Thats one of the many things the NRA has fought for is to keep CCW private. Here in FLA when they run or swipe the drivers license all that comes up is the info that MVR has. Nothing about CCW or gun ownership. I still feel its best to inform whether it required or not. Safest for all involved.
Tips When Stopped by Police
- Thread starter Pahoo
- Start date
Thats one of the many things the NRA has fought for is to keep CCW private. Here in FLA when they run or swipe the drivers license all that comes up is the info that MVR has. Nothing about CCW or gun ownership. I still feel its best to inform whether it required or not. Safest for all involved.
spacecoast
New member
I hope you're speaking of a "must inform officer" state. Florida is NOT one of those and if/when stopped, I have no intention of informing.
If it's a routine traffic stop, and there's no chance the officer is going to run into the gun (i.e. it's in my center console) then I will not inform. As long as it's within the law, why complicate your life unnecessarily?
I'll repeat the story, from a Daytona Beach PD officer. Traffic stop, driver leans over to get registration from glove box, butt of gun pops out from under his shirt, driver yanked from car at gun point, to the ground. Overkill by PD, maybe. Had he informed this would not have happened. Do as you wish and either reap the rewards of not telling and feeling you got one up on the PD or aggravation and complicate things.
Just curious as to why informing the officer would complicate life if you are within the law and LEGAL???????
spacecoast
New member
I think the officer is more likely to react negatively if he knows I am carrying than if he doesn't know (as your story illustrates). Again, the method with which I carry in the car precludes accidental exposure. If he asks directly, I won't lie to him, but I'm not going to volunteer the info.
Be polite, I have found that this makes it better for everyone.
I got pulled over the other day, I told him I had a permit and was carrying. He asked me what I had, a colt 45 in the front pocket, a 1911 iwb right hip, a ruger 100 3in barrel 357 on right ankle, a shotgun in the trunk, ar15 too, a boker magnum in left front pocket, spare mags and speed loader in left holster.
He said well best be prepared and let me go
was a lite day I didnt need my other gear.....
I got pulled over the other day, I told him I had a permit and was carrying. He asked me what I had, a colt 45 in the front pocket, a 1911 iwb right hip, a ruger 100 3in barrel 357 on right ankle, a shotgun in the trunk, ar15 too, a boker magnum in left front pocket, spare mags and speed loader in left holster.
He said well best be prepared and let me go
was a lite day I didnt need my other gear.....Spats McGee
Administrator
If he'd asked you what you were afraid of, you could've pulled off that old joke and told him, "Not a damn thing!"markj said:
Having worked in and with law enforcement here's my two pennies....
1) Turn the vehicle off, but keep your seatbelt on.
A vehicle is a great big weapon, please disable it so as to present no threat. If conditions warrent (very cold or very hot) ask the officer if you can re-start the vehicle for heat or a/c.
2) Turn the radio and any other noisy devices off. Turn your emergency flashers ON. If it's dark turn the interior lights on.
3) Place your hands in sight on the steering wheel. Advise your passengers to put their hands in their laps and SIT STILL.
4) DO NOT get out anything ahead of time, DO NOT rummage around, DO NOT go into the glovebox or other compartments until the officer asks you for your paperwork. Law enforcement HATES to watch frantic activity in a vehicle they are approaching since it could be someone getting their paperwork, or hiding something, or preparing weapons. Don't do it!
5) Inform that you are armed if required, don't if you aren't. The best phrase I've heard is "Officer, I wanted to inform you that I am legally armed, what would you like me to do?".
6) One voice (the driver) speaks for the car. Everyone else should remain silent unless the officer directly asks them a question. This avoids confusion.
And finally, always remember that right there, on the side of the road, the officer is ALWAYS right. Any dispute or issue should be taken up LATER in the secure venue of an office or court. Raising issues on the side of the road where an office may consider their safety to be marginal at best is a lot like prodding an angry bull from inside the fence line and makes about as much sense.
1) Turn the vehicle off, but keep your seatbelt on.
A vehicle is a great big weapon, please disable it so as to present no threat. If conditions warrent (very cold or very hot) ask the officer if you can re-start the vehicle for heat or a/c.
2) Turn the radio and any other noisy devices off. Turn your emergency flashers ON. If it's dark turn the interior lights on.
