Anyone know what States you need to inform the police that you're carrying during a traffic stop or otherwise?
NY is not one of them.
NY is not one of them.
Last edited:
Duty to inform?
- Thread starter ladder13
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
photoman
Member
In Texas is it legally required but there is no "punishment" if you do not.
Here in Ohio it is required...
Lawriter - ORC - 2923.126 Duties of licensed individual.
Duties of licensed individual
If a licensee is the driver or an occupant of a motor vehicle that is stopped as the result of a traffic stop or a stop for another law enforcement purpose and if the licensee is transporting or has a loaded handgun in the motor vehicle at that time, the licensee shall promptly inform any law enforcement officer who approaches the vehicle while stopped that the licensee has been issued a license or temporary emergency license to carry a concealed handgun and that the licensee currently possesses or has a loaded handgun.
Lawriter - ORC - 2923.126 Duties of licensed individual.
Duties of licensed individual
If a licensee is the driver or an occupant of a motor vehicle that is stopped as the result of a traffic stop or a stop for another law enforcement purpose and if the licensee is transporting or has a loaded handgun in the motor vehicle at that time, the licensee shall promptly inform any law enforcement officer who approaches the vehicle while stopped that the licensee has been issued a license or temporary emergency license to carry a concealed handgun and that the licensee currently possesses or has a loaded handgun.
OP
In OK, failure to notify is a misdemeanor, which can be anything from a ticket to confiscating the gun and a court date, depending on circumstances.
Some states, like Kansas, require you to produce a license if the officer asks. Since they always ask if you have any weapons, I just show the license up front if contacted.
Some states, like Kansas, require you to produce a license if the officer asks. Since they always ask if you have any weapons, I just show the license up front if contacted.
Gary Slider
Member
photoman
Member
No fine. I suppose they could arrest you but they know it's not going to go anywhere and would get them in hot water if they did.
The Free State of Georgia does not require notification.
sipowicz
Member
I'm glad I live in California since I'm the quiet type.
Murdock
Member
A recent CCW class I attended had a portion taught by a ME state trooper. We were told there is no obligation to inform a LEO that you are carrying.
The officer said, however, that it was prudent to do so. This is because it raises the officer's comfort level when one does so. He also said:
1. DO NOT immediately start reaching the the glove box, your purse or for your wallet. Plenty of time for that after the cop gets to the car.
2. Keep your hands in sight.
3. If at night, turn on the dome light in the car before the officer approaches, so that he/she can see what's in the car.
4. And last, "Officer I have a concealed firearm permit and have a pistol behind my right hip," or in the glove box, one's purse, etc.
The name of the game is survival, for the cop and for you.
The officer said, however, that it was prudent to do so. This is because it raises the officer's comfort level when one does so. He also said:
1. DO NOT immediately start reaching the the glove box, your purse or for your wallet. Plenty of time for that after the cop gets to the car.
2. Keep your hands in sight.
3. If at night, turn on the dome light in the car before the officer approaches, so that he/she can see what's in the car.
4. And last, "Officer I have a concealed firearm permit and have a pistol behind my right hip," or in the glove box, one's purse, etc.
The name of the game is survival, for the cop and for you.
Last edited:
mkk41
US Veteran
While it may not be required , I'm sure it would be greatly appreciated by the officer. Might even mean the difference between a warning , and a ticket.
I've often noticed the next question after "license , registration and proof of insurance , please?" is "are you carrying and drugs or guns?"
I always hand over my LTCF along with my D/L reg & ins cards when I'm carrying and inform the officer that I'm carrying legal.
Most cops seem to be put at ease by yer honesty.
Others seem to go into tactical mode.
I've often noticed the next question after "license , registration and proof of insurance , please?" is "are you carrying and drugs or guns?"
I always hand over my LTCF along with my D/L reg & ins cards when I'm carrying and inform the officer that I'm carrying legal.
Most cops seem to be put at ease by yer honesty.
Others seem to go into tactical mode.
I don't see any reason to gamble. If the cop doesn't ask he doesn't care. He's just writing you a ticket and you can go on your way.
cshoff
Member
There is no duty to inform here in Missouri. The following is the general recommendation I give my students for handling a traffic stop. Notice that I neither advocate that they arbitrarily inform, or that they arbitrarily do not inform. Only they can make that decision as they deem appropriate at that moment:
If or when you are stopped, you should pull over as far as you can to the side of the road, turn your radio off, turn the vehicle off, place both hands on the steering wheel where the officer can see them, and await instructions from the officer. If it is dark outside, turn your dome light on so the officer can see into the vehicle as he or she approaches. The time to be fidgeting around looking for your license or insurance card is NOT while you are waiting for the officer to approach your vehicle. Once the officer makes contact with you, he or she will then let you know how they want you to proceed. Remember to avoid making statements that could seem potentially threatening like "I HAVE A GUN", or making a move to reach for a wallet or other papers that happens to be near where you are carrying your firearm. Remember to be courteous and polite. Like you, the police officer just wants to go home safe at the end of the day.
If or when you are stopped, you should pull over as far as you can to the side of the road, turn your radio off, turn the vehicle off, place both hands on the steering wheel where the officer can see them, and await instructions from the officer. If it is dark outside, turn your dome light on so the officer can see into the vehicle as he or she approaches. The time to be fidgeting around looking for your license or insurance card is NOT while you are waiting for the officer to approach your vehicle. Once the officer makes contact with you, he or she will then let you know how they want you to proceed. Remember to avoid making statements that could seem potentially threatening like "I HAVE A GUN", or making a move to reach for a wallet or other papers that happens to be near where you are carrying your firearm. Remember to be courteous and polite. Like you, the police officer just wants to go home safe at the end of the day.
