CCW during traffic stop?

L

lamagra

Inactive
I am just getting my first pistol and what I was wondering during a routine traffic stop when the officer approaches the vehicle do you:

1. Tell him you are carrying and take it out unload clip and place gun on dashboard and clip in seat.

2. Do not mention anything. If he does ask then explain.


I am all about making my life and hte police officers that much easier and less stressful.

Thanks,
Randy
 
1. Tell him you are carrying and take it out unload clip and place gun on dashboard and clip in seat.
Click to expand...

No matter what you State's law says, you do NOT make ANY move toward your handgun unless specifically told to do so by the officer. Don't even allude (point) to where it's at unless or until you are asked. Then just tell him.

Reaching for a pistol (unless told to by the LEO) or making any unexpected moves while talking to a LEO are not conducive to a long and peaceful life.

Most traffic stops are for simple traffic violations, and the most likely scenario is if he knows you have a legal CCW permit, he'll ask where the pistol is at and tell you to leave it there and keep your hands on the steering wheel.
When he's done, say "Thank you, Officer", take your citation and go on about your business. He most likely won't even ask to see the pistol.

The way you make a LEO's job easy is to do exactly what he tells you, answer his questions directly, make no sudden or unexpected moves, and keep your hands where he can see them at all times. That should make for one happy, ticket writin', LEO.

Carter
 
Regardless of your states law. If pulled over hand him/her your permit and DL together. It will save you from having a problem.

Travis
 
I've read quite a few threads here and elsewhere in which LEOs have expressed a preference to people who have the car off, window down, and hands on the dash/wheel with their lisence handy. Since the CCL is next to the lisence, I'll hand 'em both over and wait for further instructions, with my hands in plain sight.

Its a strenous job, and I imagine it gets worse when you find out your subject is carrying a gun. I'd like to make it as easy as possible for both of us.
 
Last night

Last night I was walking my dog, a large Flat Coated Retriever when two big Pit Bulls came running out and attacked my dog. I was beating the hell out of them with my Maglite when their owner came out and pulled them off. I was going to leave it at that but when I told the guy that he'd better get his f'n dogs in his backyard, he claimed that my leashed dog, walking down the alley started the fight. My first impulse was to give him a little taste of the Maglite. But I called 911 instead. I told dispatch what happened & that I have a CPL and that I was armed. I also let her know that the gun never came in to play. When the cop showed up, I went up to him and asked him if dispatch advised him of my CPL & firearm. All he said was they did & he asked me to leave it where it was. Done deal, no problem. He took the report, photographed all the dogs involved & cited the other guy for several things & left.
If you're wondering why the Pit Bulls are still alive, it's simple. Turns out that a Maglite is more practical (in this situation) than a pistol. With the flashlight already in hand, I was able to attack immediately and with great effect. The pistol would have been much slower to get out for starters while my dog was being mauled by 2 big dogs while he was restrained by our leash. The leash was also pulling on me making the pistol harder to get out, harder to hold on to and harder to aim. There was no way I was going to drop the leash because the fight would have ended up getting too far away from where I was in seconds, again leaving my dog on his own, trying to fight while being slowed down by a leash. On the other hand, had the fight gone on a few seconds longer, the pistol would have come in to play. So that's my CCW/Cop lesson from last night.
 
Check your state law. In TX you required to inform LE you are armed and present your CHL any time they demand ID. Failure to do so will likely result in loss of your CHL. In WA this is not the case. I was stopped one eve in WA for a traffic offence. The LEO shined his light on my wallet while I retrieved my DL and noticed my CHL. He asked me if I was carrying and where it was. I answered and there was no problem. Never reach for a gun and it doesn't hurt to have your Reichspapieren where you can retrieve them without causing anxiety to the cop. Mine are in a holder attached to the sun visor. Your mileage may differ.
 
I was pulled over recently in Michigan. When the officer approached my window, I handed him my CPL along with my driver's license and said "Sir, I am legally armed.", as required by law.

