Official Police contact- What do you say?

[Lightfoot4]

In North Carolina, we have to notify. I've done it three times. Each time I said, "I need to inform you that I'm carrying a firearm."

First time I was changing a flat tire at night. Sheriff's Deputy rolled up to see what was up. He must have been fresh out of training because he didn't look much older than 12 years old. He wanted to know where the gun was, he lifted up my shirt to see it, and he wanted to see my carry permit.

Second time one of my kids had a minor one vehicle accident. I arrived on the scene to talk to the cop, and told him I was carrying. He just thanked me and continued with the conversation.

Third time one of my kids was at a party that got busted for underage drinking. Luckily my kid wasn't involved, but they were there, so the cops called me to come get 'em. Told the cop I was carrying a firearm and he said, "Hey! I'm carrying one too!"

 

[Rifleman762]

Smoke, you must have misunderstood me. I never said chosing to NOT inform a LEO of your CCW, or NOT consenting to a search was you being a jerk. Your rights are your rights. Just like I didn't say a cop deciding to issue a citation is him being a jerk, he has a right to do his job. I just recommend being polite (as possible) when doing either. That's all.

 

[italiansport]

Quote:
"My wife was stopped about 4 years ago and advised him she was a CCW holder (not required in AZ)
"
Just an FYI here:
What you said is true However; In the City of Phoenix Concealed Carry permits are cross referenced with your drivers license. I know this because I was stopped once and as soon as the officer ran a check he came back and asked if I had a firearm on me since I had a permit.
Jim

 

[Skeet 028]

Well here in Wyoming police don't seem to ask. Since it is a no permit state they assume everyone carries, I think. I have been stopped twice in the last 10 yrs or so. once for a safety chain that came off and another for a tail light malfunction. Cops were courteous and friendly. In fact I had just bought 3 handguns at a yard sale..and they were lying on the passenger seat. Cop saw them there and didn't bat an eye..of course they were in plain view and I never reached for them. After fixing the tail light(wasn't locked in the socket) officer did mention the guns. Told him I had bought them at a yard sale down the road. He said about 5 miles down the road?..Said he had considered stopping there but it always looked bad to have a cop at a yard sale. He was kinda annoyed as one was a Nazi marked Browning HiPower. I must admit Wyoming is truly different than the state I moved from... The People's Republic of Maryland.

 

[GaryS]

In MA it's very likely that they will know you have a LTC as soon as they run your information. It's fairly recent, but it seems that LTC information is now linked to DL and registration information.

At least that's what I gather from listening to police channels on the scanner.

Personally, I think it's the guy with no LTC who has a gun that they should be more concerned with.

Mass is also a No Declare state and I have also been thinking about this scenario. My first impression is that since I've never been asked to step out of my car in my life, that I would be silent on the issue. But there have been situations where a pair of officers were involved in the stop with one on the driver side and one checking in on the passenger side. On the off chance that the passenger side LEO caught sight of the firearm as I was getting my wallet out of my right rear pocket, it would be VERY SMART to say something first, or to carry my wallet in the offside pocket I guess.
Good thing to consider in any case.

 

[GaryS]

Just for the record, Ayoob was not the first guy to recommend this, it's quite commonly known. Until I read your post, I didn't even know that he did recommend it. I've been doing this on the few times I've been stopped for about 20 years. It seems to work well, because every time I've done it, I drove away with a verbal warning and "Have a nice day sir.", from the officer.

Not that I get stopped all the frequently, about once every 10 years or so.

I have Ayoobs response memorized. Hands on wheel with license in plain view. Dome light on. Motor off. If I am not asked to get out of the car, make no mention I am carrying. If asked to get out say the following: "Certainly, officer, but before I do I want to advise you I am LICENSED to carry and am doing so now. Please tell me how you would like me to proceed." Do not say the word "gun". If another officer is in earshot you may have his stuck in your ear.
I got stopped for having a Padiddle (For those of you under 50 that's having a headlight out). I always get out my license before stopped. Cop came up and demanded to know what I was "fumbling around" with before I stopped. I advised him I was getting out my wallet. He demanded to know why. I paused and said "Uh, because that's where I keep my license. This had apparently never occurred to him.
I had a thread on here a few months ago about a really nice Trooper that pulled me over. Asked me to step back to his car. I advised him I was carrying. He shrugged and said just leave it there. (I was actually carrying a Glock on my hip and my M340PD in my left pocket). Got back to the car and talked about carry guns. He said his backup was a .380. Asked him if he wanted to see mine. He sure did. Was impressed my an 11 ounce .357 Magnum. Even gave me a big break on the ticket.
If I don't need to tell I keep my mouth shut.
Jim

 

[deadear dan]

Personally I would take my wallet out and place it on the dash before stopping. Yeah I know such movement will present a red light for the police officer when approaching the car but I don't want to be reaching, even slowly toward my waist while carrying.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

FWIW, I have been asked, "Do you know why I stopped you?" It happened in Newton MA on a radar setup on a main drag through a residential neghborhood. I answered, "Probably for speeding." I got a warning ticket. Don't know whether that was for honesty, or because he was mainly set up to give warning tickets, or some other reason. I also don't know what my speed was.

Last time I heard from an LEO, LEOs in MA could find out whether the registered owner had a permit, but they had to ask for it, and generally didn't. I have also heard from at least one MA LEO who thought that people who volunteered such information were a little off, and were usually trying to say something that the LEO really didn't want to hear.

