You're better off researching the relevant statute for yourself than taking an instructor's word for it.
Identifying yourself as CCW to Officers ...
- Thread starter Pierre330
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You're better off researching the relevant statute for yourself than taking an instructor's word for it.
ChattanoogaPhil
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No duty to notify here in Tenn.
The only time I will offer anything is when it's likely the officer already knows I'm licensed to carry. In Tennessee our DL and carry permit are tied together. If I'm pulled over I figure the officer probably knows the registered owner has a carry permit. I won't say I'm carrying, but I will hand my carry permit and DL over at the same time. Only happened once so far. I didn't say anything about a gun nor did the officer. End of story.
The only time I will offer anything is when it's likely the officer already knows I'm licensed to carry. In Tennessee our DL and carry permit are tied together. If I'm pulled over I figure the officer probably knows the registered owner has a carry permit. I won't say I'm carrying, but I will hand my carry permit and DL over at the same time. Only happened once so far. I didn't say anything about a gun nor did the officer. End of story.
You better review the law in Michigan, you are required to inform.
If your not carrying at the time, no need to mention it.
Just me thinking but first, you (not your CCW instructor, not some cop who gave you his opinion during your class and not some random person on the internet) are responsible to know your state’s laws. Look them up and read them for yourself and abide by them.
Second if it’s a gray area I’d err on the side of caution. In Ohio you are required to notify in an official interaction. (To me that’s any time he’s conducting police business) If you aren’t sure it’s not it is.
Second if it’s a gray area I’d err on the side of caution. In Ohio you are required to notify in an official interaction. (To me that’s any time he’s conducting police business) If you aren’t sure it’s not it is.
As best I can tell from my limited interactions with police, this is about how it works down South, and probably in the West. I have been inside police cars a few times while the officer was getting info for a ticket or otherwise, and I have never been asked about a gun, but I'll bet that all or most of those gents knew quite well how they would proceed if I or anyone else started down the short road of an armed assault. In the South, particularly, but probably in most places, I think that there is a tendency to treat folks respectfully until given a reason to do otherwise.
Given Wyoming doesn't require a permit to carry how does that work?
It's true that a permit is not required in Wyoming. Informing an officer is not required, but it was in Alaska and I have formed a habit of notifying the officer.
My wife & I have our permits because we travel to Montana for various needs, and they do require permits, and honor Wyoming's permit. As do several other states.
Now we need 50 state reciprocity...
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Sip, you slay me...
Sadly, SOME officers tend to treat CCW holders as a potential threat or worse. So if I could have, I would have locked my weapon in the trunk of my car, or returned it to my residence. Then there would have been no need to inform. If I had a weapon on my person I would have informed.
When I took the concealed carry class here in Arkansas I was instructed by the State Trooper running the class that we should notify and officer if we were carrying when stopped. One reason was that when he takes your drivers license back to his patrol car and runs it your carry permit will show up on his computer screen. He said that rather then that be a surprise they would be less stressed if you had told them when you handed them your license and stated whether you were carrying.
The South is a lot different than other areas of the USA as pretty much everyone carries so it's not rare when the police stops someone who is carrying.
The South is a lot different than other areas of the USA as pretty much everyone carries so it's not rare when the police stops someone who is carrying.
Protected One
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If your cpl instructor told you that you are NOT required to inform police of your cpl during a stop...he is wrong!
I strongly suggest YOU read the law, as provided on that cd the state gives to each license holder.
You might also want to "inform your instructor of his error", lest he continued to misinform others!
Protected One
Member
I'd suggest leaving common sense out of it, and learning what the law in your state says!!! That will serve you a lot better than common sense if you're stopped by the police while carrying.
Recently I called the local cops to help me check a neighbor's house, at his request, while he was away. The officer knew I was a retired LEO from a previous contact and he may have assumed I was carrying, but it never came up. I did stay in the background, allowing the officer to take the lead and call all the shots.
Everything checked out okay, but I never bothered to mention I was armed. It was prudent, IMHO, to remain armed just in case the young officer needed immediate assistance.
Everything checked out okay, but I never bothered to mention I was armed. It was prudent, IMHO, to remain armed just in case the young officer needed immediate assistance.
85V65Sabre
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OK OK, I now know that I was miss informed!!!
I just reviewed the law at the Michigan state police web site.
http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1591_3503_4654-10941--,00.html
1. An individual licensed to carry a concealed pistol who is stopped by a police officer (traffic stop or otherwise) while in possession of a pistol shall immediately disclose to the police officer that he or she is carrying a concealed pistol either on their person or in their motor vehicle.
