CCW while driving

[Ten_Lights]

First, it sounds like you get stopped for traffic violations frequently! Are you a slow learner? The traffic laws in your state are available to study and obeying traffic markings and signs should be fairly obvious, the signs and markings are there to be seen/read, do it! They are not suggestions like many seem to think, they are lawful commands, the obedience to which is mandatory, not optional. They are "real" laws and violating them is a criminal act of some degree. In short, stop doing what you are doing to get stopped, it will save you money for insurance too!

As several have said carry your gun on your person. Forget the console, glove box, under the seat, etc. If you don't recall from your concealed (whatever your state calls the permit/license) classes what the requirements for declaring on a confrontation with an officer for any reason then go to the source, your states laws concerning this. Believe it or not you can find this on-line for every state! Start with: (Your state) code for a search. Then, if you get stopped, keep your hands on the steering wheel and keep them there until the officer is at the window. Announce if you are required and follow his instructions and answer his questions clearly and unequivocally. Do not reach for your wallet until told to present your license. do not make any move that could be construed as reaching for a gun, it could get you shot even if you have already declared that you are armed!

Truth be told I can't recall the last time I got pulled over but I still prefer to know rather than assume things. In regards to being a slow learner, have you been assuming things all your life? I have found that in this forum for some reason the most simplest of questions asked have led many people to attack the person asking them. It's a shame because I love Smith and Wesson but I don't like what I've seen on some of these forums. We should all be on here to help one another, maybe even laugh at things. I went once on another firearm forum and saw someone writing about how people are on this SW Forum and I've seen post on this forum also with people not understanding why they're being called out. To sit here and assume someone is consistently breaking the law or a slow learner it says a lot about you and is surprising when coming from someone who has defended our country and also has Law Enforcement experience. I thank you for your sacrifices and respect what you do but remember in order to get respect you should give. My state has no law in regards to whether you must inform an officer I was just trying to get various thoughts, opinions not a scolding or assumption about breaking any laws.
Just so you know the many times I did get pulled over had nothing at all to do with laws being broken but me owning a very nice show car. Many times officers pulled me over, ran all my information, even searched my vehicle and then let me go on my way. They must have been assuming things too, There must be a lot of that going around.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Ten Lights, I think Alk hit the nail on the head or maybe, you aren't truly slow, just like living on the edge. Living on the edge and having a loaded gun in your car is a great way to get shot! People on this forum take it personal when gun carrying people do stupid things. If you can't stand the heat, then why did you ask? Are you trolling for an argument? That will get you removed fast around here. You have been given some pretty good advice (weather you like the delivery or not), you would be wiser to take it than complain about it. But this is a free country, you have the right to do unwise things and you will get to suffer the consequences of them too.

Ivan

 

[Ten_Lights]

I always have it in my holster while driving, so I never have to remember where I left it last.

Simple to solution to being pulled over is don't do anything to get pulled over. I've been driving for over 50 years and the last time I was pulled over was 44 years ago....knock on wood!

A bit off topic, but if you drive with friend that also carry's it's important for you to know if they are legal as well, and especially not a prohibited possessor. This was brought up in my Nevada CCW class and is something that could land you in the slammer real quick.

You've been fortunate to not be pulled over but some times things don't work out that way for everyone. I owned a very nice show car and consistently got pulled over, my info was ran and then I would be let go so as you can see just cause someone gets pulled over doesn't always mean they did anything to contribute to that. Unless owning a nice car is against the law.

As for my friend or any of them, I KNOW who I put in my car. The friend who was involved in this particular stop that I spoke of is a veteran and is the one who got me interested in gun ownership and being a ccw holder. It was real disrespectful for that officer to remove all the bullets from his clip and allow them to fall on the ground to then leave them there and drive away. I can understand maybe removing the clip but to stand there and one by one remove each bullet was uncalled for. Especially he knew who he was pulling over for the most part before he made the stop. It was a driver with no arrest record, nothing. Last but not least there was no reason for the stop other than it being a random stop. That stop also happened to be in his car which also was a nice looking car.

 

[Ten_Lights]

Ten Lights, I think Alk hit the nail on the head or maybe, you aren't truly slow, just like living on the edge. Living on the edge and having a loaded gun in your car is a great way to get shot! People on this forum take it personal when gun carrying people do stupid things. If you can't stand the heat, then why did you ask? Are you trolling for an argument? That will get you removed fast around here. You have been given some pretty good advice (weather you like the delivery or not), you would be wiser to take it than complain about it. But this is a free country, you have the right to do unwise things and you will get to suffer the consequences of them too.


