CCW Drivers, Protocol on a Traffic Stop

Every state is different but in Arizona ...

... the law does not require you to inform an Officer you have a permit/license to carry if approached by that Officer on any type of official business.
Click to expand...


Also in Arizona ...

... if an Officer Ask if you have a firearm by law you must give the Officer an answer.
Click to expand...
 
Here in Wyoming there's no duty to inform, but when they pull up your plate it lists the registered primary driver, and GUN: Y or N, based on if you are a CCW holder.
 
The thing is in Texas it is not uncommo for a police officer to ask if you have a concealed handgun in the car. There is no liscence requirment to carry in the car, so some people have a loaded concealed handgun in the car that do not have a CHL. It is perfectly leagal provided that it is concealed.

Most cops I know will ask that question quickly.
 
I'm not sure that grabbing all the paperwork and moving around in the vehicle is such a good idea before you stop. As an ex Trooper the thing that made me most uncomfortable was a lot of movement in the vehicle after I hit the lights.
Click to expand...

I'm in NE IL (moved here from suburban Detroit back in early '96). When I first moved here, I was living on the NW side of Chicago. One morning on the way to work, I was stopped for allegedly not fully stopping at a stop sign. Now, mind you, I was driving a Ford Escort, no gang banger car. Two cops came at me, one on each side of my car, guns halfway out of their holsters. What seemed so threatening to them, I've no clue. I'm a short white female and was alone in the car. They got real antsy when I went to get my proof of insurance (in IL, you have to show proof of insurance along with DL when cops pull you over) out of the glove box.

The last time I got stopped in the NW suburbs (where I now live) a few years ago, it was for a tail light I didn't know was out. I rolled down my window and then put my hands very visibly on steering wheel. When the officer came to my window, I asked him if I could get DL out of my purse and insurance card out of glove box.

The officer told me he appreciated me asking, rather than just going for my documents.
 
It continues to amaze me that a standard procedure has not been adopted by National Law Enforcement Standards.

Even the AZ DPS (state patrol), according to the Officers I have spoken do not have a procedure which they want followed.

My personal procedure is to hand my CCW and DL to the Officer when he asks for my DL. i then answer the Officers questions clearly and directly. I also keep my Insurance and Registration in a compartment which does not contain a firearm or ammunition. Before I open the compartment I tell the officer it does not contain any weapons.

Nothing is quite as stimulating to an Officer when a driver opens his glove compartment and a pistol falls out. (Personal experience while I was conducting a traffic stop)
Click to expand...

There is not SOP because each state has different laws. Some states like FL you are not required to inform the LEO, but its a courtesy (and would be a smart thing to do.)

I've never shown my CWL permit unless asked. Some cops don't ever care as long as you're cooperative and don't give them a reason to be suspicious.
 
Agree about standard procedure and wish there was one ...

Been stopped twice since last summer and I did the same thing in both cases ...

An Arkansas trooper stopped my wife and I on a vacation trip to Branson, MO in a rented car ... kept my hands on the wheel, when he got to the window, I told him I had a Texas CHL and was armed ... he asked for my license and CHL and asked me where the gun was .. told him it was in a holster in the door pocket, he told me to leave it there and to exit the car ... then things got a little weird, at least from my point of view ... he asked if he could pat me down; I said sure, advising him there was a pocket knife clipped to my pants pocket ... then he sat me down in the cruiser, told me he'd pulled me over for allowing my right front wheel to cross the curbside white line (on an interstate) ... then he proceeded to talk to me about guns, asked what I was carrying and whether it would make a good backup ... let me go with a warning ...

The second time was in my little dinky town in TX, pulled over by a constable for not having a front plate on the car ... same routine, never asked to see the gun, gave me a fix-it, which I did the next day ...

In both cases, I kept my hands in sight and did not start reaching for my wallet until he had asked for my papers and could see what I was doing ... both were educational and sort of entertaining since I didn't get ticketed in either case ... my advice is don't fumble around for your papers until the officer asks for them and can watch you doing it, and tell him or her when they get to the window that you are legally armed if you are ... I understand the law may not require notification; I just do automatically as a courtesy .. LEOs have a tough enough job dealing with people on the wrong side of the law; anything you can do to ease their minds when they approach your vehicle is a plus in my mind ...
 
