Police traffic stop while carrying

xopher88x · May 23, 2009

If pulled over for a traffic violation or if stopped at a DUI / seat belt check point, are there best practices for notifying the officer that you are carrying? Do you mention it first? If they run your license plate, do they know you are a permit holder? When they ask for your license, do you hand over the permit as well? I'd like to know what to do and what to expect if (when) this happens to me.

novalty · May 23, 2009

I believe notifying the officer is dependent on the state you are in. I know if Maine you do not have to disclose the information to the officer. So for me, if I am carrying and am pulled over I would just supply the information the office requires. If they did ask if I was carrying or ask me to step out of the car for some reason, I would reply that I had a concealed weapon, tell them where my firearm was, and offer to show them my CCW permit. I have read on other forums that some states require disclosure no matter what. So you should really check with your State laws.

JayCeeNC · May 23, 2009

If you have a CC permit the notification requirements of your state should have been part of your training.
Most states have their laws regarding CC posted on the state's department of justice or other state regulatory agency website.

scout · May 23, 2009

In some states, your carry permit information comes up on the computer when the officer runs your driver license, and if required by law in that state, you better have already told him!

If you use the Find feature on this forum, you should be able to locate past threads where member law enforcment officers gave some preferred suggestions for handling this situation.

Lee in Quartzsite · May 24, 2009

For a little excitement you could always open the door, step out and yell "I have a gun".

cmort666 · May 24, 2009

In Ohio you HAVE to notify for ANY "official" interaction with a cop. Just tell him. If you have to shout over him, do it because failure to inform in a "timely" manner is a crime. "Timely" has never been defined. A guy over at Ohioans for Concealed Carry was charged for taking something like a minute or so to inform.

jimmyj · May 24, 2009

Hi:
Being I am in a "Gun Friendly" State I assume
that there is a weapon in every vehicle and watch the drivers hands. Also ask "Do you have firearms, drugs, knifes or anything that can be dangerous to me or buystandners? Please keep your hands in view during this traffic stop.
Jimmy

625 Shooter · May 24, 2009

As others have stated, a lot depends on state law.

In Nevada, you have no duty to inform.

Should you inform? In my opinion, it depends on the situation.

If the stop is "routine," I wouldn't inform.

If the stop "goes south" for any reason, I would politely inform; "Oh by the way, I have a ..."

Bobwtn · May 24, 2009

I have been through the check points in TN a few times and I always have my license in hand as I pull up, show it and just calmly say, "I am legally armed too". The last time I did that, the State Trooper just said, "Well alright!" Of course I am in TN and the mature officers seem to be ok with well behaved people legally carrying. I have never been asked for my permit so far in the 12 yrs I have had one. Now on two occassions, I have been in rental properties I had business with and pulled my pocket gun on a buglar/tresspasser (depending on one's view). The officer pulled his too. Even then, after two times of catching someone, they never asked later if I had a permit. I think my demeanor and how I safely held the pistol showed I was safe to be around. If ever asked, be sure to show your permit and move slowly. Rookies seem to be nervious sorts around TN, probably are in other states too.

The Rabbi · May 24, 2009

Also ask "Do you have firearms, drugs, knifes or anything that can be dangerous to me or buystandners?

And my stock answer to that is: "I really couldn't say."
In my state I am not required to inform. If asked I must produce the permit. That's as far as it goes.
With some LE's I feel like telling them to unload and make safe their weapons for my safety.

crofoot629 · May 24, 2009

If pulled over for a traffic violation or if stopped at a DUI / seat belt check point, are there best practices for notifying the officer that you are carrying? Do you mention it first? If they run your license plate, do they know you are a permit holder? When they ask for your license, do you hand over the permit as well? I'd like to know what to do and what to expect if (when) this happens to me.

It depends on the circumstances. If it's a routine stop and the only firearm(s) I have are concealed I'm not inclined to mention that I'm armed. I simply comply with the officers directions. If the officer asked I would comply with his request and tell him what and where, i.e. pistol concealed on my right hip etc.

If for some reason I had firearms in plain sight I'd mention them right away with the intent of avoiding the officer becoming startled.

I generally prefer to have my wallet with driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance out and on my dash prior to the officer approaching my vehicle. I don't like making the officer work any harder to insure his safety while watching me reach for items out of my glove compartment, or wallet out of my back packet.

Hands in plain view on the steering wheel as the officer approaches my vehicle, and of course no quick movements.

I got pulled over the other night after midnight on my way home from work for allegedly speeding on I-5. The officer approached from the passenger side and I was not aware of his presence until he tapped on my passenger side window, just the way he liked it. I was armed, he didn't ask and I didn't tell. I'm a sworn LEO though not a street cop, I have no idea if he knew I was a police officer or not. I was only 7 mph over and he was fishing for bigger game then me and told me to have a nice night and watch my speed.

