Have you ever been pulled over by the police while carrying?

[Slingn]

Just wondering how it went.

I was stopped in Louisiana by the state police. Handed him my DL and Texas LTC. He asked if I had a weapon and where it was. It happened to be in my bag on the passenger seat. He took it, wrote me a ticket and gave me the ticket and gun back. No issues. Is this because I'm a middle aged white man, or because I was polite and cooperative?

I admit, after the shooting in Minn. I wonder.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

I have been carrying legally in S.C. since 1976. In 40 years since, I have been stopped at least 6 times. Reactions varied. I always told the officer I was armed legally and had ID. Some stories funny, some pitiful. In the end never a ticket.

 

[Okie21]

I was pulled over a couple months ago while carrying. I'm Puerto Rican. The trooper was white. I told him I had a carry permit and I'm carrying. He asked where the gun was. I told him and he asked me not to reach for it. I laughed and said ok. He didn't seem too worried about it. I absolutely did not feel worried for my own safety. He pulled me over for 70 in a 55, wrote me up for 60 in a 55. That was it. Pretty non eventful.

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[old&slow]

I was pulled over once by a Highway Patrolman. I handed him my drivers license and carry permit. No problem ,, didn't even act like he was concerned or cared.

A buddy was pulled over by a sheriff deputy, the first year carry in Ohio became legal. And he spent the next half hour bent over the trunk of the car.
( afterwards it was a really funny story )

Both of us are older white guys.. The highway partrolman was middle age white officer. The sheriff deputy was a younger black officer.

I pretty much think its the individual officer,, the day he is having,, how you handle yourself ,, etc. etc.
I figure when the officer walks up to your car , he doesn't know if you are the nicest guy in the world ,, or a serial killer.. I can see why he might be a little on edge..

 

[Shark Bait]

I think your experience is normal for most places. Officers appreciate you letting them know there's a weapon and where it is. Some prefer to take it until they are done and return it, usually unloaded. Full cooperation is the key. Arguing is never a good idea. Save that for the courtroom, if necessary.

 

[Warren Sear]

Just wondering how it went.

I was stopped in Louisiana by the state police. Handed him my DL and Texas LTC. He asked if I had a weapon and where it was. It happened to be in my bag on the passenger seat. He took it, wrote me a ticket and gave me the ticket and gun back. No issues. Is this because I'm a middle aged white man, or because I was polite and cooperative?

I admit, after the shooting in Minn. I wonder.

What do you wonder about? We do not have any evidence yet as to what happened. All we have is a lot of talk from a big-mouthed woman with an ajenda.

I live in MN and have been pulled over three times while carrying. Got a well-deserved speeding ticket once, nothing the next time (stopped for a non-working tail light) or the last time. Yawn...

 

[Louchia]

Shark Bait, I agree with you on how to act. As you say some may take and return the firearm unloaded. That's the part that puzzles me. If the LEO unloads the gun, then you have to reload. Each of those steps increases the chance of something going wrong.
Not only that, what happens if the LEO drops the round as he is unloading and it goes down a sewer? Does he have to replace it? Do we call HASMAT to retrieve it?
Maybe that question is another thread.

 

[TTSH]

Have you ever been pulled over by the police while carrying?

I've been pulled over three times in the last 10 years, all of which were for highly dubious reasons (got one written warning and two complaints, both of which were dismissed by the clerk-magistrate). In all three cases I wasn't carrying, but the interesting part is that Massachusetts cops can see that I have an LTC and can even see a list of the guns I own on their cruiser computers. So the real question is: Why wasn't I ever asked if (or treated as if) I might have been carrying?

Apparently, I don't look like much of a threat to anyone anymore. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but it is what it is. I guess that comes with old age, gray hair, a pot belly and a cane or walker.

 

[Ed Fowler]

When I was a cop I always figured every person I was talking to for what ever reason was armed, all were treated the same. I believe this is the way it should be.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I have been stopped twice in 10yrs in Az . Both times I pulled over immediately , stopped and placed both hands on the steering wheel , did not move . I just sat there waiting for instruction from the officer .
First time was @ night , 2nd time before noon . Both times they were polite , asked if I was carrying and I replied yes . Told them where it was . They just said to leave it there and then asked for drivers license , reg and proof of ins. I handed them what they wanted and got off with just a warning , both times .
The key is " Don't be moving around while the officer is approaching the vehicle " . Sit perfectly still , don't be reaching for wallet , paper work etc . Keep with both hands in plain sight and await his instructions .
I watched a video , created scenario with Massad Ayoob acting as the officer explaining every detail of the stop as it progressed . His advice has worked for me .
I'm not talking about not getting a ticket . I'm referring to making the stop as comfortable and relaxed for the officer , and yourself as possible . In these days and times I feel that is #1 , most important .

 

[Slingn]

What do you wonder about? We do not have any evidence yet as to what happened. All we have is a lot of talk from a big-mouthed woman with an ajenda.

I live in MN and have been pulled over three times while carrying. Got a well-deserved speeding ticket once, nothing the next time (stopped for a non-working tail light) or the last time. Yawn...