ChattanoogaPhil
Member
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2009
- Messages
- 14,601
- Reaction score
- 20,622
Tennessee = No Required Notification
Correct, but I travel to other states so I got in the habit; if I am stopped I show the officer my carry permit along with my DL. If it is dark I do like cschoff and turn on the dome light and put both hands on the steering wheel. I don't have anything to hide and I don't want to make the officer nervous. If nothing else maybe it prevents me from being bright lighted with one of those gazillion candlepower lights.
I also don't get rude with the officer even if I think he is wrong. Speaking as a former officer I know there is no telling what he may of just dealt with. If i can can show common courtesy maybe it will ease things for both of us.
ChattanoogaPhil
Member
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2009
- Messages
- 14,601
- Reaction score
- 20,622
I figure the loose rounds and empty brass rolling out onto the ground when I open the door of my pickup is notification enough.
I don't do the 10/2 steering wheel thing, but I hand over both my DL and HCP at the same time. I've only been pulled over once in Tennessee and the cop never mentioned a thing about it.
Absolutely, I think being polite is key to a less than eventful stop. If the cop is being polite, be polite in return. If the cop is being a jerk, be polite in return. In all other circumstances, be polite.
My policy is to comply with all orders and deny requests--
May I search you car? = No sir, you do not have my permission.
Get out of the car now I am going to search this vehicle = Yes sir.
Last edited:
OP
Youse guys must look shady 
, I haven't been stopped in over 20 years. ................................................................... Then again, I never leave my block
, I haven't been stopped in over 20 years. ................................................................... Then again, I never leave my block 
kraigwy
US Veteran
What about carrying per LEOSA, I feel like a jerk producing my retired ID. In years past I carrried a pistol in the glove compartment, when asked or the registration I then informed the officer that I have a gun in the glove compartment with the registration. Twice this has happened, twice they asked for a permit and I produced my retired Id card. Twice I didn't get a ticket I deserved. That isnt right, I don't mind telling the officer I have a gun, but I don't want any special treatment.
OIF2
Member
Why do you feel like a jerk? I always wanted to know who I was talking to after stopping someone when I worked patrol. My Dept also REQUIRES Officers to ID themselves to another agency when stopped. Common sense. If the copper respects your retired status enough to cut you a break, enjoy it. You've earned it; that how most coppers I know feel about retired guys. You COULD have demanded a supervisor and a cite if it bothered you that much.
Bob
Lee in Quartzsite
Member
In Arizona we are not required to inform an Officer when stopped for a traffic violation unless he asks.
My wife was stopped a few months ago for a minor infraction and as a courtesy to the Officer she volunteered the information that she had a CCW and was carrying. He went from being a semi-nice guy to accusing her of putting him in danger by carrying a gun. He retrieved her M&P from her purse, cleared the chamber and emptied the magazine and took everything to his car where he ran her information and the serial number on her gun. When he returned the cartridges were in a small plastic bag. He had her open the trunk and placed everything in the trunk and told her not to open it until she got home. From now on we both will abide by Arizona law and not volunteer any information about carrying a gun unless specifically asked by the Officer. He treated her like very badly and her attitude towards Police Officers took a serious downturn.
My wife was stopped a few months ago for a minor infraction and as a courtesy to the Officer she volunteered the information that she had a CCW and was carrying. He went from being a semi-nice guy to accusing her of putting him in danger by carrying a gun. He retrieved her M&P from her purse, cleared the chamber and emptied the magazine and took everything to his car where he ran her information and the serial number on her gun. When he returned the cartridges were in a small plastic bag. He had her open the trunk and placed everything in the trunk and told her not to open it until she got home. From now on we both will abide by Arizona law and not volunteer any information about carrying a gun unless specifically asked by the Officer. He treated her like very badly and her attitude towards Police Officers took a serious downturn.
Not cool at all.
Noah Vaile
Member
Add North Carolina to the list of states that DO require notification.
If you are an armed criminal, however, you are NOT required to notify.
If you are an armed criminal, however, you are NOT required to notify.
This is a common outcome of informing. A friend of mine has a similar story. I don't know why people continue to recommend the practice where it isn't required by bad law. But people also don't think you should be quiet when a officer starts questioning you about a crime you may or may not have committed. People just like to give bad advice.
cshoff
Member
I have a friend who had his 1911 seized on the side of the road after he voluntarily informed. The LEO, who had obviously never handled a cocked and locked 1911 before, muzzled himself, my friend, and numerous passing motorists as he fumbled around trying to figure out how to "make the gun safe". Finally, after my friend more or less got rude with him for handling the gun so unsafe, the officer allowed my friend to walk him through the unloading procedure, step by step.
I'm not sure how ANYONE could think that a loaded gun is somehow more safe being handled on the side of the road, than it is left in it's holster.
ChattanoogaPhil
Member
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2009
- Messages
- 14,601
- Reaction score
- 20,622
I think that's a valid point. There was a vid in the Lounge of a LEO in Oceanside trying to figure out how to check a pistol to see if it is loaded while the muzzle is pointing at passing auto traffic.
Gary Slider
Member
Murdock, You say the map is wrong and then you say in ME you don't have to inform but a state trooper said you should. Would you please point out what on my map is wrong. Thank you and Stay Safe,
jtpur
Member
I don't know each state's requirements. I could find out by going to the State website and reading their law., or I could be safe, hand the Officer my D.L. and my CHL at the same time, and tell him I was armed. That would eliminate any breaking of any law. As a retired cop, I always appreciated citizens who told me they were armed. That told me that they posed no threat to me, in 99.9% of the times they told me. I dont mind telling any cop I come into contact with when the contact is official. If we just are chatting and saying"hello, nice day, its hot today," I do not tell them I am armed. its not an official contact.
OIF2
Member
Similar threads
- Locked
- Locked
