Interesting encounter with AZ State Troopers

[AZ_M&P]

I've been carrying daily for about 3 years now, and for the first time yesterday I had an exchange with a LEO while armed.

I was involved in a very minor traffic incident and called to have a report made. Moved to a parking lot and waited for them to arrive. Usually I see one officer in a car, but I saw 2 in one cruiser pull up behind me.

Hopped out of my truck and walked back, we discussed the incident for a minute, then the older LEO asked for my license. At this point it was clear the young driver was a rookie and the older officer was his FTO (mainly since the older officer explained things to him every step of the way).

As I opened my wallet to get my license the FTO must have spotted my CCW card because he immediately asked me if I had a gun on me or in the truck. I told him that there wasn't anything in the truck but that I had a weapon holstered under my dress shirt (obviously I knew better than to be moving around while this was going on). He looked at me for a split second and said something like "You look like a pretty straight guy, let's just leave it there". I agreed, lifted my coat to indicate exactly where it was and neither of them were the least bit concerned.

Both of these officers, in fact, were exceedingly polite and respectful through our entire interaction. Absolutely no hint of any bias against lawfully armed gun owners, nothing at all. All in all a really positive experience and a tip of the hat to the fine troopers at Arizona DPS!

 

[Jessie]

As it should be. Glad to hear that.
If I were a LEO these days, I would definatley be concentrating on those who wished me ill will and not anyone who jumped through the hoops to be a legal carrier.
Of course, one eye would still always be open!

 

[joe44va]

Essentially the same experience in Chesterfield County, VA two years ago.

 

[RobertJ.]

Thanks for sharing your story. I like to think that's how most LEO's would handle that situation.

I'll bet that in Arizona, LEO's are pretty familiar with people carrying, both CC and OC.

We got pulled over between Flagstaff and NM once. My wife was driving, and we got stopped because she was going 85. The trooper approached the passenger side cautiously, and when he saw Mr. and Mrs. Joe Average on an obvious road trip, I saw him visibly relax somewhat. He was very nice, and only gave my wife a stern warning.

 

[Hang-Fire Hank]

GOOD EXPERIENCE

I've been carrying daily for about 3 years now, and for the first time yesterday I had an exchange with a LEO while armed.

Hopped out of my truck.....
I'd be leery of walking TOWARDS officers uninvited, even though you made the call for assistance.

He looked at me for a split second and said something like "You look like a pretty straight guy, let's just leave it there". I agreed, lifted my coat to indicate exactly where it was and neither of them were the least bit concerned.
Again, I'd be leery of making any hand movement towards my pistol. Telling him (them) where it is & keeping your hands in plain view should be enough, unless directed otherwise.

Both of these officers, in fact, were exceedingly polite and respectful through our entire interaction.
I'd like to think that's how most officers act, unless given some reason to become more aggressive.

All in all a really positive experience and a tip of the hat to the fine troopers at Arizona DPS!

Very happy that you had an excellent experience interacting with our Dept. Of Public Safety LEOs.

I'm also an AZ resident where both top LEOs (City Chief & County Sheriff) are very sympathetic toward gun owners/carriers. Very fine family men who respect our Constitution's Bill Of Rights.

Hank M.

 

[ScubaSig]

It's great they reacted that way great LEOs in AZ! I was kinda of expecting while reading for them to have asked you why you had not disclosed the firearm prior to reaching for your wallet though?

 

[b_san]

It's great they reacted that way great LEOs in AZ! I was kinda of expecting while reading for them to have asked you why you had not disclosed the firearm prior to reaching for your wallet though?

Why would he, AZ doesn't require notification unless asked. And my less than pleasant (actually dangerous) experience with an individual officer in Scottsdale, AZ upon volunteering the information is the reason why I will never say anything about it ever again unless asked. YMMV as always.

 

[Hapworth]

On the rare occasion I'm pulled over, I keep my hands open in plain sight on the top of the wheel as the officer approaches, I'm polite without being obsequious, let the officer know exactly what I need to do before I do it (unlock my seatbelt, open the glove compartment, etc.), and ask first if that's all right; all movements are at a slow, relaxed speed, and I make sure they can see where both my hands are at all times.

This has served me well for decades -- never a bad encounter, and usually the officer comments that he or she noted and appreciates the steps I take; generally there's a friendly warning and no ticket.

The one occasion I was pulled over while carrying, all previous steps were followed except after I was greeted and asked to produce my license and registration, I opened with, "Good afternoon officer, I'll get you my license and registration immediately, but first I want to let you know I'm legally carrying concealed right now on my right hip, and I'll show you my permit along with driver's license and registration. May I get my wallet out of my back pocket?"

Officer couldn't have been nicer. And appreciative.

They do a tough job. I like to try and make it a little easier for the both of us.

 

[AZ_M&P]

And my less than pleasant (actually dangerous) experience with an individual officer in Scottsdale, AZ upon volunteering the information is the reason why I will never say anything about it ever again unless asked.

Do tell!

 

[gen3guy]

I have an AZ carry permit. You don't need to disclose that you have a weapon unless asked. Every time I've been stopped I've been asked. Since the AZ DPS (State Troopers) are the issuing entity for AZ carry permits, they should be able to know you have a CCW once they run your name. And yes, in AZ the police are accustomed to encountering people who carry and most are OK with it. Over 200,000 permits have been issued and you don't even really need one.

