Dmaxboy08
Member
What do you do when you get stopped by LE? I know you are supposed to inform them that you have a firearm and have a permit to conceal carry, but how do you go about telling?
What do you do?
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Frank46
US Veteran
Louisiana concealed handgun laws requires you to notify the officer that you have a concealed handgun license/permit and that you are carrying.
Frank
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ogilvyspecial
Member
While I haven't been pulled over in at least 20 yr's, if I am I'll simply tell the Officer(s) what I'm required to tell them while keeping my hands through my steering wheel and the interior light on (if at night), which I will turn on when I shut off my engine after stopping.
One thing I won't do is to use my hands to point at where things are, if/when asked, especially my gun. My hands will stay through my steering wheel until the Officer tells me to do otherwise.
Just go with the flow and be yourself. I've done a lot of ride alongs with a LEO friend and it never ceases to amaze me how people act when they get pulled over. Maybe that's the way they always act, if so, society is more screwed up than I thought.
One thing I won't do is to use my hands to point at where things are, if/when asked, especially my gun. My hands will stay through my steering wheel until the Officer tells me to do otherwise.
Just go with the flow and be yourself. I've done a lot of ride alongs with a LEO friend and it never ceases to amaze me how people act when they get pulled over. Maybe that's the way they always act, if so, society is more screwed up than I thought.
Never start the discourse with, "I got a gun."
Try starting with, "Officer, I have a permit to carry. My gun is in my (location)."
Also keep your hands on the steering wheel and do not make any sudden moves. Nor should one make any attempt to put the gun under the seat, in a console or elsewhere as the stop is being initiated. That movement creates some concern with the officer.
Try starting with, "Officer, I have a permit to carry. My gun is in my (location)."
Also keep your hands on the steering wheel and do not make any sudden moves. Nor should one make any attempt to put the gun under the seat, in a console or elsewhere as the stop is being initiated. That movement creates some concern with the officer.
One other thing to consider is handing your driver's license AND the CCW permit to the officer/deputy together. Many states list their CCW holders in the DMV database for officer safety, so the LEO may already know you are carrying when they approach.
Keeping your hands on the steering wheel and using the interior light are all things that will make the officer more at ease during the stop. My retired LEO ID (which is my CCW in my state) is kept close to my driver's license so both will be given to the officer at the same time.
Be polite and respectful and things should go well.
Keeping your hands on the steering wheel and using the interior light are all things that will make the officer more at ease during the stop. My retired LEO ID (which is my CCW in my state) is kept close to my driver's license so both will be given to the officer at the same time.
Be polite and respectful and things should go well.
Always liked those who notified me whilst I was working and always do, personally.
Interesting occurrence just two weeks ago...was traveling on an unfamiliar stretch of Interstate and noted two Pennsylvania State Troopers on the right side of the roadway. Noted radar, too. Checked speedometer; 74 as set in cruise control...limit was 65.
Was in left lane (yes, I was passing at the time) and saw a Trooper enter the roadway. It seemed apparent he was "interested" in me. Oops! Not prolonging the inevitable, I activated flashers and pulled to the side. He soon joined me. He approached and I advised him I was armed. He said "thank you" and requested my license/registration.
A few minutes later I got a ticket for failure to obey a sign. Could have been worse; no points or MVA reciprocity.
What I found unusual is that he was not all interested in the legality of my CCW. He was altogether professional in all aspects of the transaction 'cept for that. I always verified CCW. Suspect most LEO's do.
Be safe.
Note:
Speed limit dropped to 55 a few hundred yards from where I observed Troopers. Looked for signage on return trip; didn't see it that time, either.
Interesting occurrence just two weeks ago...was traveling on an unfamiliar stretch of Interstate and noted two Pennsylvania State Troopers on the right side of the roadway. Noted radar, too. Checked speedometer; 74 as set in cruise control...limit was 65.
