Michigan CCW Question

V

vanden

Inactive
Hi everyone,

I have a question about CCW in Michigan. State law requires that if you're carrying and you have a CPL that you inform a LEO immediately when interacting with them (a traffic stop, for instance). My problem is that I have some people (friends, co-workers) who ride in the car with me who I do not want to know that I am carrying. So if I am pulled over with them in the car, is there any way of informing the LEO without the people riding with me knowing what's going on? Any other suggestions to get around this?

Thanks for the help.
 
I don't know if there is any way around it. Flashing the gun from under your coat just so he can see it while putting your finger to your lips indicating (sssssssssh) is probably a bad idea. Making a gun out of your finger and thumb is probably not a good idea. I don't quite understand the big secret, but if it is the law to inform, you should inform.
 
I live and work in a very liberal community, and concealed carry is definitely looked down upon. The education process to get people to understand why I carry takes a long time, and I'd rather not have it sprung on them unexpected because I got pulled over :(
 
Hey, vanden, "swing a pair" will ya?

What I mean is this: do you find liberty so embarrassing that you'll not exercise them???

What is so "special" about your social group that you choose to remain unarmed - if that's what you REALLY want to do?

What, pray tell, would happen with your relationships if you had to use the firearm?

You've got a choice: Sell your firearm and turn in your CPL (it's not a "CCW" - read the license, please) or "swing a pair" and let the chips fall where they may. Sounds like you have some odd "friends".

One more word of advice: find a set of FRIENDS not associates and live according to your convictions. Life will be more simple and much more rewarding.

Inform the officer lest he suspect something and decides to pursue the issue. Then you will lose not just your social group...
 
I agree. Tell your friends up front, in an excited manner that you got your carry permit. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Tell them you carry beforehand. If they don't understand, they aren't friends.
 
No way around it, you do what you gotta do.

That said, I don't mention that I carry unless I need to, half my extended family and friends have no idea - I'm not ashamed, I just don't think it's relavent.
 
Don't tell anybody that your carry unless you feel like it. If you feel comfortable telling them, then go ahead.

But if stopped, whip it out like the big fella that it is (the license...) and put it on display for all to admire.

If someone questions, "wow, you carry?" give'm a "My God, You Don't?"
 
When I resided in MI, and...

was stopped (Twice).

The first time the Washtenaw Sheriff, never gave me a opportunity to inform him until the end. (Got warning) and Thanks for the notice.

Second time was outside Jackson, the township deputy, after allowing me to pull into a parking lot @ 6:30AM as he approached i ahd the window down (February) and interior lights on, informed "CPL".

My main point is that I wouldn't worry about passengers knowing, also had made up a piece of window plexiglas that I affixed the "self-stick" letters "CPL" and keep that in the side door bottom pocket.
 
I live in Mich. I have been doing a lot of ride-alongs lately,[ I just came in from one right before I logged on tonight, er, this morning :)] and I can tell you first hand if you are being stopped by the police, they have already run your plate, and know if you have a CPL or any wants or warrents, if you're suspended, have any domestic violence history etc. Mich. law states- If you are stopped by the police, [it doesn't matter if you're in a car or on foot] you must inform the officer immediately that you are a CPL holder. Whether you are carrying or not doesn't matter, but if you are, you better have, and must present your CPL upon request by the officer.

Michigan.gov Home MSP Home | On-line Services | FAQ | MSP Site Map | Contact MSP
Proper Conduct During Encounters with Police

Responsibilities of Individuals With a CCW License:

1- An individual licensed to carry a concealed pistol who is stopped by a police officer (traffic stop or otherwise) while in possession of a pistol shall immediately disclose to the police officer that he or she is carrying a concealed pistol either on their person or in their motor vehicle.
Failure to disclose this information to a police officer carries the following penalties:
First offense = State Civil Infraction - $500 fine and 6-month CCW license suspension.
Second offense = State Civil Infraction - $1000 fine and CCW license revocation.
2- An individual licensed to carry a concealed pistol shall have the license in his or her possession at all times he or she is carrying a concealed pistol.
Failure to possess CCW license when carrying a concealed pistol is a State Civil Infraction and a $100.00 fine.
3- Upon request, an individual licensed to carry a concealed pistol shall show both of the following to a police officer:
His or her license to carry a concealed pistol
His or her driver license or personal identification card
Failure to show CCW license and Michigan driver license or Michigan personal identification card when carrying a concealed pistol is a State Civil Infraction and $100.00 fine.
4- A pistol carried in violation of numbers 1, 2, or 3 is subject to immediate seizure by a police officer.
If a weapon is seized for failure to possess a CCW license while carrying a concealed pistol:
Individual has 45 days in which to display their license to carry a concealed pistol to the law enforcement agency that seized the pistol and the pistol shall be returned.
If the individual does not display their license to carry a concealed pistol within 45 days the pistol is subject to forfeiture.
To Ensure Safety During Police Encounters
If you are stopped by a law enforcement officer you should:

