Getting pulled over by a LEO .

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RKellogg

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Are there any law about letting a LEO know that you have a gun , pistol or long gun , when you get pulled over . I was thinking about it the other day when I was on my way to my hunting spot .
 
Depends on your state. Just don't get pulled over, although I am not the best person to give that advice.
 
Its a good idea if you have one close to you ie front seat on your person glove box. Dont want any miss under standings to happen. Might end bad.
 
Seriously, I've got a pretty bad lead foot, though not as bad as many I've seen and I'm a good driver otherwise, very much safety-minded.

I was pulled over once while carrying, I just had my license and carry permit in hand before I even pulled over, and kept my hands still and on top of the wheel. I don't know if I have to or not in my state, and I said as much when I handed the officer my cards and told him I had a carry permit and was using it.

He didn't ask for it or have me get out of the car, it was almost a total non-event.

Don't think that kind of courtesy will get you off the hook though, I still got a summons for driving with a suspended registration (what are you gonna do, you can't check everyone's documents when you borrow their car every time can you?) which was dismissed since it wasn't my car and I had no way of knowing.


I didn't answer your question and I'm sorry about that. That is the extent of my experience though.
 
as much as I dislike law enforcement, I do feel a somewhat moral obligation to tell them. If they choose to search your car (all they have to do is say they smelled marijuana) then they'll be pretty upset with you for not telling them.

I respect their job, and until they prove to me that they are not a good person then I will show them the respect that I feel they deserve, part of that is telling them if I'm armed. However, I don't go around armed very often... Like you, going to a hunting spot, or the range is about it. Maybe fishing or something (see my previous post about n.c. open carry) like that but I don't pack heat.

before I get people in an uproar it's best to know that where I am from LEO's are just as likely if not more likely to be the ones who are doing something wrong than anyone else, hence my distrust of anyone with a badge...
 
Its not required by law in NY, nor is it any of their business. You don't say "Officer, I am in possession of a cell phone."
The only time that it becomes their business is if somebody is going to use it against them. In that case, I highly doubt that person is going to notify them anyway.
That being said, if I'm in any encounter with an LEO where I think that there's a high probability that he'll discover I'm not a defenseless subject, I'm going to notify him *before* he notices just so things don't get ugly.
 
Don't draw attention to yourself. Police look for things that stand out. Urban camouflage involves not driving a flashy car or a junker, not dressing flashy, not having a flashy house, not driving fast, yelling, screaming, acting out, showing off, staggering around, fighting, pushing, "getting in people's faces", hanging out with known dirtbags, flipping people off, roadraging, teaching someone some manners. . .well, you get the idea. I don't think my BOSS even knows my name. Staying below the radar guarantees a smooth flight, free from turbulence. Predators (police are predators, they hunt criminals) go for the prey that draws their eye.
 
Don't draw attention to yourself. Police look for things that stand out. Urban camouflage involves not driving a flashy car or a junker, not dressing flashy, not having a flashy house, not driving fast, yelling, screaming, acting out, showing off, staggering around, fighting, pushing, "getting in people's faces", hanging out with known dirtbags, flipping people off, roadraging, teaching someone some manners. . .well, you get the idea. I don't think my BOSS even knows my name. Staying below the radar guarantees a smooth flight, free from turbulence. Predators (police are predators, they hunt criminals) go for the prey that draws their eye.
Sniper, I like your thinking. I'm 42 and have been trying to get my 19 year-old son to subscribe to this concept. I like the term "urban camouflage". I'll pass this post along to son. But I suspect he'll have to learn the hard way.
 
It depends on your state. In AZ (former residence) you were not required to volunteer the information, but were required to answer truthfully if the LEO asked. Some other states connect CCW permits with your DMV (vehicle registration/driver's license) information.

Unless you have a requirement to disclose, I would not bring the subject up.
 
Thanks. In England they use the term "gray man". That's the one in the middle of the crowd that nobody notices, pays attention to, or remembers.
 
This topic is revived monthly and quickly turns into a copy bashing thread, purposly perhaps..?? Cant we just make a Cop Bashing Sticky and be done with it....
 
as much as I dislike law enforcement, I do feel a somewhat moral obligation to tell them. If they choose to search your car (all they have to do is say they smelled marijuana) then they'll be pretty upset with you for not telling them.
The law is the law.

If it does NOT require you to notify, the police can like it or they can lump it. Either way, they have no LEGAL recourse against you. Their "upset" regarding legal activity is their business and creates no obligation on your part.

If you're NOT smoking marijuana and they perform an illegal search, they have committed both a crime and a civil tort against you. They have to IN WRITING justify that "search" for marijuana. Unless you're saying they're going to plant marijuana too, they're diving into a mound of broken glass shards. If you test negative for marijuana what's their explanation going to be?

If they ASK you if you have a firearm, do not lie to them.

Memorize:

"Officer, am I free to leave? No? I have nothing further to say without my attorney present. No, I do not consent to ANY searches."

Repeat as necessary. Keep your mouth shut after invoking your right to counsel.
 
It's not cop bashing, or anti cop, or any of that stuff to simply tell officers what you are legally required to, and then shut up.

It's only cop bashing to cops who think that the general citizenry is beneath them, and the truth is there are not that many of those.

If you are specifically asked if you have a firearm then do like Deanimator says and do NOT lie. But more than likely the question won't come up without a reason for them asking it. Don't give them that reason.

Keep in mind his other statement too. It sounds cold, rehearsed, and maybe even rude to say that to a cop. It might be, depending on the cops attitude. It's also the safest thing to do if you have any interaction with law enforcement.

Cops are smart people. They are for the most part good judges of people as well. Your demeanor and speech will tell them a good deal about you. If you act like a friendly upstanding law abiding citizen who knows his legal rights you will most likely be treated like one.
 
About the only on-topic answer for the OP is that his situation is a function of New York law. Beyond that, "It depends upon the laws of the state you are in, and they differ."
 
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