True Stories of the Highway Patrol

[the naked prophet]

Unless you live in Texas or maybe Arizona, the rule of thumb appears to be that even if you have a CCW permit, you had better not let a cop catch you carrying a firearm.

I don't think that's the case at all. Maybe Massachussets, California, New Jersey, etc. are that bad, but not the rest of the nation.

 

[redranger1]

In missouri my experiance has always been that the highway patrol are very professional about this issue and have never hasseled me once. On the other hand i cannot say the same for city and county leo. They need to learn that respect is gained by giving respect, not by self indulged arrogance.

 

[Mortech]

I've only been asked once by a LEO why I was carrying 12 years ago (It was a cocked and locked 1911) . I must have gotten a really funny look on my face because he apologized for asking me that question . Since then nothing but a professional behavior from the LEOs I've run acrossed .

 

[Logan5]

I've had the same thing happen during a stop with a cocked and locked Commander...
The Officer asked me if I had any weapons, and I handed him my permit. He asked me if I had any weapons, and I handed him my permit, returned my hands to the wheel, and started answering questions.
It went something like:
"A Colt Combat Commander, right hip, ummm, condition 1 I guess?"
"Ummm... and what would that be?"
"Cocked and locked."
About ten minutes later his supervisor pulled up behind him, and I heard the exchange.
Officer 1: "He's got a Colt cocked and locked, is he allowed to do that?"
Resident Trooper: "If his permit checked out, he can carry whatever handgun he wants however he wants to."
Officer 1: "Alright then..."

I still got a good long talking to about not flashing my high beams to alert oncoming drivers to speed traps, and that's a lesson that's stuck with me to this day. People who want to commit infractions can do so at their own risk.
Anyway...
The guy was intensively trained in state motor vehicle statutes, beyond what your average attorney would know, but was pretty much in the dark in terms of State and Federal firearms laws beyond the obvious. Supposedly that's why officers have radios, and supervisors to call on them, but you never know how it will all work out on any given night. Know the law, don't violate it, and program your attorney's number into your cell phone.

 

[mzmtg]

I still got a good long talking to about not flashing my high beams to alert oncoming drivers to speed traps, and that's a lesson that's stuck with me to this day.

I consider that to fall under my 1st Amendment right to free speech.

 

[Newton]

Flashing your high beams to warn about speed traps is illegal now ??!!??

Exactly what offence would you be charged with - obstructing a police investigation ??

[RANT] There are so many laws these days, the only way you can avoid getting arrested is not to get caught [/RANT]

 

[RNB65]

I saw that title and instantly had a Junior Brown flashback!


Highway Patrol

I got a star on my car and one on my chest,
A gun on my hip and the right to arrest
I'm the guy who's the boss on this highway
So watch out what you're doin' when you're drivin' my way
If you break the law, you'll hear from me, I know
I'm a-workin' for the state, I'm The Highway Patrol

Well, you'll know me when you see me, 'cause my door's painted white,
My siren a-screamin' and my flashin' red lights
I work all day and I work all night
Just a-keepin' law and order, tryin' to do what's right
If I write you out a ticket, then you'd better drive slow
I'm just a-doin' my job, I'm The Highway Patrol

I'm the highway patrol, the highway patrol,
My hours are long, and my pay is low
But I'll do my best to keep you driving slow
I'm just a-doin' my job, I'm The Highway Patrol

If your drivin' to fast like you shouldn't do,
You can bet your boots, I'm comin' after you
If you wanna race then get on a race track,
'Cause if you try and run away I'm gonna bring ya back
I'm here to keep all the speeders driving slow
I'm just a-doin' my job, I'm The Highway Patrol

I'm the highway patrol, the highway patrol,
My hours are long, and my pay is low
But I'll do my best to keep you driving slow
I'm just a-doin' my job, I'm The Highway Patrol

I'm just a-doin' my job
I'm The Highway Patrol

 

[BluesBear]

I won't type the entire song but my favorite Junior Brown line is;

"I'm wanted by the Po-leece and my wife thinks you're dead."

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Here's someone who was charged (and found guilty) with interfering with the duties of a police officer for flashing his lights to warn other drivers:
http://www.unknownnews.net/031003cops.html

And then it was dimissed after an appeal:
http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/03/10/41877517.shtml?Element_ID=41877517

 

[jamz]

I won't type the entire song but my favorite Junior Brown line is;

"I'm wanted by the Po-leece and my wife thinks you're dead."

Pretty close Blues, it's:


"You're wanted by the Po-leece and my wife thinks you're dead."

 

[pharmer]

Around here it's luck of the draw. Last two stops: OPD, night going too fast through the airport. Asked where "it" is (license has hologram for CWP). IWB 4 o'clock. "Stay put, got ticket then had nice chat about guns. Four years later FHP stop. "Where is it?" All of a sudden 2 cruisers speed in for back up. Hands on holsters. Pistol was in arm rest and not waistband. Trooper retrieves, prints out ticket, returns weapon and informs me it isn't stolen. I reply "no, really", you did a fast job taking off the grips and putting them back on. He informed me the ser# is inside the crane on a S&W. On my Model 60 there is only an assembly number there. Not a gun guy. Joe

 

[Newton]

A victory for the people, and I agree with the poster who said that he regarded a citation for flashing his lights as a violation of the First.

http://www.tennessean.com/local/arch...nt_ID=41877517

We have to be vigilant about this type of thing, otherwise the powers that be will go too far.

 

[BluesBear]

jamz, Duh I knew it was "You're" instead of "I'm" that but my fingers ain't as good as my memory. :banghead:

 

[Doggieman]

try this one

I got in a fight with my girlfriend once and the next day cleaned my stuff out of her apartment with three cops watching (no charges filed). Anyway I happened to own a crossbow at the time, no guns. I let the cops know about it and gave it to them while I cleaned my stuff out. This is a big crossbow mind you. One of the cops says to the cop holding it "Should we get him on CCW?" The one holding it responds, "Nah, it's not loaded."

 

[cbsbyte]

There is no such restrictions on bullet grain size and type in Mass. the officer is just misinformed or more likley ignorant of the law. Many cops in Mass do not know the guns laws(that's why they are police and not attorneys), especially town/city police or they have a very vague idea of them. I understand a police officer making a mistake about the Mass laws, since they are confusing and numerous. At times many will make up stuff off the top of their heads because they believe their must be law written to that affect already. This can cause all types of confusions and lead to harassament or confiscation. This can also happen in any state so be careful out there when carrying and confronted by a police officer. In many states, Mass included, during a traffic stop a person does not have to tell the police officer that they are carrying a gun. Though it might be a good idea in some cases. People also have to remember that some officers are not gun enthusiast or even care about the 2nd Ad. Many in the larger urban areas are anti citizen-ccw. When a officer comes across a citizen legaly carrying a firearm they might try to disarm them using a BS reason. I also believe the officer was hamming it up because he had a camera crew following him.

 

[Checkman]

In my state if an officer runs an individual's DL it automatically comes up on the computer that he or she has a CCW permit. Nothing happens. It's just for information. A permit holder means they are legally carrying. Why would anything else happen?

I guess the officer might keep it in the back of his mind that they are dealing with a person who can carry a concealed weapon legally. But then any competent officer should always figure that everyone they're dealing with could be armed. Heck when I went through the academy they told us that when at a domestic violence call to remember that there is always at least one gun present - yours.

I've seen that episode and I've seen some questionable decisions on the part of other officers on COPS. I always tell new officers that they should watch COPS to learn how not to do things out on the street. Lots of showboating going on when the cameras are running.