What do you do during a routine interaction with LEO while carrying?

I was stopped at night for a headlight that was out. I rolled down both driver side windows and turn on the interior light( good idea even when not armed). The officer could see into my truck that way and was less apprehensive when approaching. My drivers license and gund permit are in a removable section of my wallet. I had it to him gun permit first. He now knows he has a law abiding gun carrying citizen stopped. I then let him know where the firearm is located on my person. i also keep my right hand on the steering wheel at all times to make sure there's no "mistake". This works every time for me and the officer and I both go home safely.
 
On the back of a Louisiana CCW permit:

WARNING: Whenerver you are detained by a police officer, you will immediately inform the officer that you are carrying a concealed handgun. Failure to do so may cause this permit to be revoked.

Other places in the law state "...approached in an official capacity by a police officer..."

If a LEO runs a check on your DL, they will be notified of the CCW.
 
Pretty simple, I keep reg/ins on trim above my head & have license in
hand before hand as to NOT make any sudden moves. I'm from FL & my brothers a veteran LEO 27years & into the drop. His advise to me was No ask No tell simple ; ) PS Aint been stopped in years ; )
Y/D
 
When attending my CCW class in Florida I asked the instructor (State Trooper) what he would do if I told him I had a CCW permit and a gun during a traffic stop. He told me he would confiscate the gun (for his own safety) during the stop and would return if to me at the end with the bullets removed from the magazine. That put me in the frame of mind that I would never tell unless required to.

I informed him of my thoughts and also told him that his attitude seemed counter productive to having a safe situation. He really didn't seem to care.
 
I have yet to have a police encounter since I've had my GWL, and honestly I hope to never have one. At first, I was of the mindset of being open and honest upfront. But, after reading a few posts on GeorgiaPacking.org, and SheriffOconee probably knows the one's I'm referencing, I've decided it's probably in my best interest not to say anything unless it gets to a point where it would be in the best interest of my well-being.
 
I have lurked for a couple of days and this is my first post.

I do not have a CC permit, but probably will get one in the next few months.

I live in NC, an open carry state. I travel quite a bit in VA and that is the reason I am posting.

I have not seen the warning from anyone else, so:

In VA it matters not how minor the reason you are stopped. Any encounter with a state trooper will end up with the trooper running your serial numbers through the stolen firearms registry. This means a little extra time sitting on the side of the road.

It also means that if you bought your gun from a private individual and you are going to carry it, you had better know the history of the gun.

My method has always worked however I don't know that it will in the future, so take the advise with caution. I do drive a lot and so the roll of the dice means I get stopped a lot in routine traffic stops.

When approaching a traffic stop or getting stopped for having a radar detector (illegal in VA) or some other minor infraction, I place my pistol on top of the dash, well in the center of the windshield where it is easily seen, almost out of my reach and definitely not concealed.

I also immediately make it known that the pistol is where he can see it.

I believe that even with a CC permit this would be a good way to handle it.

You don't have to lock the brakes and slide to a stop. If you put your flashers on and slow down and look for a safe place to stop, you have time while doing so to place the pistol on the dash and get your wallet out of your pocket so that when you do come to a stop, you are not digging around in the vehicle in a manner that creates concern.

I realize everyone posting here knows more than I know regarding this subject, but I note that no one mentioned that in VA your pistol will get run every time you get stopped.

If the LEO's here think this is not a good idea, I would appreciate comments.

CSSJR
 
old curmudgeon said:
When approaching a traffic stop or getting stopped for having a radar detector (illegal in VA) or some other minor infraction, I place my pistol on top of the dash, well in the center of the windshield where it is easily seen, almost out of my reach and definitely not concealed.
Click to expand...
That would be a CRIME in Ohio.