Bikerbill glad it worked out for you. I wouldn't think strange, when I pull people over sometimes I ask about weapons sometimes I don't but if you do get out or I have pc for search. First thing is a pat down and with legit people I like to discuss their guns as well. I am a gun nut and it gets lonely out there in the wee hours by yourself. Plus one for getting info after being asked instead of Johnny on the spot. Hate to see people fumbling around at three in the morning and I might ask for insurance, I might not. I might pull over driver for swerving, talk to them to find out they're sleepy, seems legit. Don't need info in every stop. Coutesy will take someone so far.
 
I might pull over driver for swerving, talk to them to find out they're sleepy, seems legit. Don't need info in every stop. Coutesy will take someone so far.
Click to expand...

You are right on point with that one brother!

There are too many variables to have one protocol as a nation wide mandate. Each state and city has different Politics, leaders, and points of view. Common sense use to be common, but today it appears to be rare!

Remember if you are stopped: YOU KNOW YOU ARE A NICE GUY ... THE COP DOESN'T KNOW YET, SO ACT ACCORDINGLY!
 
I think I know the stretch of road you were traveling. The trooper was looking for DUI. Those guys up in NW AR are generally good guys.
 
Cumberland county PA

Safety and Law Enforcement Officers


For the safety of our Law Enforcement Officers and the aversion of embarrassing situations, please remember these important tips:
When dealing with Law Enforcement Officers, always inform the officer immediately that you are carrying a weapon and keep your hands in plain sight.
If carrying concealed and you are pulled over on a traffic stop, again, immediately inform the officer and keep both hands on the steering wheel and in plain sight.

http://www.ccpa.net/index.aspx?NID=3094
 
Pa requirement to announce on traffic stop

Re: announcing you are carrying concealed to a police officer during a traffic stop?
i don't feel like looking up threads, but DON'T tell the officer you are carrying unless you feel he is likely to see your weapon! here in PA, we have NO obligation to inform police of our carry, and doing so unnecessarily is likely to cause problems for you.

This is from a Pa website if that helps:

http://forum.pafoa.org/concealed-ca...ealed-police-officer-during-traffic-stop.html
 
For the safety of our Law Enforcement Officers and the aversion of embarrassing situations, please remember these important tips:
When dealing with Law Enforcement Officers, always inform the officer immediately that you are carrying a weapon and keep your hands in plain sight.
If carrying concealed and you are pulled over on a traffic stop, again, immediately inform the officer and keep both hands on the steering wheel and in plain sight.
Click to expand...

Your superiors have spoken.

Now obey their wishes.
 
Re: announcing you are carrying concealed to a police officer during a traffic stop?
i don't feel like looking up threads, but DON'T tell the officer you are carrying unless you feel he is likely to see your weapon! here in PA, we have NO obligation to inform police of our carry, and doing so unnecessarily is likely to cause problems for you.

This is from a Pa website if that helps:

http://forum.pafoa.org/concealed-car...ffic-stop.html
Click to expand...

interesting. In Texas you are required to inform the officer, else its a crime (misdemeanor though I think). I think you have to actually present your CHL license at the same time. Further, in Texas, when they run your driver's license the CHL will come up.
 
In Texas you are required to inform the officer, else its a crime (misdemeanor though I think). I think you have to actually present your CHL license at the same time. Further, in Texas, when they run your driver's license the CHL will come up.
Click to expand...

You MUST know the laws of the jurisdiction you are carrying in.

In states you are not required to notify, it may (or may not) be in your best interest to notify.

A simple traffic stop for a headlight or illegal turn might NOT be cause to notify.

More significant things might be.

Even the police try to imply you MUST notify in a state it is not required in, just be polite.

While irritating a cop is not a crime, they CAN make your day difficult.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top