Ever a good way to bring this up with LEO?

In the late 80's I was in the Navy and stationed aboard a submarine tender at King's Bay, Georgia with a contingent of marines aboard providing nuclear weapons security. The marines had just been issued Beretta 9mm's to replace the 1911's they formerly carried. The 1911's had been carried with an empty chamber, but that policy changed when the Beretta 9mm's were adopted. In one security drill I was the designated "bad guy" and at the conclusion of the drill I was on the deck and surrounded by six gung-ho marines kicking and screaming at me with loaded 9mm's pointed at my head, fingers on triggers. I felt more in danger on that one day than at any other time in the ten years I served, including four years on a nuclear sub (SSBN).
 
I've had LEOs pointing guns at me, with finger on trigger, more than once and have to say it is scary. The scariest was a very young CHP officer pulled me over on a traffic stop. As he approached the window, I went for my wallet in right hip pocket. His gun came out pronto, he took a step back and started yelling for me to put my hands on the wheel. All the while, his gun was waving around. I distinctly remember the white knuckle on his trembling finger as it was hooked around the trigger.

I did not ask him to take his finger off the trigger and I think my immediate compliance, without comment might have greatly contributed to my ability to post here today. :) ... much to the chagrin of many. :p

That was a long time ago. He made mistakes and so did I. Now I wait for my ticket quietly, with my hands open-palm on the wheel. :)
 
Now I wait for my ticket quietly, with my hands open-palm on the wheel.
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+1. I sit there with my hands on the wheel until I receive a command. I don't roll down the window, or reach for ANYTHING until told to do so.
 
Time to roll down the windows is before he approaches.
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Yepper.

I start out by using my signals and stopping like a sane human being, as well as getting as far off the road as is practical, to give the officer plenty of room between their posterior and traffic. I roll down the window before I come to a stop. If it's night time I also turn on ALL internal lights. Shut off the radio and the engine. Hands on the wheel. When the officer makes a request, like "License and registration please." I say "Certainly, the registration is in the glove box." When I retrieve the registration, I leave the glove box open so they can see what's in there. Now that I carry, I keep my wallet where I can reach it without going anywhere near my gun and also have it in my hands when the officer approaches.

ANYTHING that you can do to give every possible indication that you are not only not a threat but in fact a friend will help you. Not just because you have a gun but also, many times, helping to prevent you from getting a ticket.
 
Thankfully, I havent been pulled over in a while. But my standard procedure is as follows:

1. Turn car off, turn hazard lights on
2. Roll down both front windows (they are illegally tinted in my state, so I make sure this happens)
3. Optionally put keys on roof of car
4. Keep hands on steering wheel.


Now my question is this...since I turned 21, I now carry a pistol unconcealed in my car nearly all the time. What is the best thing to do in that situation?

I was thinking as the offer was approaching the car I could shout that there is a pistol lying on the front seat...but that could turn into a hairy situation....
 
T
Thankfully, I havent been pulled over in a while.
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Yeah... been a couple weeks for me too. :)

Seriously, I haven't been stopped in a long, long time, but if I am, I'll keep my hands in sight, move real slow and follow all commands immediately.
 
I've been pulled over many times over the years with an unconcealed weapon in the vehicle on the seat next to me...You don't shout I have a gun!

You keep your hands visible to them and declare the weapon in a nonchalent manner during the first exchange of conversation with them, if they don't see it first, which they almost never have.
 
Now my question is this...since I turned 21, I now carry a pistol unconcealed in my car nearly all the time. What is the best thing to do in that situation?

I was thinking as the offer was approaching the car I could shout that there is a pistol lying on the front seat...but that could turn into a hairy situation....
Click to expand...

Many moons ago in CA I received security officer training (never did actually work as one though) by an LAPD officer. He taught us that if we were pulled over while armed to roll down the window ASAP. Then actually place both hands -palm down, all fingers visible- on the door (where the window comes out from), so as to be visible as the officer walked up. Then, when the officer was next to you say clearly and calmly, "Officer, I work as a security guard, and I'm carrying a firearm" without ever moving your hands. Then follow his directions.

I doubt any of those procedures were law, but they were meant to make sure everyone remained calm.
 
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