Traffic stop/you're CCW-legal & cop wants your gun ....

[labgrade]

Tried it several times at TFL & never got an answer that satisfied. Been "a cop" myself & still wondering the tactical reasoning behind what usually follows:

I'm driving. I'm pulled over for a basic traffic stop. I'm required by CCW-issuance to inform LEO I have same & am carrying.

I carry a BHP, strong-side, cocked & locked.

Upon contact (at my driver-side window), before LEO asks (I DO volunteer & hand over, ALL info well-before LEO can even ask), LEO (by then) goes through all the motions.

First & foremost (from most encounters - one was refreshingly non-interested) is the LEO wants The Gun.

The LEO, at the time, doesn't have me at gun-point, I am not "in the position," nor am I under any sort of control. The LEO is at a huge tactical disadvantage = while I draw to "hand-to-cop," if inclined, why not just shoot 'im?

As an aside, I've found that many have no clue whatsoever how to "decock" a BHP - a single action/saftey only semi-auto.

The Question.

The LEO's asking for a very favorable situation for me to present the weapon for him to disarm - always stated as a "safety reason."

#1 - first & foremost in my mind is my own safety (duh - I was already safe before The Stop)

#2 - I could just shoot him/her. I have the tactical advantage. No question.

#3 - likley, the LEO is untrained in the safeting of my firearm & could possibly cause an AD/ND - not a good thing for any involved.

#4 - what reason could you, as an LEO, want to disarm me, a legally CCWing-type want to (bluntly) even want take away my gun?

Sorry, best I can do at the time for a valid question, but basically, if I can hand it to "you," if I was a bad guy, why wouldn't I just shoot you?

 

[MitchSchaft]

I talked to a friend who is a LEO in Oklahoma. He said he takes peoples guns, even though they are legal, only for his safety. He doesn't run the serial number either. That's just him, though. I guess there are all types of reasons.
The funny part is, if the person's intention was to do him harm, they would not have told him about the gun...

 

[labgrade]

Well, MitchSchaft, that's really The Question, no?

If I'm gonna hand it to him, & I was a bad guy, why wouldn't I just shoot him?

And, if I was a good guy, I wouldn't shoot him anyway. & if so, there's no point in it at all - is there?

 

[MitchSchaft]

You are correct, there is no point. I thought that was implied with my statement

 

[labgrade]

Nope. Caught your implication.

Just curious from others not "so inclined" towards reason.

Seriously.

Any takers from the more LEO-point of view?

 

[ezoeni]

I hate it when a cop takes your gun away at a trafic stop. It just makes me feel...............well not good

Not only that why dont they ever ask if you have more than one?

How stupid is that?

 

[Okiecruffler]

I've only had one officer ask for my gun during a traffic stop. I politely told him where I was carrying and offered to place my hands on my hood while he removed it, but I would not hold a weapon in the presence of a law officer. It was a busy street and I was afraid some passer by would misconstrue the situation and run me over. The officer declined and we moved on to better things like discussing why I had no brake lights.

 

[AK103K]

I dont even offer that I have it. I dont think its required here in PA, and even if it was I wouldnt say anything unless they asked. From some of the gun handling I've seen from some of the cops around here, I'm safer with them NOT having it. I had a friend who was stopped for DUI and had a loaded High Power on. The cop took it and then handed it back and asked him to unload it as he didnt know how! Would you hand someone you thought was drunk enough to not allow drive, a cocked and locked handgun? I dont think its any of their business if I have a gun. They have one. Whats the problem. Most cops are control freaks, I think thats the only real issue, because they can.

 

[dave]

Take a Legal CCW Gun From Someone on a Traffic Stop?

I, being an officer, can think of no reason I would disarm someone with a legal CCW during the course of a traffic stop. As someone has already mentioned, if the weapon is in the holster we're both safe. Having it removed, by me or the owner, seems to open a can of worms that didn't have to be opened.

If someone has a valid CCW, I'm not going to be to concerned whether the weapon is stolen or not. I think it would be a rare event for a legal CCW holder to be carrying a stolen weapon. Not impossible, just rare.