 

[Flattop5]

Arizona is 1 of 4 states that require NO PERMIT to carry concealed. So why bother with permits when you don't need to? Besides, the 2nd Amendment is your permit: you have a constitutional right to "keep" and "bear" arms (that's 2 rights at once).




-----------------------

 

[AZ_M&P]

Arizona is 1 of 4 states that require NO PERMIT to carry concealed. So why bother with permits when you don't need to?-----------------------

Because having the permit indicates that you take being armed seriously, and aren't just another yahoo with a gun. Mas Ayoob strongly suggests the permit so that in the event of a self-defense shooting your attorney can successfully demonstrate that you take being armed seriously enough to get some basic training. He's smarter than me when it comes to firearms so I'll gladly take his advice.

That being said, I found out that I had no idea what I didn't know until I took the 8 hour course through a reputable place. I see guys out here who offer the CCW for $15 and I can't imagine what they're not teaching. The course that I took was very heavy into the legalities and realities of self-defense shooting, and I think everyone in the class learned a great deal.

Plus, taking that course sort of lit a fire, and now I love taking additional firearms and defensive classes.

 

[pharmer]

We have a million permits in Fla. No telling what you will get regarding "LE- CC encounter." Some folks will be right appreciative and some downright surly. I think since most folks are from somewhere else originally, they carry what they learned here. Joe

 

[b_san]

Arizona is 1 of 4 states that require NO PERMIT to carry concealed. So why bother with permits when you don't need to? Besides, the 2nd Amendment is your permit: you have a constitutional right to "keep" and "bear" arms (that's 2 rights at once).

Main reason I keep renewing my AZ permit is to skip the NICS check but you can also carry a few other places with the permit and get reciprocity as a bonus.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Texas has around a million issued LTCs, too. (License to Carry - the new name now that open carry is here - well, in two weeks it's here.) Generally, the LEOs are very cool about it.

My first experience with Arizona in this respect was July 4th, 1984. I was in Prescott, watching the Independence Day parade with Barry Goldwater being the Grand Marshal or whatever title they used. Dozens of motorcycles were lined up on the curb side by side and the bikers were watching the parade whilst seated on their bike's saddles. Of course it was hot so none of them were wearing excessive clothing and almost all of them had shoulder or belt holsters on with exposed handguns. I was unfamiliar with the open carry rules in AZ so I asked a police officer about it. He said "Yep, we know", and I took that to mean it was neither uncommon nor a problem. So I'm sure in the intervening thirty years since then it's still not a problem in AZ.

So, a friend of mine was pulled over two weeks ago in Oklahoma. He showed his Texas CHL and got into a very cordial conversation with the LEO. It was pretty clear to him that the officer was not going to give him a ticket. Then the officer looked into the car and saw the radar detector.

"Oh, so you have a radar detector??!!"

"Yessir. Obviously, it didn't work."

"Well, I guess I just will have to write you this ticket."

Moral of that story - for the police, guns are good, radar detectors are bad!!!! ")

 

[4011]

Daughter got stopped by AST. She was carrying a Co. Permit. He dressed her down abut her 90 mph speed. And sent her on her way. I told her I would have written her because the kids were in the car!!!!!! She said I was a hard a--. She is a fast driver but very good driver.

 

[Hang-Fire Hank]

Arizona is 1 of 4 states that require NO PERMIT to carry concealed. So why bother with permits when you don't need to? Besides, the 2nd Amendment is your permit: you have a constitutional right to "keep" and "bear" arms (that's 2 rights at once).

1. Take immediate delivery from a retail seller.
2. AZ permit is recognized in 35 other states.
3. Interaction w/law enforcement lets them know by having a permit you've been thru an FBI background check, no prior felonies.
4. In court, no prosecutor can assert you were a Wild Cowboy who had no training, since the instructor may be subpoened (sp?) to attest to the defendant's grasp of a firearm being a defensive tool of last resort.
5. With a permit in AZ, you may carry into an establishment which serves alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises (e.g. restaurant) to continue to protect yourself, which non permit holders may not do.

IMO, a "well regulated militia" means TRAINED to carry & use a firearm effectively.

Hank M.

 

[sw dan]

az carry

fyi guys, years ago, az carry, did come up on a lic. check, now it does not come up on a lic. check. it used to, and caused many problems between leo"s and the cc's. .....swdan

 

[zzclancy]

Travel

Arizona is 1 of 4 states that require NO PERMIT to carry concealed. So why bother with permits when you don't need to? Besides, the 2nd Amendment is your permit: you have a constitutional right to "keep" and "bear" arms (that's 2 rights at once).




-----------------------

Because when you travel other states require you to have one.

 

[fpuhan]

There is on another site (no link provided; I don't want to break any rules) an article written by a former LEO on what to do when stopped. My summary of it is as follows:

1. Step 1: Put the vehicle in “Park” and take foot off brake.
2. Step 2: Roll down the window and place your hands on the steering wheel. If it's nighttime, turn on the dome light.
3. Step 3: As a courtesy, upon first contact, inform the officer of your concealed carry permit and firearm.

As some have mentioned, only some states require you to offer this information. Know the law in the state you're in, and if you're not obligated, make your own decision.