What to say to a police officer
- Thread starter Pep in CA
- Start date
Aguila Blanca
Staff
REALLY?!? What state is this?Pahoo said:
I'd be in big trouble if I had to produce a proof of purchase for any pistol I might carry. I have handguns that I've owned for more than 40 years, that have been through multiple moves. Any proof of purchase I might once have had disappeared decades ago.
Aguila Blanca
Staff
Ah.
And I thought Pahoo was referring to the officer asking for the firearms license, not the driver's license.
It sure is a good thing we all speak English ... Imagine the confusion if we didn't.
And I thought Pahoo was referring to the officer asking for the firearms license, not the driver's license.
It sure is a good thing we all speak English ... Imagine the confusion if we didn't.
buckhorn_cortez
New member
Interestingly, if you are on an Indian Reservation in the State of New Mexico, the Indian Police have the right to confiscate a gun UNLESS you can provide a proof of purchase for the gun with your name and the gun's serial number.
For self defense guns that I regularly carry in my truck, I keep reduced copies of the bills-of-sale showing the gun's serial number and my name in my wallet.
I don't answer any questions asked by police officers beyond the required paperwork (Drivers License, Registration, Insurance). I admit that they generally don't like this, but frankly, I don't care.
I don't have many dealings with them, but I have never been asked if I have any weapons, the first question is usually something like "where are you going", and they never get past the first question.
I don't have many dealings with them, but I have never been asked if I have any weapons, the first question is usually something like "where are you going", and they never get past the first question.
g.willikers
New member
A pause for the COZ
New member
Although I understand the sentiment. I would advise not doing that.
That response is why they have control of well over half our country now.
Had people stayed and engaged these whakos in the 70's and 80's we would not be at risk of having our freedom gleefully voted away today.
The more they push us into groups the more they can control.
I am attached to Minnesota. I vow to fight them every step of the way.
Frank Ettin
Administrator
A lot of worthless and useless chatter in this thread. The issue raised by the OP, who says he lives in California, is primarily a unique, California issue.
Under California law, a handgun transported in a vehicle must be unloaded and in a locked container. There is a California statute that basically provides that if an LEO is aware there's a gun in the car, he must be allowed to inspect it to verify that it is being transported properly. That statute has survived Fourht Amendment challenges, so its validity and effect aren't at present subject to challenge.
Given the underlying California law, the OP's question is a basic and practical one. So much that has been posted is very much beside the point and completely irrelevant to his concerns.
Under California law, a handgun transported in a vehicle must be unloaded and in a locked container. There is a California statute that basically provides that if an LEO is aware there's a gun in the car, he must be allowed to inspect it to verify that it is being transported properly. That statute has survived Fourht Amendment challenges, so its validity and effect aren't at present subject to challenge.
Given the underlying California law, the OP's question is a basic and practical one. So much that has been posted is very much beside the point and completely irrelevant to his concerns.
tony pasley
New member
I was stopped at a DWI check point and was asked about weapons in my van. I said yes have 20 shotguns and 4,000 rounds of shotgun shells I was promptly escorted to the range I was going to and they even helped unload for the for the shoot which was for PAL club.
g.willikers
New member
^^^
Would have liked to see the looks on faces before they understood and offered to help.
Would have liked to see the looks on faces before they understood and offered to help.
As has been answered already, your response will depend on local laws. As many have said, the overwhelming vast majority of law abiding motorists will never be asked for much more than license, registration, why did you commit xxxxxxxx traffic violation. We are kind of sweating the small stuff unless you have a (recent) criminal record, face tattoos of tear drops or lil Wayne crosses, and you're in the rough part of town. I highly doubt most people that I envision on this forum would set off a cops spidy senses.
That being said, stuff happens. You take a wrong turn, wind up in the rough part of town, you circle the block twice trying to find your way back to a main road, and its late at night. You happen to make a turn without signaling and get pulled, because at that point the cop is begging for a traffic violation so he can talk to you. Why, because this is his beat and he thinks you just circled the block twice to go sell stolen property at one of the eight dope houses on the block. He would be a lousy cop if he didn't at least suspect that. Your best bet? Stay calm, answer the questions politely, be cooperative, and explain your circumstance when you get a chance. In this way, there is a 99% chance of a good outcome. It will be seen for the misunderstanding that it is and you will likely be aided on your way and out if the rough part of town.
The overwhelming vast majority of cops are good people and don't want to cart the innocent off to jail. There is a minority of cops who are dirty, or at least are curt and jerks. If you are unlucky enough to encounter this minority, sue them later. If you start to feel the cop is going overboard for no reason, take your phone out and discreetly record the encounter.
