Drivers license/CCW connected?

[s&wchad]

I’m curious from a Law Enforcement standpoint what you carrying with a permit has to do with running a red light. Why aren’t they stroking out your ticket and saying have a nice day? Why are they even asking? What bearing does your carry permit have on the entire situation? Any pull over is a potential trouble situation, but I would think by the time your driver’s license is already out and run through the computer that the situation is well in hand and almost over. So I’m lost why a CCW permit or your carry status would even be brought up???

If I had to stop people, I’d want to know as much about them as I could before I walked up to the car. Wouldn’t you?

In Michigan, if you’re “detained” by LE while carrying on a CPL, you are required to “immediately” inform them. The officer has the right to secure your firearm during the stop, but they typically don’t. I’m sure it depends on the reason for the stop. This requirement was written into our Shall Issue Law and you agree to those terms when accepting the license. It’s kind of like when you join this forum, you agree to follow the rules.

If you are illegally carrying, there’s no requirement to incriminate yourself, but it is a crime to give false statements.

Ps. It’s best not to stick your head out the window and yell, “I have a gun”!

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

In Kentucky, when a LEO runs your DL, a secondary window pops up and tells them your CCW information.

 

[johngalt]

In Ohio, the CCW is linked to the DL. In the early days of Ohio's CCW law, I was told that the CCW notification came up on their screen the same way the they are notified of felony warrants. I guess it made traffic stops interesting.

 

[bk43]

So I’m lost why a CCW permit or your carry status would even be brought up???

Although not required the Florida officers, especially FHP, really appreciate knowing they are dealing with a good guy. At least that's what they told me when I asked. Stops are a dangerous thing here along the I95 drug corridor so why not make their day just a little more stress free and pleasant.

Bob

 

[dmar]

What if you don't happen to be carrying at the time?
Do you have to inform them you aren't?

In NC, yes, you would be in violation. If you have engagement with an LEO, and you are a concealed weapon permit holder, you inform that you are a permit holder. This even includes if the LEO asks you a question as you are walking down the street...

 

[m75rlg]

My understanding on the requirements in NC are that you must inform if you are carrying concealed prusuant to a permit when "approached" by a LEO. (A check of your NCDL will indicate if you are a permit holder.)

I don't think we have a definition of what "approached" means from any appealent courts yet. Does that mean meeting on the street, or does it require some official interaction or detention? In my courtroom, and I would hazzard to guess most others, it required "official interaction". Otherwise you might be required to yell across the street to the officer walking in the opposite direction in the downtown area "Mr. Officer, I'm carrying a weapon!"

There is no requirement to inform if you are open carrying, or if you are a permit holder who is unarmed.

Of course that is just my understanding as a permit holder, and retired judicial official, and the way it was enforced in my jurisdiction, and other jurisdictions I had contact with across the state. I am not licensed to practice law or give legal advice, so in NC follow your own understanding.

 

[JohnnieB]

Anyone know about WV?

Your WV CHL is not linked to your WV DL, but WV State Police have a CHL database and any LEO inquiry will get a quick reply from them.

WV is not a Duty-to-Notify state, but my LEO friends tell me it is an appreciated courtesy if you are carrying, so I probably will if I ever get stopped.

I live on the boarder and travel in Ohio often, which is a Duty-to-Notify state and has a lot of other weird laws, so I try to stay legal for Ohio and I'm legal in WV, which has far more sensible gun laws except for a few cities we are trying to "educate".

For more info about WV gun laws, check out West Virginia Citizen's Defense League. You don't have to be a WVCDL member to ask questions.
West Virginia Citizens Defense League (WVCDL)

 

[Maximumbob54]

Although not required the Florida officers, especially FHP, really appreciate knowing they are dealing with a good guy. At least that's what they told me when I asked. Stops are a dangerous thing here along the I95 drug corridor so why not make their day just a little more stress free and pleasant.

Bob

Because the one and only person that I have met handed the FHP both his driver's license and his CCW permit and was asked to please step out of the car, put your hands on the roof, spread your legs, his pistol was taken from him, he was handcuffed, and sat in the back of the car until his paperwork was I guess processed. He was given his pistol back with and empty magazine and a zip lock bag of his ammo and told thank you for your patience. I told my friend he should file a harassment charge at the officer, but he was just glad it didn't go further than that. I didn't want to crawl him any worse than he had just got but I was mad for him all the same. So despite being told in the CCW class that I went to that we "should" notify, I'm not sure if I will or not. But I also won't be flashing either. I completely understand that police have to worry about potential confrontation but the level of treatment that you risk by trying to be honest has created a feeling or borderline desire to be dishonest at times. So I feel backed into a corner of “Darned if you don’t and Darned if you do…”

 

[OKFC05]

In OK, 10 people had their CHL revoked in 2010 for failing to notify the officer on a traffic stop, as required by state law.

