Volunteering CCW permit to officer

[ReadyRob]

A recent newspaper article stated that a law was under consideration to make all CCW permits be in a uniform police data base so police could check that on say a traffic stop or at anytime they felt they had a need to know. I thought that information was already available to police.

That started a discussion in my gun class of, is it better to volunteer the fact that you have a permit for conceal carry to police should you be stopped in a vehicle for some unrelated matter.

It was about 60%-40% in favor to volunteer the information. What do you think?

 

[BossHaug]

:Best bet is to follow the laws of your state. In AZ, my Concealed Weapons Permit states: In accordance with ARS 13-3112, this permit must be in your possession while carrying a concealed weapon and must be presented to a law enforcement officer upon request. Key words here are upon request Some states do require you to always show your permit to the LEO's.

 

[vicdotcom]

I would, cops I also turn the lights on in my cab and keep my hands on the steering wheel until officer arrives at the window. It is the least I can do to ensure the officer that the stop will be as "routine" and safe as possible.

 

[ditch_dgr]

A friend of mine is a LEO in my town, he said they would like to know if we are carrying because it is better than surprising them if it is discovered. We are not required by law to do this but I think I would let them know.

 

[Deanimator]

It's a requirement in Ohio, nothing "volunteer" about it, but ONLY if you're carrying. If you're not carrying, you don't have to tell him anything.

 

[mgkdrgn]

A friend of mine is a LEO in my town, he said they would like to know if we are carrying because it is better than surprising them if it is discovered. We are not required by law to do this but I think I would let them know.

+1 on that. I would let them know for =my= safety. Last thing I need is for some nervous nelly to yell "GUN! and get me plugged.

 

[deadin]

Just flash your "CCW Badge".

 

[Rockwell1]

Absolutely not it's not germane to the stop.If I'm a law abiding citizen how is my gun a threat to the police? I suggest anyone who thinks it's a good idea do asearch on the topic here and read the stories of THR members who have volunteered the information and ended up face down across the hood of a cop car for it

 

[kyo]

I give mine with the license, cops don't care here in Ga. The most recent story is when there was a blockade to catch drunks. Gave the license/permit, talked for 30 seconds, he said k thanx bye and I left.

 

[sig228]

NEVER, unless required by law.

 

[SHvar]

If Im carrying at the time I always tell them upfront, and hand them the CCL upon request. Ive had a few not even ask to see the CCL, or even ask to see the gun, they just thanked me for letting them know.
If you are carrying and get pulled over you should say upfront that you are carrying, it will save you alot of aggrevation. The police are alot more courteous to an honest citizen who lets them know in the beginning, with good reason.

 

[AirForceShooter]

In Florida it's not required that you tell.
But... every time I "tell" I get a warning.
The one time I didn't I got the ticket. Traffic school is horrible.

When I'm in other States I find out what the law is and follw that.

AFS

 

[John Parker]

A friend of mine is a LEO in my town, he said they would like to know if we are carrying because it is better than surprising them if it is discovered. We are not required by law to do this but I think I would let them know.

I agree. Both times when I've been stopped while carrying, after being asked for license, registration, and insurance, I've said "Just so you know, I've got a CHL and I am armed." And both times, the cops became noticeably relaxed, thanked me for telling them, and gave me warnings.
Being pulled over is a tense situation (face it, 99.9% of the time you're breaking the law when you get pulled over) so I'd rather they knew I was armed from the get-go and avoid any unpleasant surprises.

 

[texas bulldog]

i'm surprised treo hasn't shown up yet. he'll definitely be a vote for NO.

in TX, it's still a requirement, though there was an attempt in this legislative session to remove that part of the code. i don't know for sure if it still has any life...the session is winding down right now.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Cops are people. And people generally like being treated politely and in an open fashion. Even if it's not required in a state, I volunteer my CPL. It shows the cop that I'm not being overly defensive or suspicious and that I'm just a guy who wants to get this over with. So far, been pulled over 5 times with no tickets.

