How do you tell a LEO that you are armed at a traffic stop

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squid841

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I have talked to 3 different LEO and got 3 different answers. One: Don't say anything. Two: tell him/her as she walks up to the bike. Three: Hand the LEO your carry permit with your license, and look Harmless.

I'm in Indiana, but I travel a lot. In Illinois, I just lock the gun in one saddle bag and the clip in the other. The rest of the states, I follow the law (speed limits, etc)

Answer one I don't like. If they do find i'm carrying, They might get REAL miffed!
Answer two I don't like. Well, I think every one can figure that one out. "Hi Officer! I'm Armed!!
I think answer three is the least stressful for all involved.

Your Thoughts, Gentlepersons
 
It depends on the rules of your state. In some states, you have a duty to verbally inform. In other states there is no duty to inform.
 
I used to live in NC, we had to inform. I live in VA now, we don't have to inform. I still intend to inform. I don't inform when engaged in casual conversation with one. With my job I interact with LEO almost daily. But I think all of the local ones I know, know that I carry anyway.

My cousin actually got off from a ticket and he thinks it's because he told the LEO even though he didn't have to.

My exact line as they walk up to the vehicle, with permit and license in hand is, "Officer I have a concealed weapons permit and I am currently armed/unarmed."
 
Like you kind of already said, it all depends on what the state law is. Here in Kansas you are not obligated to tell the officer on a routine traffic stop. Now if for some reason they ask to search you then its smart to simply state that you do have a CCL. Then he/she may ask if you are currently carrying. When I live in Iowa I had a similar incident. The cop pulled me over and as I was pulling my DL out he saw my CCL which was barely even visible and he asked me if I was armed which kinda caught me off guard as I didnnt think he could even see my CCL. I wasnt carrying at the time and he went about business as usual. I think most are pretty casual about it. Just make sure you know the state laws and you'll be fine.
 
Here is the way I've done it:

When asked for license and registration I say, "I need to let you know before I start reaching for things I'm law enforcement and armed, let me know how you want me to proceed."

I don't see why you can't simply change the wording for having a permit for concealed carry.
 
It is on record that you have A CCP in IN. I was ask if I had my gun on me when I was at A stop and I said yes and they ask for my gun till it was over! I was not even involved in the stop. I was a witness of what happen.
 
My exact line as they walk up to the vehicle, with permit and license in hand is, "Officer I have a concealed weapons permit and I am currently armed/unarmed."
Click to expand...

My CCW instructor in NC told us to say that exact thing. We were also supposed to roll the driver's window down halfway, and leave hands on the wheel - this was the signal to officers that we had permits, upon which the officer should ask what he needs to.
 
I am lucky that I live in a state that does not requiring informing the police officer. My feeling is this: I feel no desire to tell a police officer about an object that I am carrying that is perfectly legal for me to possess and carry and that has absolutely no bearing on the reason for the traffic stop. I don't feel the need to tell them about my cell phone, a pocket knife, the tire iron in my trunk, what flavor air freshener I use, or the gun on my belt.

This has proven time and again to be the least stressful for all of us: the police officer, me and my passengers. The firearm has never been a concern raised by anyone involved.

My firearm is in the safest condition when it is safely in it's holster with nobody handling it. All that informing the officer does in my state is offer the officer an invitation to needlessly handle my firearm, placing himself, me and innocent bystanders in more danger from a negligent discharge. I simply refuse to offer that invitation. If the officer is concerned about a firearm, all they have to do is ask. If they are not concerned enough about it to ask a simple question, I am not going to be concerned about it either.

In a state that does require notification - I would do the minimum required by law. Typically that would be producing the permit with the driver's license and calmly inform them verbally whatever is required by law.
 
How do you tell a LEO that you are armed at a traffic stop? Carefully.

(Ba-dum-crash! I'll be here all week).

Seriously, though . . . carefully. If you're going to inform, regardless of whether you're required to, remember that there's a world of difference between:

1) "Sir, I should let you know that I am a CCL holder, and am carrying a concealed pistol. How would you like for me to proceed?"

and

2) "I'VEGOTAGUN!"

I've had a couple of encounters with local police since I started carrying, and always used Example #1, above. Based on the circumstances of my contact, it was not entirely clear whether or not I was required to notify the officers. I chose to do so, and they were entirely nonchalant about it. The conversation went something like this:

Spats: Here's my driver's license & my CHCL, and yes, I am carrying.
Officer Friendly: Ok.

In none of my contacts did the officers ever ask what I was carrying, where I was carrying it, ask me to surrender my gun, etc.

I also think it's a good idea to organize your vehicle documents (proof of insurance, registration, etc) in some place that you can get to them without having to reach into places where an officer cannot see what's in your hands. For example, my car has a mirror on the back of the driver's side visor. As I never use that mirror, I have all of the aforementioned documents in an envelope held in place by the cover to the mirror. If I get pulled over at night, I don't really want to have to reach into the glove compartment after handing an officer my CHCL. I'm not interested in making Officer Friendly nervous.
 
Answer one I don't like. If they do find i'm carrying, They might get REAL miffed!
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Their being "miffed" is of NO CONSEQUENCE WHATEVER.

