I got pulled over by a LEO

A

ArmySon

Staff Alumnus
I was cruising down the route 30 when I noticed flashing lights. I was only going 5 mph over the speed limit so I wondered what did I do wrong?

The LEO had a window mounted radar gun. He was driving in an unmarked.

He came up to my window and asked for my license and registration. I asked him what I did wrong. He stated I was speeding. I said I was only going 5 mph over the speed limit. He said that doesn't matter. You were speeding.

Anyway, I handed him my driver's license and registration. I also handed him my CCW and stated I was carrying a loaded firearm concealed. His eyes popped open real wide.

The state officer, being a rookie, asked me to step out of the vehicle. He then stated that he didn't see a gun on me. I told him it was concealed. The officer then asked where. I told him that I was carrying it inside the waistband behind on my right hip. He looked really puzzled and lifted up my shirt.

His next sentence almost had me laughing. The officer stated, "Gee, how can you conceal a gun that big without it bulging?"

To make a long story short, he appreciated the fact I informed him of the loaded gun and showing him my CCW. He let me off the hook without a ticket. I didn't appreciate the fact I had to step out of my vehicle so he can see the concealed 1911. I also realized that he was a rookie (he told me so). I guess I can handle that since I got away with a $100 ticket.

Yes the ticket would've been close to $100 here in Pennsylvania.

This isn't a bash against LEO's. I am just sharing what happened today.
 
Look on the bright side: he didn't do anything TOO nasty, you didn't do anything wrong (in fact your carry professionalism impressed him), so this rookie will have a better attitude towards the next permitholder.

We've heard of people being disarmed, their guns unloaded and left in the back seat with strict orders not to put it back in operable condition until the cop is gone.

But all this kind of thing is rare. The reality is, permitholders should be the last people to give cops the willies.

Jim
 
I was pulled over a month or so ago by the CHP. I was doing 80mph in a 65mph zone. I informed him of my permit, he didnt ask me to step out of my truck or to see the pistol, just wrote the ticket and said "have a nice day".
 
Jim they do that all the time here in AZ.Remove the firearm,unload and then when they are all done put it in the passinger side front seat and use that opertunity to do a visual search of the inside of you car.They do all this before giveing you a warningticket or a regular ticket.I would assume if you protested them going into your car your warning ticket would turn into a reagular ticket very fast.Don't know how to fight this either.

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Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.
 
I hope if I get pulled over, they don't try to strong arm me into being searched.. carry illegal due to my intense self respect for my life. But, it is good to hear that everything went well. Many rookies that I've met are out to "make a name for themselves" or are "high" on power. Not all, but some. I would have asked the same thing.. how the heck DO you fit that hog leg on your body without printing?

Many to most LEO's are good folk. Just trying to make a buck the same as all law obiding citizens. Unfortunatly, many take a dim view of these hard working men and women because of others let the "power" go to their heads. Like on "COPS"... they (LEO's) are in the spotlight so they "act" tough or come up with off the wall statements concerning citizens and/or guns.

When I've been stopped, I've been in the wrong. But being professional, clear headed, and respectful have proven to be the best thing you can do. I just draw the line at illegal search and seizure (carring a gun, concealled, here gets my gun seized and a hefty fine... damn the BoR's and the Constitutional laws). They (LEO's) can have dogs sniff my car all day, on the outside. They can have me get out of the vehicle, but they'd better arrest me or get a warrent before they search my body or my car. On "COPS" they search everyone but they don't read them their Rights or put them under arrest.. this kind of struck me as odd... almost like they are "training" us to submit to whatever the police wish. On one episode, the Vegas one, they stopped two folks on a bench. They didn't ask for consent to search, they just started to search the "suspects". What did they do? Nothing but sitting on the bench looking poor or drugged up. They (the LEO's) found a butterfly knife and a switchblade (illegal in NV). After they found the knives, they arrested and read the miranda act.

Okay, enough of my rants and thoughts.

USP45usp
 
I know a retired pro 2A LEO who says it's better not to volunteer too much info to a LEO when stopped for traffic violation....
 
Glad things worked out, but 5 mph over? 'No comment' is the nicest thing I can say.

Here in AZ we're required to present our CCW permit 'upon request', and that is my policy. Being an honest citizen, I see no reason to reveal my armed status to an LEO, and to risk having my firearm inspected, and perhaps unloaded and 'registered' by the officer. It is not their business, IMHO.

How about officer safety? If an officer assumes people are unarmed until he / she finds out otherwise, then they are headed for trouble. Every LEO should assume that every citizen is armed. I think LEO's will agree with that sentiment.

IMHO, this desire to tell all LEO's that we are armed is not good policy. No criticism of you, ArmySon ... I only mention it because it appears that a number of my friends on TFL seem to take pride in divulging this information. (Of course, my perspective would not apply if your state requires such notice.)

Regards from AZ
 
Heh heh...you think your cops drive unmarked cars? The state police at Springfield just got ANOTHER white Camaro. This one looks to be a Z28 with the cool five-spoke alloys and all. I would never have known except that I passed by as it pulled over a semi the other day.

