CCW while driving

Ten_Lights

Ten_Lights

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Very few times I will have my gun on me while driving. When I get in my car I usually put my gun in the glove box or not often I may even keep my gun in a bag or under my seat. I have wondered though opinions of what is the best way to handle being pulled over while your gun is actually on your body? Ex: holstered on your side or an in the waist holster?
Sometimes I've been pulled over when my gun is in the glove box and I haven't felt the need to let the officer know. I provide my license and registration which I keep in a different area so I'm not reaching towards where my gun is and the stop has been okay. If it progressed to where I'm asked to be searched or the car then I would let them know. Just trying not to open up a can of worms if I don't need to.
One time a friend of mine got pulled over, the officer when told that my friend had a ccw legally, took the gun to the back lid of the trunk unloaded it and then placed it back in the glove box. Meanwhile when the stop was done and the officer left, me and my friend were on the floor in the dirt looking for the bullets that rolled onto the ground.
But I always worry about the gun actually being on me during a stop. Thoughts?
 
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Follow your state's law....some have a duty to inform, so don't...Where I live, we must notify, but the penalty for failing to do so has been removed.
 
Ten_Lights said:
Very few times I will have my gun on me while driving. When I get in my car I usually put my gun in the glove box or not often I may even keep my gun in a bag or under my seat.
Click to expand...

Well, my first question is, if you have a valid concealed carry permit for whatever state you live in, why are you making your gun hard to reach in the event you might need it? It isn't going to do you a bit of good if you can't get ahold of it in a hurry.

Ten_Lights said:
But I always worry about the gun actually being on me during a stop. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I don't see anything here to worry about. If you're legally carrying, there should be no problem. Some states do require you to inform the LEO that there's a loaded handgun/weapon in the vehicle, whether you're carrying it on your person or not. Know your firearms laws and regulations.

In the event there is a problem, do what the cop tells you to do and don't argue about it. If you believe you're being treated unfairly, take it to court.
 
I find that having it in a holster on your body or in your pocket while actually driving is not necessarily a good idea. Hard to get to, also uncomfortable. I usually stick mine, holstered, in the crease between the front seats and hide it from sight with a hand towel I always keep in my truck. When I get out, back in the holster/pocket.

FWIW, in Texas you must voluntarily disclose the fact that you have a LTC and a firearm on every traffic stop. Even if you don't have a firearm with you you must inform the officer you have a LTC.

I have been stopped several times over the last 8 years or so and have never had a problem. I followed the rules. Also never got a ticket, even though I probably deserved to once or twice.
 
I would never take my gun off my body. Keep it in a holster and on your body. Way too many scenarios where you can get separated from your firearm if kept off your body.

Get yanked from your car or have to bail out....ooops, gun is in glove compartment or between seats.

FYI: I've been in LE for close to 18 years which means I wore a gun on a duty belt 40+ hours a week while driving a car. I've also carried off-duty, so again that means a gun in a holster. I've never found it uncomfortable.
 
As required by Michigan law, I inform the officer that I have a CPL, when I hand him my driver's license, and CPL. I also advise him that I am carrying, and where it is located, on my person, in the console, etc. I would not agree to let them search me, or my vehicle.
 
I always have it in my holster while driving, so I never have to remember where I left it last.

Simple to solution to being pulled over is don't do anything to get pulled over. I've been driving for over 50 years and the last time I was pulled over was 44 years ago....knock on wood!

A bit off topic, but if you drive with friend that also carry's it's important for you to know if they are legal as well, and especially not a prohibited possessor. This was brought up in my Nevada CCW class and is something that could land you in the slammer real quick.
 
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On your person!

A gun lawfully carried belongs on one's person...not rattling around somewhere in one's ride. Or anywhere else for that matter.

That said, I have zero difficulty carrying (usually IWB) at 3:30 or so. Most often a j-frame...and in a shoulder holster when on a long roadie.

Be safe.
 
My state, KS, is a constitutional carry state. If ever pulled over, which is unlikely as I always obey traffic laws, I would tell the officer I was armed. The reason is I am a retired deputy sheriff, and have been in the officer's place and I would want to know. Regardless if the law required it or not, I would tell the officer.
 
You don't say what state you're in.

