and somewhere along the line the officer “saw” or “heard” something? Things could have been much worse than they turned out, but as stated, we can only speculate.
As it turns out, he’s coming out relatively well as the magistrate knew the law and tossed everything they tried to hang on him that was gun related.
Sure he was severely “inconvenienced”, but with the arresting LEOs he was dealing with, things could have turned out much, much worse.
If he’d said nothing, we don’t know what would have happened-we can only speculate.
If things happened as reported so far, then he was unlucky enough to chance upon some of the worst LEOs in the state (and they should be disciplined accordingly). As unprofessional as the LEOs appear to have been in this instance, one has to wonder what would have happened if he had not mentioned he was carrying and somewhere along the line the officer “saw” or “heard” something? Things could have been much worse than they turned out, but as stated, we can only speculate.
As it turns out, he’s coming out relatively well as the magistrate knew the law and tossed everything they tried to hang on him that was gun related.
Sure he was severely “inconvenienced”, but with the arresting LEOs he was dealing with, things could have turned out much, much worse.
I don't have a permit for concealed carry, but I always have at least one gun in my vehicle - concealed - which is legal in my state. I have been asked once if I had a weapon in the vehicle, and I told him yes - under the drivers seat - he looked at it, complimented me on it and I was on my way shortly. He had pulled me over because my vehicle matched the description of one they were looking for, but as it turned out I wasn't the guy they were after - no big deal.
I've also been asked on another occasion if the LEO could look in my vehicle, and I told him I had a gun in the vehicle and where it was. He didn't even look at it. Just shined his light around - I guess looking for alcohol, but again - no big deal. It's fairly common where I live for people to have a gun concealed (or not) in their vehicle.
I've also been asked on another occasion if the LEO could look in my vehicle, and I told him I had a gun in the vehicle and where it was. He didn't even look at it. Just shined his light around - I guess looking for alcohol, but again - no big deal. It's fairly common where I live for people to have a gun concealed (or not) in their vehicle.
freakshow10mm
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In MI we have to declare. No biggie. I've been treated professionally and respectfully all the times I've been pulled over (4).
TallPine
Member
I just never get pulled over. What am I doing wrong? 
cambeul41
Member
TallPine asks,
Probably living in the wrong (?) state.
Probably living in the wrong (?) state.
Chortdraw
Member
I'm with Tallpine. Don't speed and take your time getting there and most of the time all will go well. Most of the Prescott police are gun people and respect your right to carry legally.
Unless I'm in a state where you have duty to inform I say nothing.
Why would I? I certainly don't offer an inventory of my vehicle's content to assure the officer I'm not in possession of stolen goods or contraband.
I carry an axe in my jeep. I carry three knives generally. Should I tell the officer I have an axe or knife? How about the big stick in the back for the dog to play fetch with? Maybe I should tell him about my hands since I've used them in a fistfight a time or two? Why is a firearm any different?
I'm courteous to the cops and they have for the most part been courteous in return. I'm run into a couple of winners but I don't think it had anything to do with me or my actions. Some people just suck at dealing with the public.
Why would I? I certainly don't offer an inventory of my vehicle's content to assure the officer I'm not in possession of stolen goods or contraband.
I carry an axe in my jeep. I carry three knives generally. Should I tell the officer I have an axe or knife? How about the big stick in the back for the dog to play fetch with? Maybe I should tell him about my hands since I've used them in a fistfight a time or two? Why is a firearm any different?
I'm courteous to the cops and they have for the most part been courteous in return. I'm run into a couple of winners but I don't think it had anything to do with me or my actions. Some people just suck at dealing with the public.
Thernlund
Member
XD_fan said:
God forbid I ever get pulled over on my way to the range. I'll be there all day, and maybe part of the next.
Might even see SWAT show up.
-T.
Gentleman Ranker
Member
My usual default is to not bring it up unless it is or could be an issue.