  1. You're FORBIDDEN from touching your firearm during a stop, without SPECIFIC instructions from the LEO.
  2. Having loaded firearm in a vehicle, anywhere but in a holster on your body, in a closed glovebox or center console, in a closed container with a closing mechanism of some sort in plain sight, or in a locked container in out of plain sight, is ILLEGAL.
What may work in one state may get you imprisoned in another. I keep seeing cases where people assume that what's legal where they live is legal everywhere else. The law is written by people, sometimes STUPID people and is completely arbitrary. Know and obey the laws where you are, RIGHT NOW.

We're hoping for continued carry reform here in Ohio, including restaurant carry, and eventually removal of the notification requirement. The way the governor's election is looking, our chances don't seem too good right now.
 
old curmudgeon said:
...
When approaching a traffic stop or getting stopped for having a radar detector (illegal in VA) or some other minor infraction, I place my pistol on top of the dash, well in the center of the windshield where it is easily seen, almost out of my reach and definitely not concealed.

I also immediately make it known that the pistol is where he can see it.

I believe that even with a CC permit this would be a good way to handle it.

...but I note that no one mentioned that in VA your pistol will get run every time you get stopped.

If the LEO's here think this is not a good idea, I would appreciate comments.

CSSJR
Click to expand...

I am a bit surprised that your manner of letting the LEO know you're carrying a gun involves (successfully and repeatedly, in your words) unholstering it and placing it on the dash whilst in the midst of a traffic stop.

I can assure that most professional and competent LEO's are closely watching the actions of all parties in a vehicle whilst preparing to approach. I can also assure you that doing what you claim to do would have resulted in your "routine" traffic stop becoming a felony car stop had I encountered you. No, that doesn't mean you committed a felony, but your handling of a firearm would have made me very suspicious and you would not have like the remainder of the stop.

That said, I find it hard to believe that all traffic stops in Virginia involve checking serial numbers of firearms encountered provided all else is "good."

Be safe.

PS:

Welcome to the Forum! Much good info is posted and always some spirited discussions. You'll like it here.
 
cmort666 said:
That would be a CRIME in Ohio.

  1. You're FORBIDDEN from touching your firearm during a stop, without SPECIFIC instructions from the LEO.
  2. Having loaded firearm in a vehicle, anywhere but in a holster on your body, in a closed glovebox or center console, in a closed container with a closing mechanism of some sort in plain sight, or in a locked container in out of plain sight, is ILLEGAL.
What may work in one state may get you imprisoned in another. I keep seeing cases where people assume that what's legal where they live is legal everywhere else. The law is written by people, sometimes STUPID people and is completely arbitrary. Know and obey the laws where you are, RIGHT NOW.

We're hoping for continued carry reform here in Ohio, including restaurant carry, and eventually removal of the notification requirement. The way the governor's election is looking, our chances don't seem too good right now.
Click to expand...

I thought I made it very clear that I was speaking only of NC and VA.

I also thought I made it very plain that I am careful to place the pistol BEFORE stopping so that there is absolutely no movement after stopping.

Both states are open carry.

Obviously this is not an option in NY, MD, OH or even TN.
 
That said, I find it hard to believe that all traffic stops in Virginia involve checking serial numbers of firearms encountered provided all else is "good."

It could be that had I had a permit, I would not have been checked.

But at the time, I was pulling a 4 horse trailer with a horse and 20 hounds. I am not a kid.

Old men hardly ever rob a bank pulling a horse trailer loaded with animals.

Therefore, I was hardly a suspicious character.

Further, the trooper never asked whether I had a permit so I don't think it would have made any difference.

In discussing the event with others, I was told that it is common in VA when stopped by a state trooper.

As I have not been stopped since by a state trooper, I have nothing to add to that other than I have been stopped in license stops by other officers with no incidents.

My real point here is that one needs to know the history of any gun carried, whether with a permit or without. Really that is a Captain Obvious statement, except that there are a lot of people like me who have owned so many guns purchased or swapped for over so many years that we can't really remember where they all came from. Many of them acquired long long ago when all you needed to buy a gun was the money in your pocket.

Many of mine were acquired by my brother, a certified gun nut, and swapped to me for something I had.

