CCW and Cops, how did it go for you?
- Thread starter abowlieb
- Start date
Yes in many states including Texas you must inform the officer that you are armed... I know when they run your DL it tells them that you have a concealed handgun license, so you don't want to hide that fact...
If not armed you are not required to present your license to the officer. If you are armed you must inform the officer.
I have never had any issues, one thanked me for choosing to carry.
I once got a free background check for a loaded rifle in my truck.... Which is legal... The officer asked me if he could run the check...
They can also temporarily disarm you.
One time I had an angry belligerent trespasser, I called the police, the officers arrived, they already knew from their computer that I was armed... The officer requested the pistol and he locked it in his car while they dealt with the situation.... He then brought it back when finished.
If not armed you are not required to present your license to the officer. If you are armed you must inform the officer.
I have never had any issues, one thanked me for choosing to carry.
I once got a free background check for a loaded rifle in my truck.... Which is legal... The officer asked me if he could run the check...
They can also temporarily disarm you.
One time I had an angry belligerent trespasser, I called the police, the officers arrived, they already knew from their computer that I was armed... The officer requested the pistol and he locked it in his car while they dealt with the situation.... He then brought it back when finished.
livingintx
New member
Got pulled over for a rolling stop through a stop sign last night. I handed the officer my license and CHL. He handed the CHL back to me and he was very polite and professional. I was given a ticket, and I thanked him for his service and went on my merry way. He never asked if I had a gun with me and I don't think I gave him any reason to be concerned.
I used to hand them my CHP along with my drivers license. Once at a accident scene (I dumped my motorcycle and someone else called the cops), and once at a license checkpoint. Both times they handed the CHP back with "I don't need this" comment. Never said a word about the gun.
The only time I ever got pulled for a violation, the gun was on the front passenger seat. It was never mentioned. I was given a verbal warning and told to have a good day.
I'm not sure if I'd bother to do that today. I'd just play it by ear.
The only time I ever got pulled for a violation, the gun was on the front passenger seat. It was never mentioned. I was given a verbal warning and told to have a good day.
I'm not sure if I'd bother to do that today. I'd just play it by ear.
full case load
New member
No need to inform in my state. I have asked five 'local' LEO's what they would prefer. 4 said they would appreciate, One said, Not unless I ask. Yet to have the occasion, but I will go with the 80%.
I hand them my permit along with my DL, although I am not required by Florida law to do so, and tell them that I just want to inform them so that they are comfortable and things go smoothly. On two occasions, the officers just asked me where the handgun was and told me to keep my hands on the wheel, then thanked me for the way I handled it at the end of the stop. On a third occasion, an officer made a snarky comment that the permit wasn't a license to commit traffic violations. I replied that I never expected it to be, and repeated my reasons for informing them. Another officer took Officer Snark aside and spoke to him for a few minutes, then at the end of the stop (for a burned-out tail light that I didn't know about) told me that I had handled things well, and thanked me.
I always thought that if I was an LEO I would appreciate folks being up front with me about the presence of a firearm, and LEOs who post on these boards often say that is their preference, so I go beyond what is required by law. That isn't everyone's choice, but it is the way I have handled it, so far with success.
I always thought that if I was an LEO I would appreciate folks being up front with me about the presence of a firearm, and LEOs who post on these boards often say that is their preference, so I go beyond what is required by law. That isn't everyone's choice, but it is the way I have handled it, so far with success.
And if they never knew, how would that have changed things? You are stopped for a minor traffic violation (I'm assuming, so correct me if I am wrong). You aren't going to be stripped searched or similar, so it really is none of his business, which is one of the reasons why FL separated the CWP from the LEO files. He either writes you up or not, and you are on your way.
Doc Holliday 1950
New member
Been pulled over twice since I've gotten my ltc. Both times I gave the officer my DL & LTC & told him I was carrying. Kept hands in plain sight on upper part of steering wheel. Officer checked out my info, returned & thanked me. One gave me a ticket for speeding & the other gave me a warning. No big deal.
Doc Holliday 1950
New member
Forgot to say that the second time I was stopped my wife was with me and I gave the officer both our LTC with my DL. He actually smiled at that. Guess in Tn. LEOs are used to husband & wife carrying.
If I were carrying concealed I doubt they would have noticed to even say anything, so let's go with openly carrying
1) Crazy neighbor lady called because I trimmed branches from 'her tree' that were growing over the fence line into my yard. Female Deputy came knocking on the door to investigate. I put on shoes and holstered pistol, she never said a word other than to ask me not to trim the tree. I declined, mentioning the tort law on trespass and she left.
2) Neighbors down the road had a 4th of July party where they decided to park on my driveway pad so that MY invited guests could not park. Again, openly carried and not a word was said by the Deputy Sgt who responded.
3) Neighbors across the street decided to throw a party and their guests parked on my pad, a Deputy responded who saw I was carrying and threw himself behind his unit with his gun drawn demanding I put my pistol in the house. I declined. When it turned out that he wasn't going to do anything I told him to get off my land. He wound up with a letter of reprimand from his Precinct Captain when I went to complain after the holiday.
1) Crazy neighbor lady called because I trimmed branches from 'her tree' that were growing over the fence line into my yard. Female Deputy came knocking on the door to investigate. I put on shoes and holstered pistol, she never said a word other than to ask me not to trim the tree. I declined, mentioning the tort law on trespass and she left.
2) Neighbors down the road had a 4th of July party where they decided to park on my driveway pad so that MY invited guests could not park. Again, openly carried and not a word was said by the Deputy Sgt who responded.
