Question for active LEO's

cracker57 · Dec 10, 2012

I have been telling people in my concealed carry classes that they should inform officers that they are ccw permit holders if they are carrying when they get pulled over for a traffic stop. WE do not have to inform in Wisconsin, I however think it is a good Idea. I had a LEO in class this weekend that said he would rather people did not inform him and he would rather not know you are carrying. I found this interesting and I did understand his reasoning.
So my question to you LEOs that live in a state where you aren't required to notify would you rather be told up front right away or would you rather not Know?
Thanks in advance.
Cracker57

ispcapt · Dec 10, 2012

This is a common sense thing. Think it thru.
Let's say you don't inform the LEO. During the traffic stop you reach for something, ie, DL, registration, insurance card, whatever, and in the process you firearm becomes exposed and to the LEO it appears you're reaching in the vicinity of the gun. Things could quickly get very exciting for you and the LEO.
However, if you inform you are armed at the very beginning then the LEO knows you are armed and while still cautious at least there are no surprises.
And you don't want any surprises no more than the LEO wants surprises.

gk2410 · Dec 10, 2012

I agree - why tempt a situation? While I live in a state that requires notification, I've had a lot of permit holders tell me that the officers that stopped them were easier on them for it. Think about it - if you have a permit, then he already knows you've been through an extensive background check and aren't a criminal, a drunk, etc. I have a lot of people express positive comments and haven't (personally) heard anything negative. I'd rather know than not know and be surprised.

Steve_in_PA · Dec 10, 2012

PA does not require notification. You will get a 50/50 answer from any LEO's you ask. Some will want to know whenever you are stopped, while some will want to know if you are asked to step outside the vehicle.

I've read enough stories about LEO's freaking out when told by the driver that he is carrying. They turn a "routine" traffic stop into something resembling a felony stop.

Get pulled over for a blown tail light in Philly and politely tell the officer, "Officer, I have a license to carry a firearm and an currently carrying" and see how you get treated. For this reason, many in PA will not notify the officer.

Of course the officer will often ask, "Are there any weapons in the vehicle?" And the most common come back has been, "There is nothing illegal in the vehicle."

To me, it doesn't matter. Just because you tell me that you are carrying isn't going to change how I interact with you. Since PA does not require notification, I really have no idea how many people I have stopped that were armed. In 13 years, I think I had two people tell me they were armed.

Arik · Dec 10, 2012

Im in the suburbs of Philly and i always tell the officer i am armed. Have never had a bad experience. One asked me to just keep my hands on the steering wheel while he ran my info and the other asked me to step out. He then asked where the gun was and where my wallet was. I told him. He asked if he could take my wallet out and i said no problem. He took out my DL and CCW permit, left the wallet and asked me if i could stand outside the car while he ran my info. Came back, gave me back my stuff and said have a nice day.

Each time i was stopped it was for excessive speeding and each time i was let go without any tickets.

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Old cop · Dec 10, 2012

I've been retired 15 years, but thinking it through I'd rather be told the person I stopped was carrying. Like others have said if I discover the weapon by accident things might get ramped up very quickly. This could be very dangerous for everyone and I really don't understand why that officer would not want to know, he or she must not be very experienced on the street.

MaximumLawman · Dec 10, 2012

Doesn't matter to me what you do. I'm going to assume you're armed whether you tell me or not. The requirement in some states to inform is for your benefit.....so you don't get shot when you reach for your wallet and the cop sees your gun and thinks you're going for it and plugs you. You informing has no bearing on whether you get a ticket or not from me, unless you fail to inform and I feel like writing you for that in my shall-inform state.

I've read enough stories about LEO's freaking out when told by the driver that he is carrying. They turn a "routine" traffic stop into something resembling a felony stop.

So it's never happened to you or anyone you know, you've just "read stories". As far as getting coy when an officer asks if there are any weapons and telling him "there's nothing illegal", if you tried that with me, you'd be standing outside your car for the length of the stop, I'd try to come up with a reason to search your car, and you'd leave with as many tickets as I could legally write.

Moonman · Dec 10, 2012

Please use COMMON SENSE,

an officer has a job to do and wants to go
home to his family at the shifts end.

They DO NOT WANT TO BE A CONSTITUTIONAL ATTORNEY
ON THE ROADSIDE.

Please announce, hands on steering wheel, dome light on if at night,
window down , auto ignition off, ASK the officer how he would
like you to proceed after you announce.

DO NOT REACH FOR ANYTHING UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO BY THE OFFICER!

Obey Speed and Traffic laws and you have even less to worry about.

Chris L. · Dec 10, 2012

cracker57 said:
I had a LEO in class this weekend that said he would rather people did not inform him and he would rather not know you are carrying. I found this interesting and I did understand his reasoning.
So my question to you LEOs that live in a state where you aren't required to notify would you rather be told up front right away or would you rather not Know?
Thanks in advance.
Cracker57

That individual in your class sounds like he/she has some kind of a problem with law abiding citizens carrying. Kind of like the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy in the military.

I think any sensible LEO would want to know just to avoid any tragic mistakes, and myself being a law abiding citizen with nothing to hide would have no problem telling them.