He gave me a verbal and let me go.

Kowboy
 
Ive been pulled over enough in to know this one.
From what I was told Im to put both hands on the steering wheel and tell the cop I legally have a gun Its in a holster on my right side.
Last time I was stopped they put the gun in the trunk , the magazine in the glove box and the bullets on the back seat told me to walk across the street and stay sitting on the side walk untill they leave.
I dont know why ?
 
At any traffic stop by a police officer, I would suggest having your license and proof of insurance ready and have both hands visible for the officer as he approaches you.
The officer will ask you or any passengers if you have any weapons if he feels he needs to know. You don't have to immediately tell him, unless it's a law in your state.
But always keep both hands visible.

I would possibly say that if the officer asked you to get out of your vehicle, then the situation may be more serious than just a traffic violation and THEN I may mention to the officer before I make any movements out of my vehicle that I do have a weapon and ask him instructions of what I should do before exiting the vehicle.
 
I like Dust Devil's approach. This subject has been hacked to death. If your state's law requires disclosure, then, disclose, or, if you just want to stir things up, disclose even if your state's law doesn't require it. I run into cops all the time while I'm carrying. They don't ask; I don't tell. Also don't tell them whether I brush my teeth regularly, etc.
 
Just to acknowledge the #1. option presented here: I'm pretty sure any guy grabbing a firearm in the presence of a LEO, unless directed by said LEO, can expect to not grab much of anything else afterward. So far when I've been stopped, I've only had a couple of defensive knives in the car. Officer asked if I had any weapons and I told him, "Yeah, a throwing knife in the door and a hunting knife behind the passenger seat." They've all just said "ok."

My experience (various traffic stops with warnings and citations, arrested two times before the age of 18) tells me that when I'm stopped, my car will be turned off with the flashers going. My keys will be removed from the ignition and laying up on the dash. My window will be down and my hands will be open with my wrists resting on top of the steering wheel. I make no move or grab for anything unless ordered to do so, and even then it's a slow and deliberate move.

I'm aware that this tells the officer that "I've done this before", but the last two times I was stopped, doing this and being exceptionly polite has gotten me a thank you from the officer along with a warning.
 
I've heard that in states where you don't have to notify, they might let you go with just a warning if you tell them politely that your armed. I sure hope that they will just let me go next time without a ticket :D
 
"I've heard that in states where you don't have to notify, they might let you go with just a warning if you tell them politely that your armed. I sure hope that they will just let me go next time without a ticket."

I've "heard" (on the internet, of course) that Glock's going to produce a carbine "this year," blah, blah, blah. Can't imagine why a cop would give you a warning if you're armed, but would give you a ticket if you're not. That's nonsensical. :cool:
 
Here's exactly what to say.

Officer: "Let me see your license and registration."

You: "Officer, I feel at this time I must inform you that I have a valid handgun carry permit under the State of (your state) and I am currently armed. Would you also like to see my carry-permit?"

Officer: "Yeap. Go ahead an' git'cher carry permit, too."

You: "Yes sir. In order to do that, I'll have to get into my wallet, which is in my strong-side hip pocket, beside my holster. Would you like me to exit the vehicle before I take out my wallet?"

Officer: (option a.) "Yeap. Step-on out 'tha car, here."
(option b.) "Naw. Just take it real easy and keep your pistol in the holster."

(Then, proceed in strict accordance with the Officer's wishes.)

That's all there is too it, really. Just be cool and straight with the guy, and everything will be ok.
 
As already mentioned, never reach for your gun since the officer may interpret your action as hostile. Unless you live in a state where you are required to carry it in open view in the car, don't show your gun unless you are asked to. I believe that in many states, the fact that you have a carry permit will show up when your license plate is run. Disclosing the fact that you are armed may give him the impression that you are not trying to hide anything.

As for whether or not to tell the officer, if it is not legally required to do so in your state, that is up to you. That topic was already beat to death on another thread so we'll leave it at that.
 
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