3) Neighbors across the street decided to throw a party and their guests parked on my pad, a Deputy responded who saw I was carrying and threw himself behind his unit with his gun drawn demanding I put my pistol in the house. I declined. When it turned out that he wasn't going to do anything I told him to get off my land. He wound up with a letter of reprimand from his Precinct Captain when I went to complain after the holiday.
OkieCruffler
New member
Been in that situation more often than I should have been. I always inform and only had a problem once. Got pulled over for an illegal U-turn on a deserted (except for a patrol car parked in a car wash 
) road at 4am. Young officer had a friend riding with him and wanted to be all commando. Had me get out of the car and demanded that I surrender my weapon. I refused and told him I would not touch the pistol in his presence but if he wanted I would gladly allow him to remove it from my hip. He did and the night kind of went downhill from there. Other than that none have ever batted an eye, although it did lead to a conversation on 357 snubbies with a very attractive policewoman when I was rear ended once.
) road at 4am. Young officer had a friend riding with him and wanted to be all commando. Had me get out of the car and demanded that I surrender my weapon. I refused and told him I would not touch the pistol in his presence but if he wanted I would gladly allow him to remove it from my hip. He did and the night kind of went downhill from there. Other than that none have ever batted an eye, although it did lead to a conversation on 357 snubbies with a very attractive policewoman when I was rear ended once.veamon said:
I have always held that concealed carry should be a "no wake" zone. For "no wake" you may substitute "no drama" until you must actually deploy the weapon. My contacts with law enforcement have always been with professionals doing their jobs well. Given the reactions elicited by announcing I am armed and asking how the officer would like to proceed, I will continue, though I will certainly adjust should the officer's demeanor make adjustment seem necessary. Call it courtesy, call it proactive self interest. YMMV
Been pulled over twice since '08 when I got CCL. First time was by Oklahoma highway patrol for speeding down interstate. I didn't tell him because he acted like an ass and I think he would have pulled me out of the car and pistol whipped me.
Second time was last week for slowly passing sheriff deputy in left lane. He didn't ask, and I didn't tell.
Second time was last week for slowly passing sheriff deputy in left lane. He didn't ask, and I didn't tell.
I did a right on a no right turn at a light and the officer pulled me over.
I had my hands on the steering wheel when he walked up to my car. When he asked for my driver license and insurance I informed him that I had a firearm tucked in the side of the seat.
He was very nice about it and asked for my permit and we ended up talking about guns. He carried a 19 and asked to see my 26.
Nice guy and let me off with a warning.
I had my hands on the steering wheel when he walked up to my car. When he asked for my driver license and insurance I informed him that I had a firearm tucked in the side of the seat.
He was very nice about it and asked for my permit and we ended up talking about guns. He carried a 19 and asked to see my 26.
Nice guy and let me off with a warning.
I've been stopped in my car twice in the 12 years I've had my CHL.
Once was in Arkansas while my wife and I were on vacation. Very bizarre incident, he said my right front wheel had drifted across the shoulder line. OK .. since I was armed, I presented my CHL and told him there was a gun in the car. He asked me where it was, told him in my door pocket. He said ok, then got me out of the car, frisked me (??) and then had me sit in his car while he fiddled with his computer. We wound up having a conversation about my gun (PM9) and its potential as a police backup, he gave me a warning and we were on our way. We figured he was bored and saw an out-of-state car to investigate.
The second was in my own community, pulled over for no front license (which had not been mounted for years). Gave him my CHL (in Texas it comes up when you run a license anyhow and you have to report if you are armed), told him I was armed, he said put the plate back on and have a nice day.
I considered the first a bit weird but wrote it off to it being Arkansas
, and it ended ok ... the second is what I expect from Texas LEOs ...
Once was in Arkansas while my wife and I were on vacation. Very bizarre incident, he said my right front wheel had drifted across the shoulder line. OK .. since I was armed, I presented my CHL and told him there was a gun in the car. He asked me where it was, told him in my door pocket. He said ok, then got me out of the car, frisked me (??) and then had me sit in his car while he fiddled with his computer. We wound up having a conversation about my gun (PM9) and its potential as a police backup, he gave me a warning and we were on our way. We figured he was bored and saw an out-of-state car to investigate.
The second was in my own community, pulled over for no front license (which had not been mounted for years). Gave him my CHL (in Texas it comes up when you run a license anyhow and you have to report if you are armed), told him I was armed, he said put the plate back on and have a nice day.
I considered the first a bit weird but wrote it off to it being Arkansas
, and it ended ok ... the second is what I expect from Texas LEOs ...Mannlicher
New member
In Florida, you have to respond if asked, but are not required to volunteer the info. The only encounter I have had with LE was very negative. FHP trooper was very aggressive, very over the top combative, and very, very negative with regards to a Citizen having a gun. Left me with an extremly cautious view of CW permits and police.
I was pulled over while speeding. Officer had me dead to rights. No excuses.
I handed over my DL and CHL. He asked "do you have it with you?"
I told him yes, and where it was. He suggested I leave it where it was, and not move towards it.
I told him I thought that was a good idea.
He was exceptionally professional, wrote me a ticket.
Dealt with the police and/or the TABC while armed a handful of times when I was a bar manager in Dallas. After notifying them, it really was a non-issue. We did whatever business was necessary in a professional manner as if I weren't packing.
I handed over my DL and CHL. He asked "do you have it with you?"
I told him yes, and where it was. He suggested I leave it where it was, and not move towards it.
I told him I thought that was a good idea.
He was exceptionally professional, wrote me a ticket.
Dealt with the police and/or the TABC while armed a handful of times when I was a bar manager in Dallas. After notifying them, it really was a non-issue. We did whatever business was necessary in a professional manner as if I weren't packing.