CCW while driving

[buzzkillbob]

I'm not sure...CHL-16 reads:

"GC §411.205. REQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY LICENSE.
If a license holder is carrying a handgun on or about the license holder’s person when a magistrate or a peace officer demands that the license holder display identification, the license holder shall display both the license holder’s driver’s license or identification certificate issued by the department and the license holder’s handgun license."

Emphasis mine. Doesn't say anything about when not carrying a handgun.

 

[Dave R]

I always carry while driving. If I'm ever pulled over and when asked by the officer for my license, registration and proof of insurance, I'll also include my CCP. Then let them ask the questions.

 

[flip flappy]

I would never take my gun off my body. Keep it in a holster and on your body. Way too many scenarios where you can get separated from your firearm if kept off your body.

Get yanked from your car or have to bail out....ooops, gun is in glove compartment or between seats.

FYI: I've been in LE for close to 18 years which means I wore a gun on a duty belt 40+ hours a week while driving a car. I've also carried off-duty, so again that means a gun in a holster. I've never found it uncomfortable.

Very interesting about getting separated from your gun. I usually have my pistol on me but know it would be hard to get to quickly. I do have another pistol on standby at an easier to get to location in my truck.
My holster is quite comfortable so it doesn't bother me while sitting or driving. What does bother me is getting out of the truck and re-holstering a pistol in plain sight of others in a parking lot. Another reason to leave it holstered.

 

[Golddollar]

The question of when to inform a LEO whether you are armed at a traffic stop has come up many times on another web site that I frequent. The overwhelming consensus is to not declare being armed unless required by state law or expressly asked. Experience appears to be that there is nothing to be gained and the downside inherent in meeting the one rotten apple in the barrel is too great.

 

[JL Murray]

This link: Do You Have A Duty To Inform When Carrying Concealed? We Look At All 50 States For The Answers – Concealed Nation may be useful and informative.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Arizona shows red, should be the lime green color. It is not Yes as shown on the map.

 

[Whitwabit]

Very few times I will have my gun on me while driving. When I get in my car I usually put my gun in the glove box or not often I may even keep my gun in a bag or under my seat. I have wondered though opinions of what is the best way to handle being pulled over while your gun is actually on your body? Ex: holstered on your side or an in the waist holster?
Sometimes I've been pulled over when my gun is in the glove box and I haven't felt the need to let the officer know. I provide my license and registration which I keep in a different area so I'm not reaching towards where my gun is and the stop has been okay. If it progressed to where I'm asked to be searched or the car then I would let them know. Just trying not to open up a can of worms if I don't need to.
One time a friend of mine got pulled over, the officer when told that my friend had a ccw legally, took the gun to the back lid of the trunk unloaded it and then placed it back in the glove box. Meanwhile when the stop was done and the officer left, me and my friend were on the floor in the dirt looking for the bullets that rolled onto the ground.
But I always worry about the gun actually being on me during a stop. Thoughts?

A conceal carry holder here near where I live was much like you .. he would put his weapon either in the glove box or in the center console .. that was till the day he forgot to retrieve it and take it in his house and his vehicle was broken into and now a Perp has his S&W Compact and an extra magazine ..

He is now worried it will be used in a gang shooting or another crime where someone innocent might be hurt ! Police have told him the odds of recovering it is slim to non existent .. they think he was being watched and someone had seen him retrieving the pistol .. the day he didn't they broke into his car .. he lives on a busy street with a good amount of foot traffic also .. but no one saw anything !!

Here in Illinois we do not have to notify but you'll find one of the first things said by a LEO is "Are there any weapons in the vehicle."

 

[tirod]

I've been stopped by the Highway Patrol - because the trooper and I were member of the same Reserve Unit. And when I showed up at work my boss told me he'd done the same to him, just jawed a bit and we laughed about it.

I've been pulled over by local LEO's twice the first four years I was living in a small town, working late and getting off past 2am. Basically they were "doing their job" but no, they were bored and could find out more about me in a stop than anything else. And, they did. "Weren't you going a little fast thru the curve back there?" got "it's posted at 35 as a caution and it's 2:30 am - you are the only other guy up at this hour." He repressed a smile and gave me my license back.