Ivan

You mind telling me what I did that was stupid? GO AHEAD I'LL WAIT
I asked a question and he went on and assumed I was breaking laws. Maybe this forum is your life but it isn't mine so if I get removed for whatever reason that's okay.

 

[The Big D]

A couple questions...

...for Ten_Lights, please.

Just what kind of car do (did?) you operate that regularly got the attention of LEO's who thereupon effected a stop? In what jurisdiction(s) did this occur?

In any of the illegal stops did the LEO ever find the gun you stashed in your car?

FTR, was a LEO for 30.5 years and have never heard of a car being stopped solely because the car was 'nice.'

Be safe.

 

[Ten_Lights]

...for Ten_Lights, please.

Just what kind of car do (did?) you operate that regularly got the attention of LEO's who thereupon effected a stop? In what jurisdiction(s) did this occur?

In any of the illegal stops did the LEO ever find the gun you stashed in your car?

FTR, was a LEO for 30.5 years and have never heard of a car being stopped solely because the car was 'nice.'

Be safe.

It was an award winning show car with a highly customized paint job with candy colors, pearls and graphics. Being surrounded by many in the car show scene I know of many many people who have been pulled over primarily because they have had a flashy car. I have 3 members of my family who are in Law Enforcement all 3 are still active and they are aware of officers pulling people over just because the car has caught the officers eye. I'm very surprised that you with all your years have never ever heard of that. One of my family members who is currently a detective and used to be part of the car show culture before he was in Law Enforcement knows exactly what I mean by getting pulled over because of your car.

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[The Big D]

Unprofessional LEO's.

That's unfortunate. I suspect you live in an area that does not have professional law enforcement personnel and leadership.

FTR, I am a car enthusiast and never, ever, ever made a stop and searched a car because it was 'nice.'

I hope you reported this LEO misconduct. But please answer my question re: did the LEO's ever find your hidden gun?

Be safe.

It was an award winning show car with a highly customized paint job with candy colors, pearls and graphics. Being surrounded by many in the car show scene I know of many many people who have been pulled over primarily because they have had a flashy car. I have 3 members of my family who are in Law Enforcement all 3 are still active and they are aware of officers pulling people over just because the car has caught the officers eye. I'm very surprised that you with all your years have never ever heard of that. One of my family members who is currently a detective and used to be part of the car show culture before he was in Law Enforcement knows exactly what I mean by getting pulled over because of your car.

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[Ten_Lights]

That's unfortunate. I suspect you live in an area that does not have professional law enforcement personnel and leadership.

FTR, I am a car enthusiast and never, ever, ever made a stop and searched a car because it was 'nice.'

I hope you reported this LEO misconduct. But please answer my question re: did the LEO's ever find your hidden gun?

Be safe.

To answer your question, when I owned that show car I did not own a gun. The only reason that show car came up was because people were saying that I must be doing things to get pulled over when I wasn't even having a problem being pulled over but I did know from experience that you don't have to do something to get pulled over. That was the reason the show car even came up. I'm older now and drive a car that looks like everyone else's so I never get pulled over but I was just wondering people's opinions about getting pulled over while your gun is on your body.
When I was younger I used to say if I was a cop I wouldn't harass young kids that worked and took every penny and put it into their cars. I wouldn't automatically assume the car was obtained illegally or that a person dealing drugs was in it. I knew how hard I worked, even two jobs at a time just to get a new pair of rims, accessories etc added on for the next show. I know guys from back in the day that used to own custom cars, were even part of the car clubs and are now cops and they have told me they know the struggle at times of being young and working hard for your car and I think they are
very nice and understanding to pulling someone over just because of their car.
So to wrap it up, I was just trying to find out was it just me who felt a little uncomfortable with having the gun on my body when in the driver seat/getting pulled over. Justified stop or not I'm just trying to do the right thing and make it home to my family just like I'm sure the officer is.

I have my right to carry because it was never taken from me because I don't break the law and don't intend to.

 

[steelslaver]

MT doesn't require that you inform, but, I have been stopped twice in the last 2 years (speeding on highway) and both times I have handed them my permit along with my DL and gotten a warning and a thank you. Though I figured I knew why I was getting stopped, I don't know everything that is going on for LEOs at any given time. I do know I don't want any misunderstandings if for some reason he sees my gun.

 

[old bear]

To try and get back on track. I prefer to keep my CCW gun on my person when ever I carry one. For a long auto drive, I've been known to put my revolver in the drivers side door pocket. In NC we MUST inform L/E of the fact we are armed. I've yet to be stopped, perhaps by sheer luck. but if stopped I'm keeping my hands on the steering wheel, with window 1/2 down. First words out of mouth will be Officer I have a loaded firearm in the car. From there I'll let him/her decided our next move.

