Took my CCW Class today and mixed feelings.

[J-NM]

SIG245 says

I believe I would disclose my status to an officer if stopped, with my hands on the wheel, in plain sight.[/qoute]

And if LEO ask to see your CCW and "do not move your hands from the wheel" just how would you reply to LEO?

Would LEO not think you could be a problem since you put your hands on the wheel before being asked or told to do so?

Has anyone ever had a problem with LEO once you stated you have a CCW?

 

[fatelk]

The instructor of the class when I got my liscense (many years ago) told us it was better to not say anything unless asked during a traffic stop, but a LEO friend later told me that it was fine to just hand the officer your liscense with your driver's liscense and insurance info.

I've been stopped twice since then and each time didn't even think to mention it, but then again I almost never carry. Both times the officers were very professional, even polite, no tickets.

The general consensus here seems to be that LEOs appreciate CHL holders to let them know right away. Any officers here care to weigh in?

I have the CHL because I take a gun in the car whenever we go out of town. I never carry one on my person, just don't like it. Personal decision; absolutely nothing against those who do.

As far as the good shoot/bad shoot question; I have never worried about that myself. I know I could never personally use lethal force unless the life of myself or a family member was clearly and immediately in danger. The thought of taking a life is very unpleasant to me. I could do what I had to to protect myself and my family but only if there was absolutely no other option.

 

[The Unknown User]

1. In the class the subject of Personal liability insurance was brought up saying make sure your PLU coverage does not specifically exempt self-defense situations. Does obtaining insurance against civil liability hurt you in court? I could picture somebody getting convicted because having that insurance would go towards intent in an odd way.

The idea of killing someone isn't a good subject. It's dependent on a lot of factors. Where does the shooting take place? Were you honestly in direct danger of being killed?

2. The instructor made a comment that he believes that you should inform an LEO of your CCW holder status at all traffic stops including when your NOT carrying. His argument was that this way they know your not hiding anything.

I don't care what the law says or doesn't say. If I get pulled over or have to deal with an LEO for anything other than a simple hello in passing, I will be telling them I carry and that I am licensed. LEO's are there to protect and serve, and as I could potentially present a threat I want them to know I am not one.

3. The instructor said it was a really bad idea to use your CCW as photo ID ANYWHERE. Does anybody else share this feeling?

I agree with that. It doesn't matter if it's legal to own/carry/etc. Don't make more work for yourself. You don't need to identify yourself as a gun owner for no reason.

4. The point was made that smaller firearms are harder to handle so there for your first carry gun should be a larger framed one until you gain the skills and ability to carry something smaller and thus harder to handle. I guess my counter argument would be that, larger guns are less convenient thus less likely to actually GET carried.

One hand I want to say you should practice with what you'll be carrying, but on the other hand I think it might be better to start out on something user-friendly, such as a .22 or something that won't be difficult for a new user to use.

 

[skidooman]

on the subject of using your ccw as ID, I was in casino waiting in line to get money from the ATM, and was approached by a security guard, I look young for my age and he wanted to see some ID, after presenting my DL he told me that he thought it was fake and asked if I had another form, I said sure, presented my ccw, he looked at it for about a half a second, and said "have a nice day sir."