3. Upon request, an individual licensed to carry a concealed pistol shall show both of the following to a police officer:
His or her license to carry a concealed pistol His or her driver license or personal identification card
But as I said. I WOULD inform the LEO.
In this world a man must either be anvil or hammer.
I just reviewed the law at the Michigan state police web site.
http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1591_3503_4654-10941--,00.html
1. An individual licensed to carry a concealed pistol who is stopped by a police officer (traffic stop or otherwise) while in possession of a pistol shall immediately disclose to the police officer that he or she is carrying a concealed pistol either on their person or in their motor vehicle.
3. Upon request, an individual licensed to carry a concealed pistol shall show both of the following to a police officer:
His or her license to carry a concealed pistol His or her driver license or personal identification card
But as I said. I WOULD inform the LEO.
In this world a man must either be anvil or hammer.
In Florida the is no law that you must inform a police officer at a traffic stop. Also people do not need a CCP to carry a gun in their glove box or console. Even in Florida it is best to try and use good judgement for the situation you are involved in to decide if you should inform the officer. Such as having your registration and a gun in the glove box. I would tell the officer and give him the choice of retrieving the registration.
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Protected One
Member
Don't feel bad. The instructor for my class said that we could carry in theatres as long as they didn't seat 2500 or more. When questioned by a fellow classmate if that referred to an "individual theatre" within a complex, or the complex as a whole....he said it applied to individual theatres! Wrong. Something about his answer didn't sit well with me as I have NEVER been in a movie theatre that seated anything near 2500 people! I later checked with the State Police who told me it applied to individual theatres.
This is why it's important to learn the law for ourselves. We cannot use what the "instructor" told us as our defense if we violate a law.
Just an fyi: That part in parenthesis was added by the state police as part of their "Proper conduct during a stop", BUT, it is NOT a part of the STATE LAW!
The law applies to TRAFFIC STOPS ONLY...though that doesn't mean it wouldn't be a good idea in other situations too.
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gordon21
Member
My son in law is a LEO. Whenever I visit him the next state away, I am surrounded by LEO's both on and off duty. My wife and I also used to live next door to a couple who were both Florida Highway Patrol officers.
I can assure you that if you voluntarily notify ANY LEO during any type of interaction, it will be appreciated. It might not be mandatory in your state, but it doesn't cost anything and immediately lets the LEO know you are an honest citizen with high standards. That knowledge alone can get you out of some possible traffic tickets or ease a situation.
Especially with the recent anti-LEO atmosphere in certain areas of the country, letting a LEO know your status is a good and prudent thing.
P.S. If you have never been bar hopping with an off duty LEO and some other people, you have missed a great night. Special service, extra attention and usually heavily discounted food/drinks. Most independent restaurant/bar owners will discount food/drinks 25-80% for the whole party.
I can assure you that if you voluntarily notify ANY LEO during any type of interaction, it will be appreciated. It might not be mandatory in your state, but it doesn't cost anything and immediately lets the LEO know you are an honest citizen with high standards. That knowledge alone can get you out of some possible traffic tickets or ease a situation.
Especially with the recent anti-LEO atmosphere in certain areas of the country, letting a LEO know your status is a good and prudent thing.
P.S. If you have never been bar hopping with an off duty LEO and some other people, you have missed a great night. Special service, extra attention and usually heavily discounted food/drinks. Most independent restaurant/bar owners will discount food/drinks 25-80% for the whole party.
Jaysq
US Veteran
In North Carolina the law says, "If approached by a law enforcement officer while carrying a concealed handgun, the permittee must disclose to the officer that he or she is carrying a handgun."
It doesn't say anything about being in an official capacity. This is why it is important to know the law in the state you are carrying.
A few months ago my wife and I were eating at a local restaurant when a deputy, who was running for sheriff at the time, came over to talk to us. I informed him that I was carrying a concealed handgun and he replied, "Me too"
It doesn't say anything about being in an official capacity. This is why it is important to know the law in the state you are carrying.
A few months ago my wife and I were eating at a local restaurant when a deputy, who was running for sheriff at the time, came over to talk to us. I informed him that I was carrying a concealed handgun and he replied, "Me too"
Wingmaster
Member
In Wyoming we are not required to inform an officer that we are carrying.
Here is the state statute
Wyoming Statutes
Wingmaster
Cal44
Member
You wouldn't want to do that in San Francisco. They have an ordinance banning excess trans-fats in foods.
You might get busted for carrying a concealed donut.
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