I wonder because MSNBC told me I should!

 

[Ron M.]

Well, sort of...my wife and I (we were close to 60 years old at the time) were living in San Jose..we had just walked to the corner store, about 1/2 mile from our home. We walked back toward our house, she was "carrying" a Pepsi in her hand and I had a brown paper bag with an unopened beer in it..as we turned the corner, 30 feet from our home, Barney Fife (no insult to Barney) whipped around the corner in his police cruiser, screeched to a halt, got out, and proceeded to question (demand) what I had in my brown bag....I turned it upside down, nothing drained out of the unopened can, which I showed him. He was a short little squirt of a "man" with a big ego...my wife could have knocked the snot out of him..he left with a flourish of trumpets, so to speak. Sorry, no ticket. Shame it wasn't in my driveway when I would have opened it up...Jerk.

 

[KSDeputy]

I stopped a guy for speeding, years ago before there were carry permits. Back then if you wished to carry you went to the sheriff's office and asked for a special deputy commission. Back to the story when I walked up to the car he said I have a gun. He looked kinda familiar, so I asked him if he was a city police officer. He said yes. I told him to have a nice day, and he drove off. I went back to my business.

 

[dubshooter]

I have pulled 4 people over just since the MN shootings that were armed. In AZ, it's a very common thing. Only one person did I remove the gun, and that's because it was in the center console with his wallet. I had him step out, I removed the gun from the console, put it on back seat. He sgt back down, have me his info.

My common line that usually gets a smile is someone will tell me they have a firearm. I ask where it is. They answer. I tell them "if you don't reach for yours, I won't reach for mine".

The only time I like to disarm is when I believe there might be something more than just a simple civil violation like speeding or registration. If I think they're impaired, have reason to believe they may have a warrant or a suspended license. Or any indication there may be illegal activity happening in the vehicle. Like I said. Usually. It all depends on the persons attitude. I don't like angry people to have a gun when I come back with the ticket.

Some officers like to disarm everyone during their contacts. That's their right lawfully and I won't judge them just like I would like them not to judge me. It's all on what makes everyone feel more comfortable. A nervous officer is not a good thing.

But my opinion, the less handling of a firearm the better. I am a gun guy, I like guns. But I'm not an expert on every gun and every holster. Less handling means less opportunity for a negligent discharge or for something to happen like MN where someone thinks they'll be nice and place the gun on the dash of the car while I'm walking up and things get misconstrued.

Best way to sum it all up? Communication. Clear, simple communication. And if you don't understand what the cop wants you to do, ask BEFORE moving.

 

[Arik]

Yes, twice. Once in a school too. Nothing happened. Both times officers were nice, asked me to keep my hands in sight.

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[7shooter]

I have not been stopped here in Mn since the 70s I was speeding and was driving a 76 Triumph Spitfire ( still have it ).

In MN we are not required to tell the officer if we have a gun and that we have a permit. Until the situation in Falcon Heights my plan was when my DL was asked for I would hand him both my DL and my permit. Now I am only going to hand him what he asked for and not my permit or the fact that I am carrying unless he asks me.

Better safe than sorry although being an old white guy I would probably be OK either way. I also,have not been stopped 52 times like the deceased was.

 

[Ranger514]

I haven't been stopped since I retired, but I second the good information and advice given by other officers on the forum. Be polite and respectful. If you have passengers, advise them to act in the same manner. One last thing: turn off the stereo and shut down your engine if you have a loud vehicle. Anything you can do to promote good communication is going to be to your advantage in easing any tension or officer anxiety.

 

[CS45Fan]

Got caught in a speed trap several years back (yes I was guilty of speeding because I was late for work at a new job). Had a pocket pistol in the console. Took my citation, we told each other to have a nice day and I went on my merry way ($150 poorer). Never mentioned I was carrying cause I was never asked.I do believe in PA I am not required to produce my CCW to a LEO unless requested to.

The ironic part was - I still made it on time for work that day despite getting stopped. go figure.

 

[DocB]

Yes, and like an idiot, I told the officer that I had a gun in the car. . .just trying to be nice or a good citizen or whatever. He asked to hold the gun and my permit. Called my probate judge to verify the permit and then gave back the gun and permit. Never voluntarily tell an officer that you have a gun in your car. It's none of his business and might just create a situation like the one last week. You can never be sure that the LEO is one of good ones (as in 99% of all LEO's) or an idiot full of fear who's going to start shooting into your vehicle. It's the same in every profession. Mine are higher education and the church. Only difference is that we have around 30% fools in my chosen fields.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Based on my experience I believe you should tell the officer. Being up front and honest is the best way to start. And since there are more good officers than bad, I'm not the least bit worried about it.

During the first minute or two of the stop the officer is sizing you up. He can tell by the look in your eyes or your demeanor if you have something to hide. You dictate how the rest of the stop will go.

Been pulled over four times in the last 30 or so years. Each time I notified the officer that I was legally armed. Each time the officer thanked me and let me go with a warning. One saved me from an $800 ticket.

Officers are no different than we are. They want to go home to their family at the end of the day. If I can make that easier for them then so be it.