In Texas you have to inform the police if you're pulled over that you have an LTC (license to carry) but only if you actually have a gun with you. It doesn't matter where it is. (You should do it, anyway, because the LTC comes up on the computer when they check your DL.) If you don't have an LTC you can legally have a concealed handgun in your vehicle and you don't have to say anything about it.

It's your state laws that matter. If they require a disclosure then disclose it. If they don't then do whatever the rules are.

BUT NEVER NEVER NEVER go scrounging around for your wallet when you're pulled over. Just wait until the officer asks for it. Especially if your gun is in the console or glove compartment. Deliver your identification as required only when asked. Keep your mouth shut about the gun if it's not required to disclose it - it just annoys LEOs when people blurt out "I HAVE A GUN" when there is no necessity for such a statement.
 
the standard response is to keep your hands on the wheel till told ok to move them.

some states require you to inform said officer immediately. so check your states laws on this, and any other states laws you might travel through. also is your permit valid in said "other" states?

i would side on the side of keeping your hands on the wheel, and informing the officer first off. sure can be a bh but could solve many more problems.
just let the officer believe he is in control and he will (maybe) keep his hand off his gun.

if you have been given permission from your state to exercise your birth right and carry a gun, and you are obeying said states laws should be a no problem.


.
 
Like KSDeputy, I too live in Kansas. Despite being a constitutional carry state I would automatically inform the officer right off the bat with hands at 10 and 2. If the rolls were reversed I would want to know.

Knock on wood but I have not been pulled over since I started carrying (going on 3 years) While driving I put my gun (still holstered) in between the center console and the driver's seat in my Jeep with the handle still semi visible and easy to reach quickly should I need to.

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
 
First, it sounds like you get stopped for traffic violations frequently! Are you a slow learner? The traffic laws in your state are available to study and obeying traffic markings and signs should be fairly obvious, the signs and markings are there to be seen/read, do it! They are not suggestions like many seem to think, they are lawful commands, the obedience to which is mandatory, not optional. They are "real" laws and violating them is a criminal act of some degree. In short, stop doing what you are doing to get stopped, it will save you money for insurance too!

As several have said carry your gun on your person. Forget the console, glove box, under the seat, etc. If you don't recall from your concealed (whatever your state calls the permit/license) classes what the requirements for declaring on a confrontation with an officer for any reason then go to the source, your states laws concerning this. Believe it or not you can find this on-line for every state! Start with: (Your state) code for a search. Then, if you get stopped, keep your hands on the steering wheel and keep them there until the officer is at the window. Announce if you are required and follow his instructions and answer his questions clearly and unequivocally. Do not reach for your wallet until told to present your license. do not make any move that could be construed as reaching for a gun, it could get you shot even if you have already declared that you are armed!
 
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Duty to inform varies state state to state. Seek advice from a qualified instructor or an attorney.

If your gun is not comfortable to carry while driving, you need to adjust your carry option. A different position on your hip, a more pronounced cant, a higher-riding holster, or perhaps even a gun with a shorter muzzle. Lots of guys want to brag about how they CCW their duty-size pistol, and lots of holstermakers have done the "tunz of gunz" photoshoot, but let's be serious here. There's a limit to comfort. I can open-carry my 1911--and maybe even conceal it with the right cover garment--but all that goes out the window when I get into a car.

Back in the day, when LEO's carried 6" or 4" medium- to large-frame revolvers, and the occasional 1911 auto, popular duty holsters actually had a swivel built into the drop. This allowed the muzzle end to follow the leg when seated. And this was back when departments had height and weight minimums, and no female officers!

If you expect to do a lot of driving, and are primarily worried about threats when in your car, you might consider carrying cross-draw or even cross-draw from the shoulder, both of which are easier to access when driving. Alternatively, there's also the ankle holster, but that could be tough to access depending on your car and size, or after a vehicular collision, or if you're not particularly spry.

CATI1835 said:
I usually stick mine, holstered, in the crease between the front seats and hide it from sight with a hand towel I always keep in my truck. When I get out, back in the holster/pocket.
Click to expand...

That's...well, that's not a very good idea, for any one of a number of reasons.
 
Ten_Lights said:
. . . When I get in my car I usually put my gun in the glove box or not often I may even keep my gun in a bag or under my seat. . . .
Click to expand...

As an LEO, the "under my seat" comment is the only thing that concerns me in your post. For a number of reasons that's not a great place to keep it, mainly for your own safety.
 
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