 

[dave1918a2]

When I carry, I have a duo-fold card wallet that holds two items, one on each side. My ccw is always there and when I carry I put my CDL in the other side and carry it in My shirt pocket. I always wear shirts with pockets and this keeps My hands away from My weapon, and the LEO can always see My hands. Saves trouble.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

No duty to notify in Tennessee.

Our DL and HCP are both the same number. If they run the plate on my truck they know who the registered owner is, DL and HCP linked.

Only been pulled over once. Handed over both DL and HCP. Never mentioned anything about a gun nor did the officer. That's the way it should be. Unless you look like or asking for trouble, I can't imagine anyone around here being disarmed during a traffic stop as SOP. I don't do anything out of the ordinary like keeping my hands on the steering wheel or anything like that. I doubt many do. Having a loaded gun in the car is now legal without a HCP. So far I haven't heard of any big problems.

Officer asking me why I was pulled over?? The officer is the one who pulled me over. He's the one who needs to explain why, not me.

Be polite.
Comply with instruction.
Deny requests as you see fit.
Be polite.

 

[Whitwabit]

In Illinois your CC is flagged on both registration and license.

The county sheriff I took my CC class from told us LEO's had been told to say, I'm officer SO&SO are there any weapons in the vehicle? Then will ask for license and registration and then your CC if you are carrying at the time. They may also ask where the weapon is in the vehicle, weather it is on your person, which mine always is ! They will instruct you what to do from that point.

I haven't been stopped in over 25 years except for a drive through inspection when vacationing in Arizona, they just had an officer on each side of the lane with a dog, just slowed down and was waved through they didn't even speak just waved us through. There was a little pull over lane looked like it was used all the time. Looking for illegals was close to the border .. Was driving a Jeep with the top down. No place to hide anything.

 

[Tyree1867]

I find this question interesting . . . must be a TV cop thing. I have never asked anyone "do you know why I stopped you?" In all my 20+ years I don't recall ever hearing any other officer asking that question either."

In my very few traffic stop encounters with State Police I have been asked that question. My belief is that they are looking for an admission and will make note of it. If you choose to appear and contest before the magistrate, in lieu of paying by mail, the admission will be used. In NY the issuing officer is required to appear for a requested hearing on any tickets issued.

 

[jimmyj]

When driving I keep a dozen freshly baked jelly doughnuts next to me.
If I am stopped by a Cop:
Officer: Sir, do you know why I stopped you"?
Me: Why yes I do Officer, You wanted a doughnut, and I have a dozen right here.

****I will not be available for the next 30 days

 

[Road Rat]

In Illinois you don't have to tell unless asked. But I would recommend you telling the LEO after he has approached your vehicle because the first thing out of his mouth will be "Are there any weapons in the vehicle " ! My nephew a local city LEO said in his training they were taught to ask that the first questions, the second being where is it located.

IF I am stopped for lights out, rolling through a stop sign, exceeding speed limit; whatever - what reason does the officer have to inquire what I may or may not have in my vehicle???
I don't understand the question!!! JMHO.............

 

[TexasRaider]

Bit off topic, sort of, but the dumbest thing I ever saw on a traffic stop was an idiot who had purchased a 'Concealed Carry Permit' badge. Yeah, a badge. Had it in a wallet, flipped it out like he was Kojak.

I presume we all love guns on this forum, but that is too far out, man. Whack job. Best advice I can give anyone vis-à-vis CHL's and police contact is DON'T BUY A DUMB CCW BADGE! And if you do, leave it at home as a desktop decoration or something.

 

[35remuserx2]

I think the logic behind handing the LEO your CCW license is , it is a more relaxed way of informing him vs. stating "I have a gun" type of thing.

Unless I thought it was going to come up , I'd not mention it.
If I had to get out of the car during the stop, this would be one of those times.

I gave a LEO a ride one time. I knew he'd be getting in so I tossed a rag over my pistol that was out in plain view.
When he got in , I told him ..... "just so you know I have a firearm under there"
He asked me if I was planning on shooting him.
He didn't sound very serious about it.
I said , I have no reason to shoot you.
He took a little peek under the rag and we drove away.

 

[Rastoff]

...what reason does the officer have to inquire what I may or may not have in my vehicle???
I don't understand the question!!! JMHO.............

While I guess there may be some officers out there that won't ask, you can bet most will.

They have a difficult job and deal with the lowest denominator in society all the time. It is wise for them to assume the occupant intends them harm until they determine otherwise. Therefore, they are likely to ask if you have any weapons.

The US Supreme Court has determined that a police officer has the right to make the scene safe. This could include holding on to a gun until the situation is resolved; regardless of what that situation is. Yes, including a headlight being out.

 

[redlevel]

I would guess that in most jurisdictions in Georgia, at least 60% of vehicles have firearms in them. In rural areas, you can probably bump that to 90%. It is legal to have a loaded handgun in your vehicle without a Georgia Weapons License.

Why would a GA LEO need to ask? I would think they just automatically assume everyone is armed.

 

[Rastoff]

I would guess that in most jurisdictions in Georgia, at least 60% of vehicles have firearms in them. In rural areas, you can probably bump that to 90%.

Those numbers seem awfully high to me. I'll bet it's more like 10% with 20% in rural areas.

 

[kbm6893]

Ayoob is generally very knowledgeable, but if he is telling you to have your license out before the cop walks up, then I say he is wrong. Reaching for anything until you are told is not wise. Is it your wallet or a gun? Just sit there with hands at 10 and 2 and wait to be asked. Ignorant but well meaning people reach for it all the time before the cop is even there. Same with getting out of the car.

And as pro-cop as I am, you're not searching my car without probable cause. Shining a light everywhere is fine to make sure there is nothing illegal, but that's it.