Was in left lane (yes, I was passing at the time) and saw a Trooper enter the roadway. It seemed apparent he was "interested" in me. Oops! Not prolonging the inevitable, I activated flashers and pulled to the side. He soon joined me. He approached and I advised him I was armed. He said "thank you" and requested my license/registration.
A few minutes later I got a ticket for failure to obey a sign. Could have been worse; no points or MVA reciprocity.
What I found unusual is that he was not all interested in the legality of my CCW. He was altogether professional in all aspects of the transaction 'cept for that. I always verified CCW. Suspect most LEO's do.
Be safe.
Note:
Speed limit dropped to 55 a few hundred yards from where I observed Troopers. Looked for signage on return trip; didn't see it that time, either.
bitstream
Member
First off, I heavily recommend you check the laws in your area and ensure you know the requirements. Two good resources are:
Handgunlaw.us
USA Carry - Your #1 Concealed Carry Resource and Community
ChattanoogaPhil
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In Tenn there is no duty to inform. Though, our DL# and HCP# are the same number so I figure as long as I'm handing over my DL I might as well hand over my HCP at the same time. Only been pulled over once. I handed both DL and HCP over to the officer. I never said whether or not I had a gun (I did), and the officer never mentioned anything about a gun... so that was that. I didn't put my hands in any particular positions or act any differently than if I wasn't permitted or didn't have a gun. However, my killer attack Puggle was riding shotgun. 
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PeterCartwright
Member
I live in a state where there is a duty to inform (Michigan). Even when there isn't such a duty, I choose to inform law enforcement as a matter of professional courtesy (and my safety). I didn't start carrying to complicate the lives of working cops. YMMV
PC
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thndrchiken
Member
It's my habit to have both my license and permit ready to hand the officer. I do the majority of my carrying in PA, there is no duty to inform but what is it going to hurt. I know that if I were on the other side of the equation, I'd like that courtesy.
Springfeildkid585
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Massad Ayoob has an excellent youtube video where he gives a very detailed description on how to handle that situation.
kraigwy
US Veteran
I use to but I don't any more. I carry under the LEOSA. I'm sure I missed out of two tickets I deserved because the officer cut me a break because I'm a retired police officer.
Some states require it, some don't, check your state laws.
Some states require it, some don't, check your state laws.
BigMike76
Member
I don't offer anything up unless they ask if I have a weapon in the truck. In PA you're not required to give that information unless asked.
StatesRightist
Member
While I haven't been pulled over in at least 20 yr's, if I am I'll simply tell the Officer(s) what I'm required to tell them while keeping my hands through my steering wheel and the interior light on (if at night), which I will turn on when I shut off my engine after stopping.
One thing I won't do is to use my hands to point at where things are, if/when asked, especially my gun. My hands will stay through my steering wheel until the Officer tells me to do otherwise.
Just go with the flow and be yourself. I've done a lot of ride alongs with a LEO friend and it never ceases to amaze me how people act when they get pulled over. Maybe that's the way they always act, if so, society is more screwed up than I thought.
Good advice.
sipowicz
Member
I usually start with "pssssssst."
I'm only informing if ordered out of the car.
Stu Honea
Member
OP
Dmaxboy08
Member
I think this thread kinda went in the wrong direction. i know the law and the requirements. What i meant by this is, how do you personally go about telling the officer....Do you yell out the window "HEY I GOT A GUN.....OH AND A PERMIT" lol
bitstream
Member
Sorry, what I was trying to get across is to first check your state (and any state you might travel through before you depart on a trip) for their particular laws about notification.
That said, I agree that the best idea is to hand them your permit with your DL, be polite, don't make any sudden moves, respond to their requests accurately, and do what they say. If your state says to notify, then add to that a verbal notice when they approach "Officer, here is my Driver's license and Weapons Permit, my weapon is loaded and located xxxx, how would you like to proceed?" (while keeping your hands visible at all times).
