So, it happened - my first traffic stop by a LEO while carrying concealed. I saw the lights flashing behind me and turned off the road at the earliest safe location.
After having read a lot about how to handle the situation (I live in Michigan and I am required by law to disclose), I grabbed my wallet from my pocket, got out my driver's license and concealed pistol license, and rolled down my window. When the cop approached I had both hands on the wheel. He asked for my license and I passed him both, and said "Officer, I am carrying a concealed weapon".
Well, his response sort of surprised me:
"Mr. XXXXXX I am pulling you over for speeding. You were going 13 over the limit, so I had to pull you over."
He then passed my CPL back to me and walked back to his car to write the ticket.
Anyway, I was surprised that he chose not to disarm me. I'm not a cop but I would be extremely uncomfortable returning to a vehicle to deliver a ticket to an armed person that I have never met and don't know anything about, though he obviously made some sort of judgment call, based on the information at his disposal.
He wrote me up for "Impeding Traffic" which in my state is no points, and as I understand does not appear on your record. Really, it's a cash cow for the city as they do not have to share any of the "proceeds" with the state. I don't mind since I did break the law and it is much better than getting points on my record and having my insurance go up hundreds of $$$ per year. As I considered this a “break” I politely thanked him and proceeded on my way.
I would love to see responses from some LEOs so I might understand their thought process in these situations, and why they may or may not disarm the person. In other words - as an LEO have you already decided to disarm every person in every case as standard procedure, or do you make that call on an individual basis? If your decision to disarm is always made on the scene, what is your criteria (besides obvious stupidity on the driver’s part such as giving you attitude, reeking of alcohol, or otherwise doing something illegal on top of the traffic offense)?
Final thoughts before I click "submit new thread":
- I really hope this thread doesn't go south, I am very interested in hear from some LEOs, so please no bad-mouthing any officers. That is not the intent of this thread.
- Mods: If this is posted in the wrong place, please move, or if it seems like a ticking bomb - feel free to lock or delete.
After having read a lot about how to handle the situation (I live in Michigan and I am required by law to disclose), I grabbed my wallet from my pocket, got out my driver's license and concealed pistol license, and rolled down my window. When the cop approached I had both hands on the wheel. He asked for my license and I passed him both, and said "Officer, I am carrying a concealed weapon".
Well, his response sort of surprised me:
"Mr. XXXXXX I am pulling you over for speeding. You were going 13 over the limit, so I had to pull you over."
He then passed my CPL back to me and walked back to his car to write the ticket.
Anyway, I was surprised that he chose not to disarm me. I'm not a cop but I would be extremely uncomfortable returning to a vehicle to deliver a ticket to an armed person that I have never met and don't know anything about, though he obviously made some sort of judgment call, based on the information at his disposal.
He wrote me up for "Impeding Traffic" which in my state is no points, and as I understand does not appear on your record. Really, it's a cash cow for the city as they do not have to share any of the "proceeds" with the state. I don't mind since I did break the law and it is much better than getting points on my record and having my insurance go up hundreds of $$$ per year. As I considered this a “break” I politely thanked him and proceeded on my way.
I would love to see responses from some LEOs so I might understand their thought process in these situations, and why they may or may not disarm the person. In other words - as an LEO have you already decided to disarm every person in every case as standard procedure, or do you make that call on an individual basis? If your decision to disarm is always made on the scene, what is your criteria (besides obvious stupidity on the driver’s part such as giving you attitude, reeking of alcohol, or otherwise doing something illegal on top of the traffic offense)?
Final thoughts before I click "submit new thread":
- I really hope this thread doesn't go south, I am very interested in hear from some LEOs, so please no bad-mouthing any officers. That is not the intent of this thread.
- Mods: If this is posted in the wrong place, please move, or if it seems like a ticking bomb - feel free to lock or delete.