We've all read, on another thread, what can happen if a concerned (stupid, but concerned) citizen sees something they don't understand and calls 911. Better for it to not be an issue.


In all honesty, I'm not concerned about the "good" guys that carry guns. Why shouldn't they, all the bad guys already do.

Check to see if CCW is valid, finish our busniess, and we're both on our way. Why make life harder?

 

[JPM70535]

Never asked a violator if he was carrying. I just watched his hands all the time. If I felt hinkey about the situation, I did a pat down othewise just went about the business at hand.

I had a handfull of violators volunteer their carry status. I never asked for their weapon. Always felt as though if they wanted to shoot me they would have done so before telling me.

Had several discussions reference handguns. Always tried to leave the violator with something besides the ticket.

 

[jato]

If I felt the need to disarm a person (which certain situations MAY require), I would do it myself from a position of advantage - probably patdown or gun point depending on situation.

#4 - what reason could you, as an LEO, want to disarm me, a legally CCWing-type want to (bluntly) even want take away my gun?

Because...someone has reported you as a suspect in a crime! Otherwise please keep your gun in your holster and I'll do the same.

 

[iamhistory]

I am with AK103K...............I never volunteer the fact that I am carrying. I have never had an officer ask me if I was carrying. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure if the state requires a permit holder to volunteer that info. That may be irresponsible on my part, but I'll have to look into that. I actually have some family who are LEO, so I'll have to ask them what they do/think about it.

If asked, I would most definitely inform the officer that I was carrying and what/where the weapon was and also present my permit. But until then, if the officer does not consider me threatening enough to be concerned that I have a weapon I might use on him, then I don't get into that situation with him.

It's strange though. I guess I have a look that causes nearly every officer who has ever stopped me (not that many though) to walk up to my vehicle with his hand on or near his sidearm and peering cautiously in the car and at me (seemingly moreso than usual). Then once we talk, they relax a bit. If they feel the need to approach my vehicle prepared enough to get the jump on me, why not ask me about weapons?

 

[El Tejon]

Only if he pays me in cash first! Otherwise, he's going down for Criminal Conversion.

 

[HS/LD]

Colorado does not require that you inform an LEO that you are carrying.

So I would never say anything.

Then the only time he/she is going to know about the gun is if you were being arrested ie; removed from the vehicle and patted down.

HS/LD

 

[PCRCCW]

In UT, you have to disclose you are a CCW permit holder and relay: what and where you are carrying....If you dont tell them and they run your license...It pulls the CCW on the LEO's computer info..they may wonder why you didnt tell them about the gun you are carrying...NOT GOOD!
Ive always told them and never had to draw my gun until the last time.....love it. The officer wanted me to remove my gun, weak handed w/ two fingers....I grinned and said...."It cant happen!" "If I can draw my gun with 2 fingers...Ill quit making holsters" I slowly removed my gun..and he damn near field strips it...lays the whole assembly on the hood of my Dodge....everyone who drove by was looking....GOD! Anyway...he pulled me over for expired tags...had my temp reg. and all was well. He would have probably let me go anyway...I had my CZ PCR Custom with me. Its kinda cool and was an attention getter. He also wanted to see my rig and asked for a business card..."Its a good thing you cant draw your gun with only 2 fingers" ......why did he ask?

Shoot well

 

[2nd Amendment]

Indiana doesn't require that you inform either but I have had a couple cops ask. What made me curious is, what prompted them to ask and why would they care?

 

[El Tejon]

2A, it kicks up on the `puter. Of course, this depends on the system the po-po are using and, of course, the accuracy of state po-po records.

 

[AmericanFreeBird]

I'm assuming that just saying "No officer, you may not have my gun." is out of the question?

 

[David Roberson]

Here in NC we're required to tell an LEO who stops us if we're carrying, and the LEO can take your weapon for the duration of the interaction.

I got stopped late one night driving home from the airport (and wasn't carrying because I'd been on a flight) and when the LEO ran my license he asked if I was carrying a gun -- my CC permit showed up on the computer. I said I wasn't, he told me not to drive so fast late at night, and that was the end of it.