Obey the LAW where you happen to be.

Ohio law (hopefully soon to be repealed) requires notification. Handing the cop your CHL (or recognized equivalent) is NOT sufficient notification. You must VERBALLY announce.

Where there is no law requiring notification, there is no reason to do so. Whim of the police is NOT a reason.

Answer two I don't like. Well, I think every one can figure that one out. "Hi Officer! I'm Armed!!
Click to expand...
"I have an Ohio CHL and I have my firearm (cite location)."

I obey the LETTER OF THE LAW, nothing more, nothing less. I don't do made up shows of servility euphemistically painted as "courtesies". The police have no right to expect ANYTHING else.
 
In my occupation I drive about our metro area during the wee hours. I have been stopped many times. For me I have discovered the best way to handle is to offer my CHP and say "I am exercising my right to carry". If I were the LEO I would want to know. Always they appreciate it and never have I been cited. It was several years before I discovered that they alrealdy know before the stop that I have a CHP.
 
From everything I've read...they "should" feel more comfortable knowing you are able to legally carry whether you are or aren't carrying shouldn't.

Before they approach your car, if they already have knowledge of your carry license (if you're in a state that requires that), they know they're not pulling over a career criminal right away. Same thing once you inform them and hand them your license and CHL (TX). I am sure in some ways they may go on guard with knowing you are armed, but they KNOW you aren't a career criminal.
 
I think it is a good idea to disclose, even if it's not required. If I'm stopped, I'll produce my DL, registration, retired Navy ID, and CHP. If I'm carrying, I'll tell the officer what it is and where it is. "I'm carrying a [firearm] in/on my [location]." If I'm not, I'll say, "I'm not carrying." The officer will know I have a CHP anyway in my state, and I see no drawback to informing.

But the words you use matter. I avoid saying, "I am exercising my right to carry." That sounds as if the speaker feels the need to remind the officer that he has the right to carry, which you can rest assured he or she does know. It's borderline arrogant.
 
As soon as you stop, turn off your motor, apply your parking brake, and activate your emergency flashers. Remove hat and sunglasses. Roll down you window ALL THE WAY DOWN before the officer reaches your door. Do not open your door.

"Good afternoon officer.

I have a permit for my concealed handgun.
My handgun is secured in my belt-holster on my right side."

Keep your hands stationary, empty, and in plain sight.
Wait for further instructions.

If you and your ride don't look gangsta or defective, and you are not stopped at a late hour, or in an area known for criminal activity, it is highly likely the officer will simply tell you to give him your license and registration. Further discussion of your firearm is likely to be omitted altogether.
 
Va. does not require disclosure, but they know when they run your plate.

I advise, " Hands on steering wheel, and say: Officer for your safety and mine I am armed. my retired badge is in the console. How do you wish to proceed"

My experiences have all been positive.
 
From the other side of the stop,

As an L/E I always appreciated it when a CWP holder advised me that they were armed. On the two occasions this happened I asked the person to slowly and carefully place their weapon on the right front floor board and leave it there until we finished our business. I also tended to be very lenient ;) with folks who were open and honest with me.
 
If you have no duty to disclose, don't disclose.

I disclosed when asked directly and ended up having the weapon temporarily seized and unloaded by the officers. They then went and disarmed my wife whom was a passenger sitting in the car with a baby.

The officers told me if they found out I had been carrying and had answered dishonestly, that it is "the quickest way for things to turn bad" and, implicitly, get shot. If they intend to shoot me, I'd rather be armed.

All in all, I think its best not to disclose unless your state requires it. Police officers are infrequently firearm academics and I have no reason to believe that they can safely disarm and unload my firearm which they are not familiar with. There is also the possibility that they are fake cops.

Unless you enjoy being disarmed and feeling helpless and violated, don't disclose. Avoid being pulled over at all costs.

This is a free country, after all, and officers of the law are public servants, not gatekeepers to our right to ccw.
 
As an L/E...I asked the person to slowly and carefully place their weapon...
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That just strikes me as a very dangerous thing to force someone to engage in under the circumstances. Surely you'd agree that it is 100% safe where it is to begin with, as opposed to having the nervous driver try and un-holster it under your scrutinizing eye, right?
 
If you and your ride don't look gangsta or defective, and you are not stopped at a late hour, or in an area known for criminal activity, it is highly likely the officer will simply tell you to give him your license and registration. Further discussion of your firearm is likely to be omitted altogether.
Click to expand...
...OR, he may prevent you from notifying as required by law (if required), then when you obey his instructions, threaten to murder you in a vulgar tirade.
 
As a retired state police officer I will tell you that the best way to handle a stop is sit tight, keep your hands on the wheel 10 & 2 o'clock and when approached advise you are armed and ask how they want to handle it
 
Unless you enjoy being disarmed and feeling helpless and violated, don't disclose.
Click to expand...

Are you asking us to believe the story you related is typical?

Avoid being pulled over at all costs.
Click to expand...

So, if a police car lights up behind me, and I know I'm speeding, I should make a run for it?
 
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