That was a point of concern for me at the time. The trooper was running the number and I was wondering where that gun came from and whether it was going to cause me a long delay in getting my horse and hounds home. A considerable worry when you are four hours from home with everything working the way it should.
 
If I were the LEO behind you, you'd probably have a pistol up side your head for all those suspicious movements. I can't imagine a stupider thing to do than to handle a firearm when a LEO was stopping you.
Don't take the personally, it's just my opinion.
 
I'm in Michigan, I am required to disclose. Just recently I was stopped while I had a new hand gun on the front seat in a partially opened case.

I was going too fast, I just bought the S&W40c and was not paying attention to my speed as I headed from the gun store to the club I belong to in order to try this puppy out.

I noticed a stop a head, looked down at speedometer and saw I was going 65, a speed I never go on back country highways. I roll off the throttle and see a deputy right after an on coming semi truck reveals his position. He hits the lights, I hit the brakes and pull over the shoulder immediately.

Damn this is awkward, never got stopped before with a handgun on passenger seat before.

As usual, the cop sits in car, running my plates while I fish my wallet out of my pocket and extract drivers license and my ccw license. I stick both out the side window with my other hand on top of the steering wheel.

He knew as he approached this is a car that may have a handgun in it.

When he came up to the window, I immediately disclosed, I have a firearm. He asked where, I pointed with the hand that was outside the window inwards and towards the passenger seat. There.

Then he asked, do you know why I stopped you? I responded, sure, I was going too damn fast.

Then he asked for registration and proof of insurance which is in my glove compartment which is near the gun case with my pistol on the seat.

I asked him, "Can I reach for it?", he said sure. He said, don't worry if you tried something it would be over before you knew it.

I got an impression he was part of the gun culture.
Anyway, I retrieved the paperwork, handed it to him, kept my hands on steering wheel while he was back in his cruiser and waited.

Deputy comes back, I see him in side mirror, he is holding my paperwork, nothing else. I start to have hope.

Hands me back my papers and asks me what did you buy? I tell him a S&W 40c. He grunts approval and tells me to watch my speed.

Szumi
 
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Szumi said:
I'm from Michigan and I've read Ohio laws each time I entered their state. You do not want to touch your firearm during a stop. It is a Ohio state felony.

Szumi
Click to expand...
And specifically regarding my last point, see the bolded section of the following portion of the Ohio Revised Code:

(E) No person who has been issued a license or temporary emergency license to carry a concealed handgun under section 2923.125 or 2923.1213 of the Revised Code shall do any of the following:

(1) Knowingly transport or have a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle unless one of the following applies:

(a) The loaded handgun is in a holster on the person’s person.

(b) The loaded handgun is in a closed case, bag, box, or other container that is in plain sight and that has a lid, a cover, or a closing mechanism with a zipper, snap, or buckle, which lid, cover, or closing mechanism must be opened for a person to gain access to the handgun.

(c) The loaded handgun is securely encased by being stored in a closed glove compartment or vehicle console or in a case that is locked.

(2) If the person is transporting or has a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle in a manner authorized under division (E)(1) of this section, knowingly remove or attempt to remove the loaded handgun from the holster, case, bag, box, container, or glove compartment, knowingly grasp or hold the loaded handgun, or knowingly have contact with the loaded handgun by touching it with the person’s hands or fingers while the motor vehicle is being operated on a street, highway, or public property unless the person removes, attempts to remove, grasps, holds, or has the contact with the loaded handgun pursuant to and in accordance with directions given by a law enforcement officer;
Click to expand...
 
PDL said:
If I were the LEO behind you, you'd probably have a pistol up side your head for all those suspicious movements. I can't imagine a stupider thing to do than to handle a firearm when a LEO was stopping you.
Don't take the personally, it's just my opinion.
Click to expand...

You are 100 to 200 yards behind me.

About 30% of the time I am pulling a 4 horse trailer.