 

[Rockwell1]

i'm surprised treo hasn't shown up yet. he'll definitely be a vote for NO

.

I was reading on the other THR and theres a user over there named Treo who says he's banned here. Same guy?

 

[kd7nqb]

ALWAYS TELL, 1. its better that you tell them then they find out and 2. It plays into their discretion to give you a ticket most cops like knowing that the guy they just stopped consented to extra privacy intrusions and came out clean.

I can tell you I am VERY sure it has gotten me a warning at least once when I very well could have gotten a ticket.

 

[withdrawn34]

You'll find very strong opinions on both sides. Ultimately, it comes down to you. IMHO it is better to volunteer such information even when not required by law.

Just do it delicately - don't just blurt you "HEY I GOTTA GUN!!!"

 

[ronto]

NO...Unless required by state law.

 

[John Parker]

Ronto,

Would you please tell me why you say no? I don't think you are wrong; I'd like to hear your reasons though.

Thanks!

 

[scope12da]

I always volunteer CHL even if I'm not carrying. I have been pulled over 3 times since I got my CHL 3 yrs ago and got warnings each time.

 

[Deanimator]

Would you please tell me why you say no? I don't think you are wrong; I'd like to hear your reasons though.

I don't know about him, but I don't believe in obeying made up "requirements".

I don't need to put anyone, cop or otherwise, "at his ease". My obeying the law is all of the "ease" he needs. Where do you draw the line?

 

[gbran]

ockwell1

anyone who thinks it's a good idea do asearch on the topic here and read the stories of THR members who have volunteered the information and ended up face down across the hood of a cop car for it

A couple years ago I was working on a jobsite near Alameda CA (near Oakland, Bay area). I live in central CA. The jobsite is in an area I wouldn't go without a gun. So I was on foot just before sun-up walking from my truck to the job from a parking lot. Two PD's drove up beside me and asked what I was doing in the area this early. I told them about the job and "oh, BTW, I have a permit and I'm carrying".

They quickly had me on the ground and very forcably removed my chambered Glock, thankfully without shooting me or them. Then they cuffed me and sat me in the back seat of their cruiser. They took my wallet and did find my ccw permit.

It took over 2 hours, while they're contacting their office trying to find grounds to arrest. Then they were pi$$ed they had to return my gun. They finally released me and said I should go unload and lock my gun in my truck and don't ever carry in their area again.

I was polite the whole time, but told them that my permit, while issued by my county, was in fact a state permit, which did let me carry in their area. I told them that there area was a high crime area and I just wasn't going to be defenseless while having to be there. I finished walking to the jobsite carrying.

 

[Rockwell1]

I told them about the job and "oh, BTW, I have a permit and I'm carrying".

Bet you won't do that again.

Of all the states that allow CC only 10 require you to notify the officer during a police interaction. I think that's significant, we're at, what 45- 47 states that allow ccw? and only 10 feel that Officer safety is enhanced by requiring notification. In many states (Colorado included) no permit is required to carry a concealed weapon in your vehicle, how would a law requiring notification by permit holders affect them? More significantly, how would such a law affect the thousands of criminal who ignore every other gun law on the books on a daily basis?

I can't see how informing a police officer you're heeled can do anything but escalate tensions, especially if you win the lottery and inform an officer who thinks anyone with a CCW is a wannabe cop.

There's no benefit to me if I voluntarily inform so I don't. I'm required to produce my permit and a valid I.D if I'm asked that would be the only time I would do so.

I also think threads like this don't change people's minds at all, sheep are sheep it's in their nature it's who they are.

 

[gripper]

if ASKED,I will tell..."volunteering"it ..I don't know;it has never come up beyond a return trip from the range with some cased long-arms and a busted tail light.
Cop ( Hollis NH ) was a nice girl;had an interest in SKS's that mirrored mine...to bad I saw a wedding ring -she looked like a keeper!