I see no reason to inform the officer unless your state requires that you do, or they ask.

Emory

OKFC05 · May 24, 2009

Two rules to remember:
1. You must obey the laws of the state you are in when stopped.
2. In states like OK and TX which require immediate notification, failure to notify is a separate and serious offense.

scoutsdad · May 24, 2009

In Arizona you need only show a permit or say you are carrying if asked.

david

Spotteddog · May 24, 2009

Having the wallet out and on the dash seems a wise idea. While I'm certain the info is digitally connected to my plate registration and D/L, I've got three items paper clipped together in the fold of my wallet. If stopped, I'll pass my CCW permit, insurance card, D/L. Did I mention that once on the shoulder I'll turn on the interior lights, and put the ignition keys on the roof and keep my hands on the wheel?

Hot Toddy · May 24, 2009

Hey folks!
OKFC is correct. And 99 times out of 100 if you hand the officer your DL, insurance, and CCW at the same time they will simply let you go or at worst a warning.
Also if you get pulled over, shut the vehicle off , put your hands on the steering wheel, and turn on the cab light. Again, with theirs and my safety in mind, not only will the officer appreciate it, again they will usually just let you go.
Unfortunately I know this from personal experience. And being decent to them also goes along way.
After being stopped for 20mph over, the Trooper just smiled and commented on how I handeled the situation. I knew I had a ticket comming, but was plesently surprised when he handed back my stuff and told me to slow down.
Hope this helps.
Take care and God Bles...HT

BSkerj · May 25, 2009

I think you will want to watch the wording when you are approached by a LEO, I.E. don't say " I have a gun and a permit to carry". Him or they may just hear you say,"I have a gun" and get nervous real fast. Just hand him your D.L. and Permit and let them act from there.

novalty · May 26, 2009

This posting has given a lot of great suggestions, that I never thought about. As I carry my wallet with licence and carry permit in my front pocket, it has made me rethink about putting the wallet in the open when I am carrying, as I really don't want to be at gunpoint after telling the officer I have a concealed weapon, and then reaching for my wallet. The interior light was something I had never thought about before either. Fortunately, I don't get pulled over very often, but good to be prepared.

devildog66 · May 28, 2009

Read and be intimate with the laws of the state in which you reside and are carrying. PERIOD. This issue gets bandied about like a badminton shuttlecock and it needn't be. Simply abide by the law of the state in which you carry. For example, if in Virginia, one does not need to proactively disclose CCW carry; however, in Ohio it is the law that CCW be disclosed directly. Bottom line is that I would no more disclose CCW, unless required by law, than I would disclose how fast my car would go.

Go forth and remember YOU are not the criminal so don't act like one.

38-44HD45 · May 29, 2009

Originally posted by devildog66:
Read and be intimate with the laws of the state in which you reside and are carrying. PERIOD. This issue gets bandied about like a badminton shuttlecock and it needn't be. Simply abide by the law of the state in which you carry. For example, if in Virginia, one does not need to proactively disclose CCW carry; however, in Ohio it is the law that CCW be disclosed directly. Bottom line is that I would no more disclose CCW, unless required by law, than I would disclose how fast my car would go.

Go forth and remember YOU are not the criminal so don't act like one.

Well put, DD. In Texas, one must display DL, CHL and insurance card when stopped on traffic. If you fail to display the CHL, AND if you are carrying (no duty to display the CHL if you're not carrying), it is a 90 day suspension of the CHL, but it is only an administrative suspension, not a crime, on first offense. Most peace officers won't bust your chops about it. The CHL is tied to the DL, so when the officer either swipes the magnetic strip on the DL or the dispatcher runs your DL, it will show up that you have a CHL. If one does display the CHL, most LEOs will simply ask if you have a firearm and where it is, and it will be the end of the discussion unless you smell like whiskey or get horsey.

A bill was introduced this legislative session in TX to repeal the requirement to display the license, since vehicular carry without a license is legal, and those folks have no duty to inform. Unfortunately, the bill died in committee, along with some other excellent legislation, due to the irresponsibility and outright stupidity of many of our legislators...

USAF385 · May 29, 2009

Originally posted by JayCeeNC:
If you have a CC permit the notification requirements of your state should have been part of your training.
Most states have their laws regarding CC posted on the state's department of justice or other state regulatory agency website.

In many states, the "training" you mentioned is "Here's your permit.. and here is a paper with the rules listed."

Police traffic stop while carrying

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