20 + years later I can admit this. several time folks talked themselves into a citation, when a friendly warning was my intention.

Ten Lights just err on the side of caution and let the officer know you have a firearm in the car.

 

[Brasky]

If you don't keep the firearm on you when driving, you are more likely to forget it in the car. If you can't carry it comfortably in the car, how do you sit down at work? In a restaurant? At a friends house?

I can draw my Glock just as fast sitting as standing. I carry appendix IWB and it rarely is uncomfortable

 

[speedyquad]

Mine is always on me. As a volunteer firefighter, I've spent many a night looking through "debris" of a car wreck in the woods/field/road trying to find the driver's id/wallet/purse because it was in their center console/passenger seat/ glove compartment. Some were found, some were not. I can't imagine how much farther a gun with more mass would travel, and I'd hate to have my firearm "roaming" free out in the world, and no one knowing to look for it. At least if it's on my body, theoretically, it should be secure.

 

[ChiefStealth]

I carry IWB cross-draw. It doesn't work well when seated as in the car. When in the car I remove the gun and holster from my belt. Separate gun from holster. Keep gun in my lap. When I get out of the car, the gun goes back in the holster, and back on the belt. The holster design makes this easy. I've never been pulled over. Never!

 

[TexasArmed]

I carry IWB cross-draw. It doesn't work well when seated as in the car. When in the car I remove the gun and holster from my belt. Separate gun from holster. Keep gun in my lap. When I get out of the car, the gun goes back in the holster, and back on the belt. The holster design makes this easy. I've never been pulled over. Never!

In my state (Texas) if the gun is not concealed on your lap
would not be good, open carry requires a retention holster.
I carry concealed outside my vehicle, but inside i uncover but
in a holster, since i don't want to have to take time to pull up
my shirt to draw. But knowing that I might be stopped if I am
pulled over my billfold is in my front pocket and i would pull it
out before the car stopped moving, put it on the seat, and after I am stopped, i would keep my hands on the steering wheel till the officer arrived at my window. Reaching for a
billfold suddenly is probably not a good idea. My billfold has the CHL in a clear window, along with the DL. If you had the
gun out of your holster on your lap i think that might be a problem in Texas.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

If its not on your person...........Its not concealed carry period......

 

[Donn]

No need to think about it. The law here is that the first words out of your mouth is to inform the officer, so that's what I'd do.

Same same here in Michigan. You're required to inform the officer you have a CPL and are carrying a sidearm. The officer decides what happens next. I've only been pulled over once since I got my CPL, and there was no problem.

 

[Tinhack]

...FTR, was a LEO for 30.5 years and have never heard of a car being stopped solely because the car was 'nice.'

Ha!
I have been stopped for no other reason than I can think of. But Lamborghinis will do that in a small town when the driver is wearing a T-shirt and baseball cap. He had no probable cause but I knew his father and didn't say anything. I was glad I had the repair order in the car though. I had just finished some small paint and body work on the air dam for a long time customer and drove it to the gas station so he wouldn't run out on the way home. I thought that was considerate.

Another time I was stopped on a test drive after completing a full up restoration on a 1925 Cadillac. But I don't think the LEO knew it didn't need a safety inspection sticker. I had to explain it to him and he called-in to check. We jawed for about a half an hour while he looked over the car. I think he just wanted to see the car because the inspection sticker didn't come up for at least 10 minutes.

All the officers in town know me now and just wave. They know if it's some stand-out car, it's probably me. I'm worried they'll see my own piece of junk and stop me.

 

[MichiganScott]

As required by Michigan law, I inform the officer that I have a CPL, when I hand him my driver's license, and CPL. I also advise him that I am carrying, and where it is located, on my person, in the console, etc. I would not agree to let them search me, or my vehicle.

I only show them my CPL when actually carrying. I inform them that I have a CPL and not carrying because it will show up when they call it in. I have found that by following the law exactly the officer will probably cut you some slack.

 

[HorizontalMike]

HUH?

...FWIW, in Texas you must voluntarily disclose the fact that you have a LTC and a firearm on every traffic stop. Even if you don't have a firearm with you you must inform the officer you have a LTC...

I have been stopped several times over the last 8 years or so and have never had a problem. I followed the rules. Also never got a ticket, even though I probably deserved to once or twice.

Please site THAT law. Where is it required that you HAVE to reveal your CCL when NOT carrying? And YES, I live in Texas, at least the last 30yr of so...

 

[Tinhack]

Please site THAT law. Where is it required that you HAVE to reveal your CCL when NOT carrying? And YES, I live in Texas, at least the last 30yr of so...

I agree. No reveal unless you're carrying. What would be the point?