How do you tell cops you're armed in traffic stop?

[archigos]

I don't. Its none of their business, and the whole superiority thing is tiring.
My only wonder is how I'll handle it when I'm asked "Do you have any weapons in the vehicle?" This is something I've been asked multiple times before CCWing (I've never been stopped while carrying).

 

[Jonah71]

Kinda depends on where I'm at. Locally.....I wouldn't bother. They already know. I've changed my opinion on this the past few months. Now I'm not so sure I'd volunteer anything. But I'd certainly be respectful and have my CCW permit/ID card handy.

 

[TravisB]

At a routine traffic stop in which I am not asked to exit the vehicle, I think I would always prefer not to tell the officer I am armed (if it is legal to withhold the information). I can think of no benefits to making the announcement. The main likely result would be making the officer nervous. Er...why is this guy telling me this?

Of course, here in Montana "I have a gun" is kind of stating the obvious. If you said "I don't have a gun" the deputy would probably hold an impromptu charity event to get one for you.

 

[xcgates]

Lemmy, I've been asked that simply because of my haircut, and style of dress. And while now I'd answer yes, before a couple years ago, I'd laugh and answer no. So, do you look like you might be active military?

 

[ForumSurfer]

Lemmy, I've been asked that simply because of my haircut, and style of dress. And while now I'd answer yes, before a couple years ago, I'd laugh and answer no. So, do you look like you might be active military?

Last time I OC'ed after work (wearing khakis and a polo), a lady approached me at the gas pumps and said "Um, excuse me officer...I was needing directions..." No mustache or mirrored glasses, either!

I went on military post Sunday as a non military person. Just for good measure (as I was unsure of whether I should notify or not) I handed the guard my ID and CHP. Dumb move. I got pulled aside from other visitors and my girlfriend's vehicle was searched more thoroughly than others. They also asked too many unnecessary questions. :banghead:

Edit:: So I can't seem to find any info. Are you required to tell the guards when entering a military installation that you have a CHP? I'm dutifully required to notify law enforcement here, but that is completely different.

 

[xcgates]

Yeah, I've gotten that too, when I borrowed my dad's winter car (former crown vic police car) this past summer (when both my car and bike were down for the count at once:banghead and ran across two accidents in one week. Though thinking about it, I only seem to run across people having a bad day when I'm home, and am borrowing one of my parents' cars, I really don't get it.

It took me a couple seconds to figure out why both parties were asking me all these questions. But short-cropped hair, clean shaven, black 5.11 pants, and a generic grey t-shirt, I don't scream the normal, irresponsible college student. Which I suppose is a good thing...

 

[loneviking]

The answer depends on where you live and what state law requires. Here in Nevada, when your DL is run the info that you have a CCW comes up. The locals are so used to folks with CCW that they usually don't ask for the permit or if you have weapons as that is assumed.

What had me worried was being stopped 'just over the line' by the Cal. Highway Patrol but the one who stopped me never asked about weapons or the permit.

I would highly suggest that if stopped, make sure you turn your cars engine off and your domelight on! The cop then knows you can't easily drive off and they can see the interior of the vehicle which makes them feel safer.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Unless there is a requirement to inform in your state, don't volunteer any information. All you need to show the officer are your papers - um, sorry, I meant driver's license, registration and (if requested or required) proof of insurance.

 

[CoRoMo]

I never remember to tell them. Good thing too, it's not required that I inform them here or in any of the states that I regularly travel through. It's like trying to remember to tell the officer that I have shoes on; I'm usually trying to get out of a ticket and I'm not concerned with the items I'm legally wearing.

 

[clamman]

In North Carolina its required by law to declare that you are a permit holder whether youre carrying at the time or not.
That being said, most people I encounter, whether at a drivers lisence check-point or during a traffic stop,that are carriers hand the permit to me with thier DL.
North Carolina requires it for OFFICER SAFETY, just out yourself in my or anyother police officers shoes, wouldnt you like to be informed if the person your approaching is a concelaed carry permit holder?

Hope I didnt sound too preachy, this being my FIRST post and all.

I didn't realize you had to declare even if you were unarmed. Learn something every day they say! Welcome to the board. I'm just down the road from you in Beaufort.

 

[Sniper X]

Unless it has changed here in New Mexico we have a state of non disclosure so we can just supply what he asks for and wait to see if he asks about CCW. And personally, I prefer not letting them know because 99% of officers I see here mishandle a 1911 so it scares me to hand it over if they don't ask...

 

[brboyer]

In North Carolina its required by law to declare that you are a permit holder whether youre carrying at the time or not.
That being said, most people I encounter, whether at a drivers lisence check-point or during a traffic stop,that are carriers hand the permit to me with thier DL.
North Carolina requires it for OFFICER SAFETY, just out yourself in my or anyother police officers shoes, wouldnt you like to be informed if the person your approaching is a concelaed carry permit holder?

Hope I didnt sound too preachy, this being my FIRST post and all.

Not preachy at all, just wrong.

14-415-11
a) Any person who has a concealed handgun permit may carry a concealed handgun unless otherwise specifically prohibited by law. The person shall carry the permit together with valid identification whenever the person is carrying a concealed handgun, shall disclose to any law enforcement officer that the person holds a valid permit and is carrying a concealed handgun when approached or addressed by the officer, and shall display both the permit and the proper identification upon the request of a law enforcement officer. . .