Keep your hands where an officer can see them.
Cooperate fully with the police officer.
If you have a gun with you, tell the police officer as soon as possible.
Do not make any quick movements, especially toward the weapon.
If in a vehicle at night, turn on your vehicle's dome light.
In certain circumstances, a law enforcement officer may take temporary possession of the weapon during interaction with the individual to ensure the safety of the officer and others. The police officer will return the pistol at the end of the stop unless the individual is being charged with a violation of the act or any other law that allows for the weapon to be seized.
 
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In the post above,that I took from the Mich state police web sight it says "shall inform the officer immeiately", then down below says "as soon as possible".
I can tell you the department I've been riding with employs the two guys I took my CPL course with several years ago, and they told the class I was in, to wait until the officer was at your window, then in a calm and clear voice inform the officer of your CPL and whether you are carrying or not. They also said "Don't lean out the window, or start shouting back towards the patrol car about your CPL", because there's agood chance the officer won't understand what you're saying and might take more aggressive action towards you. After riding with them, I can tell you that from the patrol car, it's about impossible to hear anyone clearly from the vehicle in front of you, and as it states in the post above, "keep your hands where they can see them", and don't be squirming around behind the wheel.
If it bothers you for your liberal friends to know you carry, I would suggest that you obey ALL traffic laws, and avoid being stopped in the first place.:D
 
Why not just hand him/ her your card/ permit along with

your drivers license? As I understand it the law doesn't require you verbally inform the office ...just that you inform them. Giving them your permit would be the same.... what if you were speech impaired?

Of course then the officer may do all kinds of things, as we've heard...but that's about the best you can do.
 
So what's the minimum I could say to count as informing the officer? Can I just say, "I have a CPL" and leave it at that? Or do I need to say, "I am carrying a concealed pistol"?

Thanks for the help everyone.
 
So what's the minimum I could say to count as informing the officer? Can I just say, "I have a CPL" and leave it at that? Or do I need to say, "I am carrying a concealed pistol"?

Thanks for the help everyone.
Click to expand...

The way it is in the state of Texas, and the way it is in Michigan aswell from what I've gathered, is that you have to inform the officer if you are, in fact, currently in possession of a firearm as well.

The line I've memorized here in TX is "I'd also like to inform you that I am a CHL holder and am currently in posession of a handgun" - I'd imagine the ideal line in MI is quite similar.
 
All I state is...

"Am exercising CPL"!


And in Michigan the motto is: "In God we trust, all others get LEIN"
(Law Enforcement Information Net)
Similar to what was used on "Joe the Plumber"
 
Didn't they teach you the law in your class?

Tell the officer you have a license and have a handgun in your possession. Keep your hands on the wheel, or in the air if your are a passenger.

What and follow the officer's commands/directions.

Do not point at the gun or make any movement toward it, unless specifically instructed by the officer to do so.
 
I live in Mich

and have on 2 ccasions been stopped by the police, a sheriff and the state police. I waited until theywere at the window, I had my hands on the top of the steering wheel, I then informed the officer of the fact I am carrying a concealed weapon. I wait for the officer to ask for both my licenses. Both times the officers asked where the gun was. in both cases I said on my right hip,as is my wallet. I make slow deliberate moves. I also have taken the keys out and laid them on the roof of the car. I normally do not tell people I carry for two reasons one I am carry concealed, no one need to know. It's no one busness I am doing nothing to be ashamed of, and it is legal and my right. If I do tell a person, wheither a friend or co-worker and am asked why I carry a gun I simply said because I can, and don't engage in a debate. I was taught in my CPL class that as a CPL holder I am responsible to every other CPL holder as I represent all CPL holders. Oh by the way I got off with warning both times. I am vet. and I over shoot the speed limit sometimes
 
I know there are some stupid people in this world... I seen them

on U-Tube and TV... but I still can't see what danger an LEO should consider themselves in after you've informed them you have a handgun on you. When you meet a LEO on the street or somewhere who is carrying a gun do you automatically feel in danger?

Is it just us or is it just them that makes the common average citizen a danger when they ALSO have a gun?
 
I agree with the "I'm exercising CPL" statement. I doubt many non-gun folks will put together what that means, fewer than CCW anyway. You can take that route and hope that the officer doesn't inquire further, though it sounds like as often as not they ask where the gun is so /shrug.

If you get pulled over your day is already in the toilet anyway. May as well compound it with an awkward social situation I guess.
 
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