 

[NFrameFred]

West Virginia - JohhnieB has already answered the question, but based on our state alone, as an NRA instructor I advise people to not mention it when pulled over unless asked, or unless one is asked to step from the vehicle. Most of the time it's simply not an issue.

Many times when writing up an accident or a citation I have seen the WV State Police ask the participants to have a seat in the patrol car; I, for one, would certainly not want it to be at that point that the trooper found out I had a concealed weapon, even though legally carried.

Naturally, I also inform students that if they carry into a reciprocating state that recognizes/honors their WV permit, they are subject to the laws, regulations, and practices of the host state.

 

[sar4937]

In Nebraska you are required to inform the LEO's before you hand over your license. If you don't you may be in for a "ride downtown".

 

[Afrancis]

Thanks for the info about WV you two.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

In MA, I don't think that they know unless they specifically consult the DB that will tell them. I don't think that it's a big concern around here, and perhaps shouldn't be anywhere, because the folks that have permits aren't the problem. Over a period of forty years or so, I have sat in the front of a police car two or three times, all involving driving an automobile. I was armed on one or two of those occasions, and it really didn't seem to be a matter of concern to anybody.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I think the reason this thread rattles me so much is that if you go ahead and pay off the state, prove that you are a legal and law abiding citizen, and chose to utilize your second amendment right… Guess what, you can be legally shafted for it still. So even from the LEO stand point is sounds like IMHO there should be nothing to fear from CCW permit holders. It should make them smile and be proud that a fellow human being is choosing to protect themselves. But instead we run the risk of running the innocent until proven guilty route simply because we are flagged in a system. I had no idea so many states already had the power to round you up simply for not telling the officer that his state has already been paid, and you have already been cleared to carry this firearm. This screams that this should be moved from the Lounge to the Second Amendment forum. I find this whole issue very troubling.

 

[bk43]

Because the one and only person that I have met handed the FHP both his driver's license and his CCW permit and was asked to please step out of the car, put your hands on the roof....

Hate to hear about this as I'm sure you did. The vast majority of FHP officers just want to do their jobs for the people and then go home safely to their families. It's the ones like this that make it tough for the others. Guess we each have to handle this situation as we see fit and hope all turns out well.

Bob

 

[LHS]

In Ohio, it also pops up when your driver's license is run.

In CCW class they also tell you (well, I was told) to roll down the window, keep your hands on the steering wheel top, and turn on an inside light if dark outside. Chances are very high they have already ran your plates before exiting the patrol car and know what to expect.
I have told my wife this if she is driving my car, but then again, she will not drive over the speedlimit, and ALWAYS slows down to stop for a yellow light.

My thoughts are this: LEOs have enough things to worry about when approaching a car, make it easy to see you are not a threat - even when not carrying.

 

[sigp220.45]

Hold on a second while I don my flame suit......

OK, here goes. Having a concealed weapons permit does not mean you are a good guy or are particularly law-abiding. In a "shall issue" state it means you don't have any felony convictions, you may have taken a quickie CCW course, and you paid a fee.

I worked a Hell's Angel "fun run" in Montana a while back. Quite a few of those boys obligingly handed over concealed weapons permits when stopped. Non-felons legally carrying? Yes. Good guys? No.

I know it doesn't apply to the fine folks here, but there are dirtbags with permits out there. The cops just want to have all the information that is legally available to them when they make their approach to the vehicle.

 

[Firearmsrookie]

Sig,
Let me hide behind you as I don't have a fame suit...

Whether we are in the right or not about informing a LEO about being a CCW holder, I believe it is only courteous behavior to let them know if you are carrying or not. I know and work with lots of them and most are really good people who I am happy to be courteous to. Their jobs are hard and dangerous enough without me adding to it.

 

[scooter123]

Sig,
Let me hide behind you as I don't have a fame suit...

Whether we are in the right or not about informing a LEO about being a CCW holder, I believe it is only courteous behavior to let them know if you are carrying or not. I know and work with lots of them and most are really good people who I am happy to be courteous to. Their jobs are hard and dangerous enough without me adding to it.

I'm another who believes that notification is simple courtesy. Since it's also the Law in Michigan it's also a requirement. BTW, Michigan not only links the CPL to the drivers license it's also linked to car registrationss. So, if you have a CPL and you're driving a car registered in your name that Police Officer will know about your permit as soon as he runs your tags.

As for shady characters with permits in Shall Issue state, Michigan has a rather long list of relatively minor offenses that will exclude someone from qualifying for a permit. Even a ticket for Reckless Driving is enough to get you excluded for 3 years and almost any infraction that indicates irresponsible behavior of any type can get you excluded for anywhere from 3 years to much longer.

 

[jrm53]

I just got off the phone with a friend who had just did the shooting and the school for the Arkansas concealed carry and I told him I didnt think they were connected, he said the officer that did the training told his class that if stopped to include the CCL along with the drivers license and proof of insurance as it might save a problem with the officer. I have the 74th license issued in Ar and the first class was not informed, has probably been modified since it was passed. Jeff