I had the opportunity to explore this event a couple weeks ago as I returned from the range at a higher than advisable rate of speed that attracted the attention of a pair of deputies and their surprisingly accurate radar gun. The officer in charge not very kindly asked me where I had been, what I had been doing, had I had anything to drink today, and was I taking any "medications?" (this is Colorado, mind you). Figuring that honesty is the best policy, especially when talking to LE, I stated that I had been target shooting on public land about 10 miles up the road and was returning home. Answers to the last two questions were NO SIR and NO SIR. Officers seemed a little tense. "How many guns do you have in your vehicle?" Now I'm a little tense. Uh ... using fingers ... 4 revolvers and one rifle. "Where are the guns?" The handguns are in cases in this box on the seat next to me and the rifle is in the case next to that. "Ok, do you have any weapons ON you?" NO SIR. That was the truth, but I had reserved my last 6 rounds of 357 in the model 19 just because. That is legal in this state and I do also have a concealed carry license, but had just elected to put the gun in the case for the ride home.
"Ok, let me see your papers and don't go digging around in that box." YES SIR, I understand.
Turns out I checked out as distinctly non-threatening and he advised me to be more observant of the signage due to the number of deer and elk on the road, don't want to hit one of those, makes a mess. Yes, I see them regularly and I promise to be more careful. "OK, have a nice day and here is my business card in case you have any questions about this contact." Then they relaxed and made some jokes about the targets that were clearly visible in the back. I think they were mostly looking for impaired drivers coming back from the nearby casinos and I didn't fit the description.
To make a long story longer, I thought about all this and sent the officer a respectful email inquiring about the proper procedure if I had been armed on my person. In the meantime, I looked up the law and it turns out that Colorado does not have a Duty to Inform law. In a couple hours, presumably at the end of his shift, he replied, also very respectfully, that IF ASKED I must state that I am armed. Then, it is up to the officer's discretion whether to disarm the person. Just do as directed.
So, I learned a little bit. Check your local laws.