When MO had your CCW on the computer screen for your license stops were cordial and quickly resolved. Now it's not there - but for the most part old guys in old cars don't get stopped. I learned to slow it down where they stalk the roads. Dumb me if I do get stopped.

As for the actual gun, the implication is that a belt holster doesn't work well seated in a vehicle with a seat belt over it. Think about that - if you remove it to place it somewhere else, then consider why you are disarming yourself and making your defense more difficult. Belt holsters do that in a society where people drive a lot. The better answer is don't use a belt holster, and you don't have to stuff it in the seats or glovebox or under the seat where it can fly forward getting trapped under a pedal and preventing you use the controls. It belongs in a holster, no other place. Use a shoulder holster. It works better, is more comfortable, is more concealed when need be, controls the weapon at all times, and doesn't need you to put the gun anywhere else. I've spent a week on vacation with a good one, even on the beach, no problem. The point is that you decided you needed a gun - so, keep the gun on you instead of compromising your wear of it due to the choice of holster being the wrong one for what you are doing. Belt holsters aren't all that, and neither is pocket carry when driving.

 

[Smoke]

I'll just leave these here

http://smith-wessonforum.com/concea...ic-stop-while-carrying.html?highlight=Traffic


http://smith-wessonforum.com/concea...p-cool-my-traffic-stop.html?highlight=Traffic


http://smith-wessonforum.com/concea...stops-washington-state.html?highlight=Traffic


http://smith-wessonforum.com/concealed-carry-self-defense/311987-traffic-stop.html?highlight=Traffic


http://smith-wessonforum.com/concealed-carry-self-defense/225727-traffic-stop.html?highlight=Traffic


http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/116164-dont-gun-dork-traffic-stops.html?highlight=Traffic



http://smith-wessonforum.com/concea...ic-stop-while-carrying.html?highlight=Traffic

Just sayin'

 

[alexrex20]

Depends on the state. Here in Texas when the LEO asks for my DL I hand him my CHL as well. They usually just glance at it and hand it back. Rarely will they ask if I actually have a gun, or where it is. The most important thing is just do what the officer tells you, within reason.

If he asked me to disarm while seated, I'd tell him I'd be more comfortable if I just got out and stood up and he disarmed me himself (in clear view of his dash cam).

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[LostintheOzone]

State laws can be tricky. WA is an open carry state. Some would think that's a free pass to carry in a vehicle. Wrong. In order to legally carry a loaded firearm in WA in a vehicle you must have a CPL. That's any firearm. Here the LEO knows if you have a CPL when they pull you over and run your plates. I've been pulled over several times in the last few years, all very courteous and professional. Our CPL's
go through the DOL so the LEO has it up on the vehicle license database. I just assume they already know so no point in asking.

 

[Muss Muggins]

State laws can be tricky. WA is an open carry state. Some would think that's a free pass to carry in a vehicle. Wrong. In order to legally carry a loaded firearm in WA in a vehicle you must have a CPL. That's any firearm.

Missouri went completely the other direction when concealed carry passed several years ago. Carry a concealed weapon in public, permit required. Have a concealed weapon in your vehicle, no permit required. In about two weeks, we'll be full Constitutional carry, so all bets are off then . . .

 

[Ziggy2525]

One of the issues in Nebraska, at least the way I understand it, is if a loaded handgun is concealed and not on a person (it's in a glove box, under a seat) it's considered to be in possession of everyone in the vehicle. It can be a problem if you have people in the car with no permit (like your spouse).

 

[scooter123]

I just love that one about being a GUN Dork.

Michigan links the CCW status to the Drivers License database. So ANY Police Officer in ANY STATE who calls in for a record check is going to be informed that I have a CCW. Now, guess how that Officer is going to feel when he is informed that I may be armed? Ta Dah, he isn't going to be thrilled, in fact I would expect him to be a bit more than irritated. This is why I always present my permit with my license and state whether I am armed or not. Because dealing with a Police Officer who is quite irritated during a simple traffic stop is just going to lead for a very thorough enforcement of the Law, meaning no warnings and if the lens on a tail light is even only slightly cracked you'll get a citation for that as well.