However, I might not mention it if the gun in my car was placed somewhere (trunk, under seat, etc.) where it may not pose a problem.

TJ1225 · Dec 10, 2012

Cops don't like surprises and like to feel in control, makes perfect sense to me to advise. That's the way I teach it.

colbad · Dec 11, 2012

Some good advice. I am appreciative to know if anyone I am making contact with has a gun and where it is. I do not care if you have a ccw unless you have the gun within reach. When you are alone on a lonely stretch of highway you err on the side of going home. So what does it hurt by deescalating a situation before it becomes a situation.

JJEH · Dec 11, 2012

Moonman said:
Please announce, hands on steering wheel, dome light on if at night,
window down , auto ignition off, ASK the officer how he would
like you to proceed after you announce.

DO NOT REACH FOR ANYTHING UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO BY THE OFFICER!

I got pulled over once for phoning while driving on a Military post. I did what you said, except I pull down both windows on the left side since they are tinted but I won't turn off ignition (either I need A/C or heater

).

Now, my question; am I supposed to turn it off?

Moonman · Dec 11, 2012

JJEH,

State Laws control what actions you should take in
each individual state.

Announce or Not Required to announce are State Laws.

I just think a common courtesy to the officer, whatever your
state laws is, would be to announce.

A military facility would be a different possible jurisdiction.

kennyb · Dec 11, 2012

MaximumLawman said:
Doesn't matter to me what you do. I'm going to assume you're armed whether you tell me or not. The requirement in some states to inform is for your benefit.....so you don't get shot when you reach for your wallet and the cop sees your gun and thinks you're going for it and plugs you. You informing has no bearing on whether you get a ticket or not from me, unless you fail to inform and I feel like writing you for that in my shall-inform state.

So it's never happened to you or anyone you know, you've just "read stories". As far as getting coy when an officer asks if there are any weapons and telling him "there's nothing illegal", if you tried that with me, you'd be standing outside your car for the length of the stop, I'd try to come up with a reason to search your car, and you'd leave with as many tickets as I could legally write.

max,max,max....calm down some.....you certainly make things difficult on the..lets just say,more experienced officers

Steve_in_PA · Dec 12, 2012

MaximumLawman said:
So it's never happened to you or anyone you know, you've just "read stories". As far as getting coy when an officer asks if there are any weapons and telling him "there's nothing illegal", if you tried that with me, you'd be standing outside your car for the length of the stop, I'd try to come up with a reason to search your car, and you'd leave with as many tickets as I could legally write.

And because of this, you are exactly the kind of LEO that gives others a bad name. Coming up with a reason??? Giving as many tickets as possible??? For what, contempt of cop?? Great example of the law enforcement profession right there! Its no wonder non-LEO's fear getting stopped by LEO's.

What kind of question is asking for weapons anyway? The motorist is under no obligation to answer that question. You might as well ask if they are wearing boxers or briefs.

nipster · Dec 12, 2012

If it's not required by law, you have no duty to do it.

It's one thing if you are getting stopeed and frisked or patted down walking down the street on foot. If you are stopped in your vehicle, there is no reason whatsoever to let the cop know you are armed unless required to by law. It's none of their concern, and unless you are drunk, going 100mph and are going to be asked to step out of your vehicle for some reason, it will (should) never come up. Unless you keep it unholstered in your glove box and have to open it to get your registration. In that case, I would probably let the cop know. But I dont keep mine in my glove box, and it should never come up...

Drail · Dec 12, 2012

My experience (not as an LEO) has been that informing the officer that you are carrying is fine right up until you meet one those guys with a badge who thinks that "civilians" have no reason to carry a firearm. Then you will wish you had kept quiet. They are out there.

Yankee Bill · Dec 12, 2012

I agree with informing the officer (in a calm manner), wheather your state requires disclosure or not. The couple of times I've been stopped, I've informed the officer (while having my vehicle turned off, and hands plainly visible on the steering wheel) by calmly stating " That I was a former LEO, I have a CW permit, and am carrying a concealed, loaded (insert weapon here) on my right hip .... WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO DO NEXT?". Both times they thanked me for informing them, and simply went on about their routine as they normally would with any other traffic stop. BTW, one stop was for speeding (alledgedly

), and the other was involving a vehicle matching the description of mine for a person involved in a domestic incident.

Just remain calm and polite, keep your hands in plain sight on the steering wheel, and follow the Officers directions after you inform him or her. I can't imagine any officer not appreciating you doing so.

YB

gdnagle · Dec 12, 2012

WV is a not required state but when DL check is made it is reported to officer for WV residents. It in not on DL but in data bank so they know you have a permit but don't know if you are carring so I would devulg that info.

44 Mag Fan · Dec 12, 2012

Here in Alabama, almost everyone carries permit or not.As a LEO. I would like the person to tell me that they have a permit and if are carrying.I ask on every stop.It is helpful when you are out in the middle of nowhere and your backup is 20 or 30 mins away.It does not change the mechanics of the stop,just makes you more aware. Just my $.02...

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