Hey, ArmySon, this is way off topic but I finished my first batch of handloads yesterday. I made a second "experimental" bunch today with a different powder. I have 50 rds of Unique and 50 rds of Accurate #5. 5 rds at 5.3 gr, 5 rds at 5.4, and so on. I can't wait to get out and shoot 'em Tuesday to see if any of 'em beat the factory hardball I'm shooting now. My goal for now is 2 inches at 7 yds offhand. When I can do that, we'll see about the next step. And at next year's EOSM, you and I will shoot some of "our" handloads. Thanks again.
 
Don,
Make sure you let me know how your handloads shoot. Sometime down the road, you should try 4.0 grains of Bullseye with a 200 gr. lswc. It's a very nice target load. It's also easy on your slide and frame too.
 
Son,

Glad it worked out relatively well. If the carry weapon were your new Wilson KZ, I would have taken about the next hour admiring it inside and out.

Regards.
 
Jeff Thomas,
To answer your question on why I stated I was carrying a concealed handgun. Here were the reasons:

Why?

1. NRA and GOA stickers all over my Jeep Cherokee
2. Range bag, ammo cans, handgun cases, single shot Browning BT-100 shotgun, Barrett Model 95, Remington 700 PSS .308 and pre-ban Colt SP1 Carbine in the trunk.
*note- no trunk cover in my Jeep*

The officer obviously saw all guns and ammo in the trunk. I believed he pulled me over not for speeding but because of the pro-gun stickers. 5 mph is not justifiable. Since he obviously saw all the guns and ammo, the last thing I needed was him being all nervous and trigger happy. If there was nothing in my trunk, I never would've told him about me carrying concealed.

Not only is he concerned for his well-being, as a law abiding citizen, I am also concerned of a cop that pulls me over for speeding 5 mph over the limit. Usually in these stops, they're not really pulling you over for speeding. It's probable cause for a "fishing expedition". I believe the "fishing expedition" was a result of the cop being new and pro-gun stickers all over my Jeep.

Call me paranoid if you wish but in that situation, I was more concerned about a possibly ignorant trigger jumpy officer then the "none of their business" philosophy.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by USP45usp:
On "COPS" they search everyone but they don't read them their Rights or put them under arrest.. this kind of struck me as odd... almost like they are "training" us to submit to whatever the police wish.
USP45usp[/quote]

Reading someone their rights (Miranda Warning) has nothing to do with searching someone or arresting them. Miranda warning is given once an officer suspects a person of violating a law, the person is detained and the LEO is questioning the person about the crime. LEOs can do a pat search of a person's body for weapons without a warrant per SCOTUS (Terry v. Ohio 392 U.S. 1 1968 ...."the officer may "frisk" or "pat down" the outer surfaces ot the individual's clothing for the limited purposes of determining if he is in fact armed. If the officer feels a weapon, he may reach inside the clothing to retrieve it. The weapon is admissable in a prosecution.").
 
5 over was most likely probably cause to look for something else. As mentioned before, that is also known as a slow night. :)
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
I hope if I get pulled over, they don't try to strong arm me into being searched.. carry illegal due to my intense self respect for my life.[/quote]

Loose lips sink ships...or get you in trouble. Do we *really* need to know that, especially since the lurkers on this forum may well have malice on their minds and put your user name with your real name and license plate someday?

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Oleg "peacemonger" Volk

http://www.a-human-right.com
http://www.olegvolk.net
 
When I read about these "no probable cause" searches, I find myself thinking about that old James Bond movie, where the bad guy reaches into Bond's coat to disarm him, and something like a sharp mini-beartrap clamps down - hard - on his fingers.

Too bad it's fiction...
 
LOL:
Son, dont feel bad... Same thing happened to me for 2 MPH over.

Funny - how many times I have had problems on the highway where I was stuck on the side of the road. Plenty of Highway Bandits- I mean troopers went by... no one stopped to help. Ever. My wife, with a van full of babies... they didnt stop.
But they will pull you over for 2 Over.
I have little use for state police, highway patrol guys. Revenue Collectors...

If a TFL member here is a Highway Man - I am sorry if my words offend you... Please read between the lines - YOU GUYS ARE THERE TO HELP EVERYONE!
I'll save this rant for another time...

Oh - One time I did have a trooper stop and offer help. On the interstate through Kansas. I stopped so we could change a diaper. Cruiser pulled up behind us within 60 seconds. Asked if everything was alright... We explained the pitstop and thanked him... He waved happily and sped off.
Oh - thats right - the back of the car said SHERRIF on it!
 
Oleg: Yes, you're right. I am now "legal", got my fishing license and a hunting licence this morning. As long as I am "coming" or "going" to a fishing or hunting expedition then I can legally carry concealled. I thought about my statements concerning opening my mouth and inserting foot. I think I do it as a form of civil disobedience, because I KNOW that my Rights are being violated by government and/or simple minded people. Also, I may be blowing smoke out my rear when I state these things, so any lurkers with malice may go ahead and connect my username, with my name, and maybe even my car, not that it will do them any good. To do so will show that the need to carry is justified due to these people are on a stalking expedition with an unknown agenda or intent. It's a chance that I will take in order to make my points.

USP45usp
 
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