if U get pulled over for something and the officer asks for your driver's license, proof of insurance and registration... Are you supposed to tell him U have an unloaded, locked-up firearm in your trunk? and what if U are not making a bee-line from your house to the shooting range? what if you are out running errands as well?
Getting pulled over in CA for traffic violation or spot check
- Thread starter gdeal
- Start date
Drake Remoray
Inactive
That's false. In Texas you are required to inform of your CHL status IF you are carrying. The fact that you have an unloaded cased weapon is of no moment.
In the jungle, the mighty jungle the lion sleeps tonight.
In the jungle, the mighty jungle the lion sleeps tonight.
Each state has different laws. Here in Oregon if you have a CCW permit you are not required to tell an officer if you are carrying. When they do a driver's license check on a person they pull over if they have a CCW permit it will show up so the officer will know anyways that you have been issued a CCW permit.
Atticus Thraxx
New member
Easy one.... if your asked, don't lie.
If your not asked, don't volunteer.
If your not asked, don't volunteer.
In Texas when they run your license, it comes back that you have a CHL, only once was I asked if I was carrying, but she [female highway patrol]didn't want to see it, only wanted to know if I was armed.Still gave me the ticket.Last time I was stopped, he didn't ask but let me off with a warning. Go figure!
I think checking your local laws is the best advice you can get on this issue.
The other advice would be don't volunteer information unless you are asked. If you purchased the firearm legally and it is unloaded, locked, and secured safely in the trunk it may as well be a set of golf clubs. You wouldn't feel a need to notify an officer of that would you
At a check point they just want to know that you have your ID and your tags are up to date. Just the facts and be on your way.
The other advice would be don't volunteer information unless you are asked. If you purchased the firearm legally and it is unloaded, locked, and secured safely in the trunk it may as well be a set of golf clubs. You wouldn't feel a need to notify an officer of that would you
At a check point they just want to know that you have your ID and your tags are up to date. Just the facts and be on your way.
No, you do not need to inform them of anything that can be incriminating to yourself unless they ask. I mean why would you just volunteer that info if everything is locked up legally and not a threat to anyone? That seems like it can make a 10 min. traffic stop into something much more than it should be.
I drive around with either a shotgun or pistol in my trunk at all times just in case I might wanna hit the range and I get pulled over plenty. If they ask tell them before they find it, if they don't ask sign the ticket and kick rocks..
I drive around with either a shotgun or pistol in my trunk at all times just in case I might wanna hit the range and I get pulled over plenty. If they ask tell them before they find it, if they don't ask sign the ticket and kick rocks..
Generally speaking, you do not have to answer an officer's questions during a car stop (see: 5th Amendment). However, it's generally considered polite to engage in routine conversation ("is this your correct address?") because total silence could either let him believe you're seriously p---ed off or raise his suspicions.
If an officer asks "Do you have any drugs or weapons in the car?" Laugh and tell him "No, I don't have any drugs, rockets, bombs, grenades or even a Chihuahua with thermonuclear gas in the car." (unless, of course, your Chihuahua does have gas.)
If, for some other reason, your trunk is opened (your car matches a suspect vehicle, a traffic collision, etc.) and they want to give you grief, ask them to point out the code section that does not permit you to transport a firearm in "the approved manner".
There is no requirement, for handguns, that you drive directly to or from a range (this is for "assault weapons"). Penal Code §12025 (carrying concealed) exempts vehicular carry of an unloaded handgun if...
If an officer asks "Do you have any drugs or weapons in the car?" Laugh and tell him "No, I don't have any drugs, rockets, bombs, grenades or even a Chihuahua with thermonuclear gas in the car." (unless, of course, your Chihuahua does have gas.)
If, for some other reason, your trunk is opened (your car matches a suspect vehicle, a traffic collision, etc.) and they want to give you grief, ask them to point out the code section that does not permit you to transport a firearm in "the approved manner".
There is no requirement, for handguns, that you drive directly to or from a range (this is for "assault weapons"). Penal Code §12025 (carrying concealed) exempts vehicular carry of an unloaded handgun if...
BillCa used more words than I will.
No! In California there is absolutely no reason to volunteer that information.
Further, it would not be wise to volunteer that information.
The correct answer to "do you have any drugs or weapons in your car" is "I have nothing illegal in my car". Period. Do not expand on that, no matter how he rephrases the question.
Sorry, BillCA, but I think making jokes with police officers who have pulled you over annoys them when it is deflecting their questions.
No! In California there is absolutely no reason to volunteer that information.
Further, it would not be wise to volunteer that information.
The correct answer to "do you have any drugs or weapons in your car" is "I have nothing illegal in my car". Period. Do not expand on that, no matter how he rephrases the question.
Sorry, BillCA, but I think making jokes with police officers who have pulled you over annoys them when it is deflecting their questions.
Atticus Thraxx
New member
dav while your point has merit, I've found most officers respond favorably to a good sense of humor.Just don't lie.
Keep in mind I have family members that were in a car, held by a LEO, while a warrant was brought out to search the car after the driver got cute with answering questions by the LEO. Right, or wrong, it can ruin an evening.
Remember in California the gun and the ammunition must be in separate locked containers, and can be considered a concealed weapon.
Remember in California the gun and the ammunition must be in separate locked containers, and can be considered a concealed weapon.