Obviously, if there's a chance it's going to be seen anyway, I'd rather volunteer the information rather than have it discovered.
My understanding is that LEOs will try to "read" someone whom they approach to see how the stop is going to go. I try to do the same. If I think the LEO will appreciate the courtesy of being told and establish such Good Guy credentials as I was capable of earning, I might tell. If the LEO seems to be having a bad day and it's not going to come up, I don't see a reason to add to the stress level. So, it depends.
A possibly relevant story:
Many years ago, I was riding a motorcycle on an empty and well-paved road in a rural area. The weather was fine, pavement dry and clean, visibility was excellent, and I was a young buck on a bike, so I opened it up just a wee bit. I was unarmed and had no permit, so not in any databases.
And of course, there was Officer Friendly (actually, he was). I didn't wait for the lights, I just pulled over as soon as I saw him, and he was right behind me. I turned off the bike and put down the kickstand but stayed "mounted", then took off my helmet and placed it on one mirror. I then took my wallet out of my back pocket (which he could clearly see me doing). All this before he reached me.
Thing is, my registration was in the left inside pocket of my (non-leather) jacket, which was zipped up.
I waited until he got up to me, gave him the license, and when he asked for the registration I said "It's in my inside jacket pocket. I'll get it now." I slowly and calmly unzipped my jacket, pulled the left side open with my left hand so he could see everything clearly, and took the registration out of the inside pocket with two fingers of my right hand.
I got a warning. And I was speeding, though not to a crazy degree (maybe 10-15 over, not 20+ over).
A deputy friend of mine later told me that what I did was the reason I got the warning. I'm willing to believe him.
I'd always obey the law. I'd default to not saying anything, but override the default if the situation seemed to call for it.
regards,
GR
Obviously, if there's a chance it's going to be seen anyway, I'd rather volunteer the information rather than have it discovered.
My understanding is that LEOs will try to "read" someone whom they approach to see how the stop is going to go. I try to do the same. If I think the LEO will appreciate the courtesy of being told and establish such Good Guy credentials as I was capable of earning, I might tell. If the LEO seems to be having a bad day and it's not going to come up, I don't see a reason to add to the stress level. So, it depends.
A possibly relevant story:
Many years ago, I was riding a motorcycle on an empty and well-paved road in a rural area. The weather was fine, pavement dry and clean, visibility was excellent, and I was a young buck on a bike
, so I opened it up just a wee bit. I was unarmed and had no permit, so not in any databases.And of course, there was Officer Friendly (actually, he was). I didn't wait for the lights, I just pulled over as soon as I saw him, and he was right behind me. I turned off the bike and put down the kickstand but stayed "mounted", then took off my helmet and placed it on one mirror. I then took my wallet out of my back pocket (which he could clearly see me doing). All this before he reached me.
Thing is, my registration was in the left inside pocket of my (non-leather) jacket, which was zipped up.
I waited until he got up to me, gave him the license, and when he asked for the registration I said "It's in my inside jacket pocket. I'll get it now." I slowly and calmly unzipped my jacket, pulled the left side open with my left hand so he could see everything clearly, and took the registration out of the inside pocket with two fingers of my right hand.
I got a warning. And I was speeding, though not to a crazy degree (maybe 10-15 over, not 20+ over).
A deputy friend of mine later told me that what I did was the reason I got the warning. I'm willing to believe him.
I'd always obey the law. I'd default to not saying anything, but override the default if the situation seemed to call for it.
regards,
GR
Thernlund
Member
I got pulled over once because I was drinking from one of those red party-type plastic cups. It was 10am and I was drinking water.
I was not nice during that stop.
-T.
I was not nice during that stop.
-T.
ny32182
Member
Well if they already know, what is the point of telling them? We're at a point of circular logic here. (They might know you have a permit, but don't know if you are actually carrying... this is also a distinction that is made in SC law at least... you only have to inform them if you are *actually* carrying).
This will vary waaay to much by individual cop, and location, to make any kind of blanket statement whatsoever.