 

[PATH]

If I am stopped here is my procedure.

1) Pull over and put hazards on
2) Roll down drivers side window
3) Interior lights go on
4) Take keys from ignition and put them on dash
5) Put both hands palms up on top of steering wheel
6) Speak to officer in a polite and pleasant tone regardless
of his tone or attitude.
7) Keep license, registration, and insurance card in shirt pocket.
Tell officer where they are and ask for permission to take them
out.
8) Inform officer that I have a CCW and that I have a firearm on
my person. I would describe what and where of carry. CCW is
kept with license, registration, and insurance card.
9) If officer wants to search my car I would politely refuse.

Well there you have it. That is how I would handle a car stop. Some will agree that what I do is a good thing and others will not.
The officer wants to go home alive and so do I. LEO's are the good guys and so I will cooperate up to the point where they ask to search my car.


As for taking my firearm.....the officer will have to take it from my holster. I don't feel comfortable handing it to the officer. I would explain the nuances of the firearm so that he doesn't shoot himself or me!

 

[Topgun]

Nobody has stated the CORRECT answer.

Police are like anyone else. They love humor. I always smile when stopped (like for running red lights or driving wrong way or doing wheelies at intersections) and say, "Hi, officer.....I've got a SECRET."

Now if this doesn't have the cop in stitches, I go to: "Hey wouldja believe I got a GUN?" That is a real knee-slapper. Usually defuses any suspicion and puts cop in good mood.

You can always try a FAST DRAW and surprise the officer. Oh golly, they will usually just fall down (probably to guffaw) They usually get right back up to show you THEIR gun. Then you can discuss guns and go have coffee.

Then there is the STARE. This seldom works unless the officer is a fan of the late Marty Allen (EYE-gor in Young Frankenstein)
It's worth a try if you have multiple traffic stops as the odds will eventually favor you.

The secret is LOTS of hand movement. Sorta like a magic show. It will impress even the most jaded LEO. It is so popular that most cops will love it so much that they will take you back to the station so you can show all their buddies.

..................................................................................
Please, please, please........don't ANYONE tell me I shudda said this was SATIRE.

 

[dairycreek]

Only time I was ever stopped when carrying....

the officer came to the window and the first thing he asked was whether I was carrying or not. (In Oregon the CHL information pops up when the officer runs the driver's or the car's license on their computer system.) I answered, "yes" and then he asked where the gun was and I told him. Then we went directly to the business of why he stopped me (no tail light) and that was that - no ticket - but a written warning. Then he asked what kind of gun I was carrying and I told him a Glock 30. He really got animated then as he was, like me, a gun nut. We talked guns for about 20 minutes and both had a good time doing it. That was that. Only time I've ever been stopped. Good shooting

 

[JamisJockey]

This one time, at band camp....

I lived in AZ, once upon a time. I was carrying in a thumbsnap holster, sort-of. The gun was in the holster and wedged between the passenger seat and my transmission hump (Jeep Cherokee). I was pulled over, and volunteered the information. The cop asked me step out of the vehicle, he left the gun where it was, and wrote me a warning (despite 20+ over ). He thanked me for informing him about the firearm.
Next time I saw him was out shooting with a deputy sheriff friend of mine. They worked on my defensive handgunning skillz

 

[Eamonn Wright]

Hey Topgun,
It's Marty Feldman, not Allen. I'm a P.O., and I ask everyone I stop if they have any weapons in the veh or on their person. If they indicate that they have a gun, I ask them where it is, what it is, and do they have a license for it. If they have a license, I request same, asking them to try to keep their hands visible and away from their weapon. I will then confirm that the license is valid. Once I've determined the license is valid and they're not a badguy/gal I'll usually express my strong belief in the 2nd Amendment, and generally shoot the breeze about shooting, guns, & the horrendous state of Mass gun legislation. Then I'll send them on their way with a warning, because some day they may be my backup when the SHTF.

 

[Topgun]

EAmonn Wright

I stand corrected. It IS Feldman. Gettin old here.