That being said, stuff happens. You take a wrong turn, wind up in the rough part of town, you circle the block twice trying to find your way back to a main road, and its late at night. You happen to make a turn without signaling and get pulled, because at that point the cop is begging for a traffic violation so he can talk to you. Why, because this is his beat and he thinks you just circled the block twice to go sell stolen property at one of the eight dope houses on the block. He would be a lousy cop if he didn't at least suspect that. Your best bet? Stay calm, answer the questions politely, be cooperative, and explain your circumstance when you get a chance. In this way, there is a 99% chance of a good outcome. It will be seen for the misunderstanding that it is and you will likely be aided on your way and out if the rough part of town.
The overwhelming vast majority of cops are good people and don't want to cart the innocent off to jail. There is a minority of cops who are dirty, or at least are curt and jerks. If you are unlucky enough to encounter this minority, sue them later. If you start to feel the cop is going overboard for no reason, take your phone out and discreetly record the encounter.
I agree, and that's the way cops are here where I am.
The reason I posted this thread is because my firearms trainer told the class we should keep quiet, but I generally like cops and appreciate the job they do. Every cop I've talked to was cool, and I don't want to get into an argument with them.
I haven't been pulled over for a traffic violation in decades, but I have been stopped a DUI checkpoints. That's another topic, not firearms related. Please don't go there. ;-)
One of the reasons a trainer or instructor will advise not saying anything is that the less you open your mouth, the better the odds of keeping your foot out of it. 
There is always the unlikely, but not impossible chance of meeting the cop who freaks out at hearing there is a gun somewhere that you get bodyslammed into the hood of your car, or worse, shot up.
These kind of people aren't supposed to be out there, but they could be.
Personally, (and it hasn't happened, yet) I'd be fine with telling the officer ON PRINCIPLE, that I have firearms, in legal storage for transport in my vehicle.
However, I do wonder about the risk of harm to my old, getting frail self while the younger, possibly paranoid officer "secures" the situation. Watchinc COPS type shows teaches that, now doesn't it??
I am mildly concerned about the possibility of a cop asking a "fishing" type question (such as "for his safey, is there anything dangerous in the vehicle?), etc., my HONEST reply in the negative, and then him deciding I deliberately lied to him when a gun(s) turns up. I do honestly believe that an unloaded gun, in a case, or a locked compartment (trunk) is NOT a danger to ANYONE.
But if their opinion is that the presence of a gun, even properly stored for transport is a "danger" to them, they aren't going to believe I told the truth.
The overwhelming majority of cops are reasonable people, but there are some who aren't, Probably always been this way, probably always will be. Every group has bad apples, and if you keep your mouth shut (other than when you have to) odds are better you won't get a big bite.
There is always the unlikely, but not impossible chance of meeting the cop who freaks out at hearing there is a gun somewhere that you get bodyslammed into the hood of your car, or worse, shot up.
These kind of people aren't supposed to be out there, but they could be.
Personally, (and it hasn't happened, yet) I'd be fine with telling the officer ON PRINCIPLE, that I have firearms, in legal storage for transport in my vehicle.
However, I do wonder about the risk of harm to my old, getting frail self while the younger, possibly paranoid officer "secures" the situation. Watchinc COPS type shows teaches that, now doesn't it??
I am mildly concerned about the possibility of a cop asking a "fishing" type question (such as "for his safey, is there anything dangerous in the vehicle?), etc., my HONEST reply in the negative, and then him deciding I deliberately lied to him when a gun(s) turns up. I do honestly believe that an unloaded gun, in a case, or a locked compartment (trunk) is NOT a danger to ANYONE.
But if their opinion is that the presence of a gun, even properly stored for transport is a "danger" to them, they aren't going to believe I told the truth.
The overwhelming majority of cops are reasonable people, but there are some who aren't, Probably always been this way, probably always will be. Every group has bad apples, and if you keep your mouth shut (other than when you have to) odds are better you won't get a big bite.
Frank Ettin
Administrator
Let's stay focused on the OP. It's about a legal concern, not safe gun handling.
I would recommend obeying your local laws when you carry weapons. In Southern California, with it's constantly changing and rather restrictive gun laws, that might require some research. So, do the research and comply even it's a PITA.
When I got my Alabama carry permit, I asked about how to handle a stop. The officer told me that if I had a gun in my car, either a concealed pistol or a rifle/shotgun, I should hand the officer my permit along with my drivers license, but not say anything. Then let the cop ask about weapons if he feels it's necessary.
I asked if it was OK to carry loaded long guns in my car. He laughed and said I could carry a loaded shotgun across my lap if I wanted to, but please try to keep the muzzle pointed away from the law enforcement officer when he walks up to the window.
I'm glad I no longer live in New York or SoCal.
When I got my Alabama carry permit, I asked about how to handle a stop. The officer told me that if I had a gun in my car, either a concealed pistol or a rifle/shotgun, I should hand the officer my permit along with my drivers license, but not say anything. Then let the cop ask about weapons if he feels it's necessary.
I asked if it was OK to carry loaded long guns in my car. He laughed and said I could carry a loaded shotgun across my lap if I wanted to, but please try to keep the muzzle pointed away from the law enforcement officer when he walks up to the window.
I'm glad I no longer live in New York or SoCal.