If you tell them, they might not like it. If you don't, they will never know.
I just don't get the rationale, unless you think that telling them will increase the odds of them cutting you a break on the ticket. But like I stated, this is not a chance I'd be voluntarily willing to take, and I live in a gun friendly state.
Thernlund
Member
ilbob said:
That's what he said. Threw out my water after smelling it too. I didn't get a ticket or anything, nor was any other offense mentioned.
Maybe his kid got nabbed at an underage drinking party the night before and he was still brooding about it. I dunno. But I was pretty p***ed off about it.
I still do it all the time (take a party cup with me to work) and have never had any other issue. Maybe he just got the training wheels off.
-T.
I follow the advice given by Ayoob when I took LFI-1. If the law does not require it (and in my state it does not), then I will not volunteer that I'm carrying. I carry in such a way that I can get my wallet without printing. If the officer tells me to get out of the car, I will then tell him "Certainly, officer. However, I have a license to carry and I am carrying now. How would you like to proceed?"
Many (most?) police officers are pro-CCW, but some are not. A fellow I know here in MA volunteered that he had a CCW and was carrying during a routine traffic stop. He was hauled out of the car at gun point, proned out on the pavement, cuffed, and stuffed in the cruiser. What would have been a simple traffic stop became a 90-minute long ordeal. He was eventually let go with a traffic citation, his gun, and ammo, but it was stressful for all involved. While this is not the usual response, it is possible in some jurisdictions.
Many (most?) police officers are pro-CCW, but some are not. A fellow I know here in MA volunteered that he had a CCW and was carrying during a routine traffic stop. He was hauled out of the car at gun point, proned out on the pavement, cuffed, and stuffed in the cruiser. What would have been a simple traffic stop became a 90-minute long ordeal. He was eventually let go with a traffic citation, his gun, and ammo, but it was stressful for all involved. While this is not the usual response, it is possible in some jurisdictions.
stevelyn
Member
Alaska requires you inform upon being stopped or contacted by LE.
I haven't heard of it being abused yet, but we assume everyone is armed anyway and excercise due caution.
I haven't heard of it being abused yet, but we assume everyone is armed anyway and excercise due caution.
romeo212000
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Oklahoma requires it. I hand the officer my permit with my license and insurance and let them know I am carrying and where and leave my hands on the stearng wheel. The next move is his.
freakshow10mm
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I used to be one of those types. Then I got pulled over. Came down from the high horse pretty quickly.
TallPine
Member
Just FYI, it's been well over 25 years since I've been pulled over. There were five or six times before that, but I never got a ticket. Driving within the speed limit and keeping plates current seems to make for an uninterrupted journey.
my last pull over was a few years ago. forgot to put the renewal sticker on my license plate.
i realize small town cops often have little to do, but I have to believe there is somewhere something he could have been doing that was more productive.
i realize small town cops often have little to do, but I have to believe there is somewhere something he could have been doing that was more productive.
JesseL
Member
I used to get pulled over all the time (young guy + sports car), but I've settled down a little since then.
The last time I got pulled over I wasn't doing anything wrong. My wife and I were out for a drive and we and our car happened to match an APB for a couple engaged in a crime spree.
Several police cars stopped us at once and I was very glad that one of the first things I let them know was that I had a CCW. The officers were very keyed up and I would not have liked to give them any surprises.
The last time I got pulled over I wasn't doing anything wrong. My wife and I were out for a drive and we and our car happened to match an APB for a couple engaged in a crime spree.
Several police cars stopped us at once and I was very glad that one of the first things I let them know was that I had a CCW. The officers were very keyed up and I would not have liked to give them any surprises.
Drgong
Member
NC requires it, and for 99.99% of the time the LEO will be happy if you inform him of the situation, as if you where a BG, you wouldn't be telling him your armed, but if you don't, and he sees a weapion bulge, the LEO will be understandbly edgy.
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