 

[1911Tuner]

I let him know before he approaches after laying the gun on the seat beside me if I'm alone...on the dash if I'm not...by rolling down the window and hanging both hands out where he can see them. Then, after we've made verbal contact, he can instruct me how to proceed.

Back in the day many moons ago when I took the required classes in anticipation of some reserve duty with the Sheriff's department...the instructor told us...the class: "In any traffic stop, there's always a gun involved. Yours."

 

[Sam1911]

I let him know before he approaches after laying the gun on the seat beside me if I'm alone...on the dash if I'm not.

You'd handle the gun?

 

[1911Tuner]

Yep. When I'm in the car and moving, the gun isn't in a holster. It's pinned under my leg or in the seat anyway.

 

[Sam1911]

Ooooh. Yes. That makes sense.

 

[alsaqr]

I've been stopped a few times while packing. My drivers license and my CCW card are in the same compartment of my wallet and I hand both to the officer; makes it easy.

 

[1911Tuner]

Try not to worry about it too much, Sam. It'll be a'ight.

 

[divemedic]

I don't inform any more unless they directly ask if I have any weapons. I used to tell cops that I carry. A Sergeant with the Orange County Sheriff's office changed all of that, back in 2000. I was sitting at a stop light for a pretty long period of time, and after about 10 minutes assumed it must be broken. There was no traffic, so I went.

The deputy came up behind me and pulled me over. I still do not know where he came from, I never saw him until he was on my bumper. He asked me to step out of the car, so I did. I handed him my DL, registration, CCW permit, and Insurance. When he saw the CCW, he asked if I had a weapon. I told him yes.

He stepped back, put his hand on his pistol, and told me, "Make one move and I will kill you where you stand." Then he said, "Go ahead, try me. I bet I am faster."

I asked him what his problem was, and he began cursing me out, calling me names, and was a real jerk. Bragging about his 20 years on the force, etc.

I do not tell anymore, and yes I do have things to hide. I don't want people to know what my medical history is, nor do I want people to know details of the sex life between my wife and me, nor do I want anyone to have access to my financial information, like credit card numbers, etc. It is personal and private. No searches for you, unless you have a warrant or are arresting me. Just because I have something to hide does not mean that the "something" that I am hiding is illegal.

 

[Sam1911]

Try not to worry about it too much, Sam. It'll be a'ight.

Yes. I meant that it makes sense. If the gun isn't secured firmly and you might have to shift around during the stop, it could appear unexpectedly or even fall on the floor, pointing up at you and the officer. I can certainly understand moving it to a visible, stable location.

Of course, you'd want to do this in a matter that doesn't alarm anyone, but if you're not horribly indiscreet about it that should work fine.

If I have any qualms at all, it would be that perhaps lifting your hands above the vision block of the seats to place the gun on the dash might look a little ... odd ... if the officer is following closely enough to discern a gun in your hand.

But I can't imagine you'd put yourself in that position.

 

[1911Tuner]

Well...I try not to shift around too much in a moving car. Once I get it stopped and place the gun where I want it...I immediately hang both hands out the window where he can see'em...and then confirm what he already knows by telling him that the gun is there, and where it is. Most of'em have thanked me for it, and only a couple have asked me to exit the car.

 

[jon_in_wv]

If its just a traffic stop I don't tell him. I'm not a threat and the weapon is no issue unless I was to exit the vehicle. If he asks me to get out I'll kindly let him know. I've only had an issue one time when I was on a long trip and I had my M&P in the glove compartment. When I was talking to the officer I realized my registration and insurance were also in the glove compartment. I kindly notified the officer that I had a weapon in my glove compartment and I'm sure he would rather I didn't go fishing around for my papers there. He asked if I had a permit and I showed him my LEO ID. He was unaware that people in my field were allowed to carry under LEOSA. I thought that might be an issue one day so I carry a tiny copy of the law, a memo from the Attorney General, and a memo from the Director of my agency stating we are authorized to carry a concealed weapon under the law. He was cool and sent me on my way with a warning. On other traffic stops I just didn't make it an issue, and it wasn't. When I was an MP in the Marine Corps I was always trained to treat all traffic stops like the person may be armed. I don't feel obligated to tell the officer what he should already assume. Of course some state CCWs mandate you inform the officer but that is another issue in itself.

 

[JohnKSa]

Yep. When I'm in the car and moving, the gun isn't in a holster. It's pinned under my leg or in the seat anyway.

I'm sure you've heard this before, but if you are involved in any sort of accident the gun won't be where you expect it to be afterwards.

A couple of the participants in the Miami shootout unholstered their guns in preparation for the shootout and then the guns were lost somewhere in the floorboards during the confusion and bumping of the actual car stop. One had to resort to his backup gun and it seems like the other one was effectively unarmed for at least part of the incident.

 

[1911Tuner]

Yeah...I know John...but my day of hittin' the ground and chargin' the gates of hell are over, I fear. Whenever I see a gunfight in progress, I usually try to unass the AO instead of rushin' headlong into it.

 

[Deanimator]

You'd handle the gun?

That would be a felony in Ohio. It's also not permitted to have a loaded gun unsecured in the passenger compartment. The handgun must be:

in a holster on your body (including a pocket holster)
in a closed (doesn't need to be locked) glove box or center console
in a closed (with some kind of "closing device" such as a zipper) container in plain sight
in a locked container not in plain sight

And that's if you HAVE a CHL. No CHL (or recognized equivalent) and NO loaded guns, magazines or speedloaders ANYWHERE in the vehicle.