Bottomline, being a "Gun Dork" is simply being Polite.

 

[crazyphil]

In Idaho we have a duty to inform the LEO that we have a concealed
weapon license. I practice and teach the following if pulled over by
an LEO:

1. Keep both hands on the steering wheel. Don't go digging around
in your pockets, glove box, etc.

2. When the officer asks for your driver's license, hand him/her your
concealed weapons license along with it.

3. When he/she asks if you are carrying, tell them if and where.

4. I have only had the experience of being pulled over once, and
followed my procedure as outlined above. It was no big deal.

5. I don't know why this wouldn't be a reasonable procedure
regardless of where you drive?

Several makers have "driver holsters". They can generally
be worn cross draw on your belt, or clipped to your seat
belt for unencumbered access.
Here is one that I kinda like. Made by Ross. Carrying my
snub nosed Model 10.

 

[Muss Muggins]

One of the issues in Nebraska, at least the way I understand it, is if a loaded handgun is concealed and not on a person (it's in a glove box, under a seat) it's considered to be in possession of everyone in the vehicle. It can be a problem if you have people in the car with no permit (like your spouse).

National Park Service officers used to try that around here with marijuana. They'd walk into a campsite on National Scenic Riverway ground, see a joint on a picnic table, and charge everybody within reaching distance with possession of marijuana. Worked until somebody actually litigated it, and a U.S. Magistrate found that multiple people can't possess one joint unless everybody is holding it at the same time . . .

 

[Ziggy2525]

National Park Service officers used to try that around here with marijuana. They'd walk into a campsite on National Scenic Riverway ground, see a joint on a picnic table, and charge everybody within reaching distance with possession of marijuana. Worked until somebody actually litigated it, and a U.S. Magistrate found that multiple people can't possess one joint unless everybody is holding it at the same time . . .

I suspect the Nebraska law was originally written to address gang bangers that were stopped with a weapon in the car and everybody said "not mine."

I also suspect the only place in Nebraska it would be enforced is Omaha and Lincoln. If you told a rural deputy or town marshal you had a pistol in your glove box, they'd probably say "yeah, who doesn't."

Since the law is on the books, I wouldn't want to be the test case. You may win in the long run, but it would be expensive to prove the point.

 

[Smoke]

I just love that one about being a GUN Dork.
Bottomline, being a "Gun Dork" is simply being Polite.

FWIW the poster that posted that thread didn't write it, he stole it from an Examiner article

 

[Bpx4st]

Well, my first question is, if you have a valid concealed carry permit for whatever state you live in, why are you making your gun hard to reach in the event you might need it? It isn't going to do you a bit of good if you can't get ahold of it in a hurry.



I don't see anything here to worry about. If you're legally carrying, there should be no problem. Some states do require you to inform the LEO that there's a loaded handgun/weapon in the vehicle, whether you're carrying it on your person or not. Know your firearms laws and regulations.

In the event there is a problem, do what the cop tells you to do and don't argue about it. If you believe you're being treated unfairly, take it to court.

Well, that depends on the state. In TN, you don't have to have a permit to carry open, concealed, loaded or unloaded in your vehicle...but you do need a permit to carry on your person. No duty to inform either but unless you're not permitted, there's no reason to hide the fact & can actually make life easier. If you're not permitted though, it's best to not have it on your person as the proverbial creek becomes a mess to paddle up.
Know your laws, get permitted & no worries.

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[Bpx4st]

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.

Straight forward answer...if you have a permit to carry, there's no valid reason to be concerned over a stop. Your uncomfortableness is probably human nature. If, however, you're not permitted, there is a very valid reason for concern, so just don't do it. I dont know the laws in your state for carrying in your car but I think it's safe to assume on the body carry without a permit is a no no. Adjust accordingly.

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