3) Place your hands in sight on the steering wheel. Advise your passengers to put their hands in their laps and SIT STILL.
4) DO NOT get out anything ahead of time, DO NOT rummage around, DO NOT go into the glovebox or other compartments until the officer asks you for your paperwork. Law enforcement HATES to watch frantic activity in a vehicle they are approaching since it could be someone getting their paperwork, or hiding something, or preparing weapons. Don't do it!
5) Inform that you are armed if required, don't if you aren't. The best phrase I've heard is "Officer, I wanted to inform you that I am legally armed, what would you like me to do?".
6) One voice (the driver) speaks for the car. Everyone else should remain silent unless the officer directly asks them a question. This avoids confusion.
And finally, always remember that right there, on the side of the road, the officer is ALWAYS right. Any dispute or issue should be taken up LATER in the secure venue of an office or court. Raising issues on the side of the road where an office may consider their safety to be marginal at best is a lot like prodding an angry bull from inside the fence line and makes about as much sense.
My advice when stopped in a traffic stop.
Have your information available where you can get it without looking like you are doing something from the rear. Place it in your hand, and put both hands on the steering wheel and roll the window down.
In WA we do not have an inform law, so include your permit if you wish, or not. When they run your license, your CPL will show up with your information.
When the officer approaches, hand him your information and place your hands back on the steering wheel.
In doing things this way I have never been asked anything about my weapon, even when it was in plain sight. I don't get stopped very often, maybe 5 times in the last 40 years, but it has always worked for me.
That method was taught to me by a WSP officer (friend) years ago.
Have your information available where you can get it without looking like you are doing something from the rear. Place it in your hand, and put both hands on the steering wheel and roll the window down.
In WA we do not have an inform law, so include your permit if you wish, or not. When they run your license, your CPL will show up with your information.
When the officer approaches, hand him your information and place your hands back on the steering wheel.
In doing things this way I have never been asked anything about my weapon, even when it was in plain sight. I don't get stopped very often, maybe 5 times in the last 40 years, but it has always worked for me.
That method was taught to me by a WSP officer (friend) years ago.
After the incident that I described in my previous post, I wondered the same thing myself, particularly because I'd never been asked that question when pulled over before (though that was the first and only time I've been stopped by a State Trooper). Before I elaborate further, I should probably more thoroughly describe the incident in question:
I was stopped by an IN State Trooper for a seat belt violation. When the officer asked me if I had a firearm in the vehicle I told him that I did and he asked where it was. I replied that it was under the driver's seat and he asked me to hand it to him. I complied with his request and handed him my gun in the zippered case I keep it in. He asked if there was a round in the chamber (he hadn't actually seen the gun yet, he'd just been handed the zipped-up case) to which I replied that it was a revolver and that it was indeed loaded. He then asked for my driver's license, registration, and LTCH (that's what a CCL is called in IN) and took them, along with my handgun back to his car. He returned with my license, registration, LTCH, still-loaded revolver, and a ticket for the seat belt violation and we both went on our way.
Shortly after the aforementioned traffic stop, I asked that question of an acquaintance of mine who happens to be a reserve deputy for the Bartholomew County IN Sheriff's Dept. He told me that it was unlikely that the State Police had LTCH info when running plates and that it was probably just the policy of the State Police to ask. He also told me that, because I did indeed have a gun in the vehicle when I was stopped, that when my plates were run in the future the officer would probably be informed that I was known to carry a handgun and possibly the make, model, and serial number of the gun I had that day (S&W Model 629-6 if anyone cares).
I was waiting for it...
Years ago I was pulled over at 3am, I had a few drinks, well maybe more than a few. A cop hitsthe lites pulls me over. I am running down numbers in my head of folks to call and bail me out I smelled like a still. Cop asks me for my stuff, I hand it over he drops it wind takes it away he runs after it. Comes back to the truck and says my headlite is out. I get out and hit the fender lite comes on. He hands me my stuff tellsme to get it fixed and huffs and puffs to his car leaving me there in a shocked state. I get in and drive away he was still trying to catch his breath.....
I often wondered if he resented that stop....
youngunz4life
New member
in TX it is actually against the law to not provide your CCW ID when asked for or providing your regular ID(license). at least that is the way I read it last night on www.handgunlaw.us (click on TX). we are driving thru there, and I was curious of the laws.