Even without the trailer, I am in a F350 crew cab well above your line of vision.

You can see my every move? Good for you. I have trouble seeing the drivers head in most cars with their tinted glass and high backed seat backs required for crash protection.

I certainly would not do it if the cop was sitting next to me at a traffic light and decided to stop me.

I must not be able to write as clearly as I thought. I did attempt to be clear about that in my first post.

I also made it clear, I thought, that I do not advise anyone else even in this state, much less in NJ.

I can make such simple moves without looking like I am trying to dance the Charleston sitting down.

When the LEO gets close enough to see anything, the gun is in place and every thing is cool.
 
jtpur said:
anthoer cop wrote you and your a cop now? Thats plain wrong...i know I know some of you are gonna say who are we to get out of a ticket....???well I tell ya.....it a cop is getting his butt kicked on the street only another cop is guranteed to stop and help....now who wants to be getting their butt kicked and the guy you just wrote up drives by......yeah he should do the right thing and stop, but humans being what they are......you figure the rest out...
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, I am no longer LEO. I spent 12 years on a Sheriff's department in Michigan, but that was 20 years ago.

Strangely enough, I was on my way to Detroit for business on Tuesday when I was stopped by an IN State Trooper on the toll road (I80/90 for those not local). I had seen him pull out onto the highway behind me, but as I was not going too much over the limit (75 in a 70) I didn't give it a second thought. I had my S&W 442 tucked between my seat and the center console. About five miles down the road, he pulls in behind me and the lights come on. I had no time to tuck the gun into the center console.

Trooper comes up on the passenger side and I roll the window down. I'm concerned that he will see the gun and I didn't want to make any obvious movements to put it out of sight so I'm waiting with both hands on the steering wheel.

He asks for license and registration. I tell him I have a permit and there's a gun in the car. He asks where and I tell him it's between the seat and the console next to me. He asks me to remove it with my thumb and forefinger on the grip, demonstrating in mid-air what he wants. I comply and hand it to him, still in the pocket holster I use to keep it there without damaging the leather seat or console. He tells me he will keep it for the duration of the stop. "No problem."

I give him my D.L. and my CHL and my registration. He tells me he's stopping me for not using my turn signals to change lanes when passing a semi. :cool:

He goes back to the unit and I see him calling in. He gone a LOOONG time. I notice he's looking around the car next to him. Next thing I know, he's out of his unit with a Streamlight / Maglight / Kel-light (at 08:30 am? ***?) and he proceeds to open his rear driver's side door and rummage around inside. I figure he's dropped my license between his seats. He finally comes back up, hands me license and registration back and a "warning" ticket. He also tells me he's lost one of my shells down between the seats in his unit and he can't find it. He's going to look some more and before I can say anything off he goes. (I contemplated telling him that one shell was no big deal as I had two six-round and two five-round Quick Strips with reloads if I needed them, but thought perhaps this wasn't the most opportune time to do so.)

A few minutes later he's back (I've put all my stuff away and have read the warning over by that time) and he hands me back my gun and tells me he still can't find the shell. He explains about the warning ticket and says if I give him a couple more minutes he'll look for the shell again. I tell him it's no problem (as I now think I'm running low on time to make my appointment with the customer) and I'll just be on my way if it's okay with him. I thank him for his time and the warning ticket and wish him a good day.

Now, I could be upset that he unloaded my gun in his car (why, I don't understand) and lost a shell, but...
1. I did not use my turn signal when changing lanes, and
2. I had renewed my registration on-line the week prior and did not have the new registration with me. I had the paperwork printed off showing I had renewed, however and I had given it to him with the old registration. I suppose technically I was driving on expired tags, and
3. I was going five over the limit, and
4. I got a warning instead of a real ticket.
All-in-all I think giving up my gun for the duration of the stop and getting a warning ticket (along with seeing a State Trooper flustered and apologetic) was a reasonable trade.
YMMV and all, but I was happy with the outcome and never felt anything but amusement during the whole thing.
 
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