Identifying yourself as CCW to Officers ...

[BudMan5]

I am a retired Chief in a State where there was no concealed carry when I was still an LEO. I have worked in suburbs, rural towns (where i retired) and for eight years I was working a felony interdiction team on Chicago's west side.

Almost all of my experience is in patrol or patrol supervision.

So, here's my two cents and really, all it is is just another opinion.

I carry all the time now and I can carry in every State because of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) which is Federal law. I just mention that because I have been in situations where I have identified myself, required or not, as a CCW permit licensee in many States besides my own.

From my perspective as both a cop and now as an unsworn citizen, I will always identify myself whether it is required or not. Almost every single cop in the country will react positively when you do that. And no, it's not because of LEOSA, because my son does the same thing (he's never been a cop) and he gets the same reaction from cops.

I also suggest that if you're not sure of what the individual State law says, tell the officer that, "Officer, I am not sure what my requirement is but i have a concealed weapons permit and I am armed right now. My pistol is on my right hip in an IWB holster and my permit is in my wallet in my right rear pocket".

If you're in your vehicle, have your wallet out with your driver's license and CCP in your hand when the Officer approaches and both hands at the top of the steering wheel. At night I always turn on my dome light immediately and roll down my window,

I guarantee you, that 99 out of 100 times you will get a positive reaction from the cop. The other time is a cop that is probably a full time ****** anyways but you'll still be covered legally.

Most cops are mostly interested in being able to go home at the end of the shift and anything you can do to give him/her a warm and fuzzy feeling will go a long way to make him feel like that is going to happen.

 

[Smoke]

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.

Where I come from they call that an ethics violation

 

[hawkeye17]

well said Bud Man5

 

[307-Niner]

In Wyoming we are not required to inform an officer that we are carrying.

Here is the state statute

Wyoming Statutes

Wingmaster

Wingmaster, thank you for pointing that out. I lived in Alaska for 23 years before moving here a year and a half ago. Both states have very similar laws, and I remembered Wyoming law incorrectly.

Since I'm in Montana somewhat frequently, I suppose I should look at their laws as well. I know permits are required there, and you are allowed to carry in a vehicle, but unsure about notifying an officer (which I do anyways as a habit).

 

[ljnowell]

I've only had a few interactions since I started carrying.

One was when a LEO was helping me and my wife load a table in my truck(he was riding past and saw us struggling do he stopped to help-love small town life). He saw my gun when my shirt rode up and basically said "cool a jframe, I carry one as a BUG and showed me the grips as he pulled it slightly out of his pocket.

The second was an accident I witnessed in front of my house. I was sitting in the cop car talking to the cop and filling out my statement when it came up and told him I was carrying. He was more surprised than anything, moreso when I told him it was a full size 1911 as he hadn't noticed it at all.

Even though we aren't required to inform unless directly asked I don't have an issue telling an LEO if I ever get pulled over again.


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[Brian41]

As stated in Michigan we're required to inform and except for a casual hello in passing I would inform an officer for any contact.
My house alarm went off once and I met the officer at my house soon after he'd checked out the exterior. I identified myself and informed him I had a permit but wasn't carrying at the time. He seemed to appreciate that and asked if it was because my employer didn't allow it which was correct. I wasn't required to inform him since I wasn't carrying but expect he knew I had a permit and informing him didn't hurt.
My cousin forgot to inform on a traffic stop once here in Michigan. Running his plate the officer asked and cousin told him he forgot. He got roughed and cuffed and bent over the rear of the car and vehicle searched. Lost his permit for six months because of it. That's something I wish to avoid and will always inform.
I was with same cousin in Colorado when he got pulled over by state trooper for a bad tail light. He did inform officer he was carrying and officer told him he didn't care, just don't shoot me with it. I was a little surprised with the trooper's casual attitude.

 

[rwsmith]

If it's at all official.....

I have no problem telling police that I've got a gun.

 

[Ranger17]

I'll have my permit soon though wont yet be carrying. But i'd plan to at minimum hand my card over at the same time with my DL if I ever were to be stopped should I have my handgun in the car (even if cased in the trunk). With everything going on recently with certain groups against LEO I just feel it would be the right thing to do regardless of laws within a given state.
Only my .02 of course.

 

[BearBio]

I was pulled over for speeding. I was in a National Forest/ Indian Res area=large uninhabited. I passed (a little too aggressively) an out-of-stater in slightly snowy conditions who was going about 1/2 the speed limit (he was the third, all from Oregon, as we were about 20-30 miles North of the River). The WaSP was going the other way. I saw him turn around, so I pulled over, rolled down the window, and put my hands on the wheel. When he came up, I admitted I was speeding, told him I was carrying and asked him how did he want to proceed. He merely asked where my firearm was, what was I carrying. I told him it was a 1911 in a kidney position and my wallet was on my right hip. He said "OK". Wrote me up and, when he had me signed, thanked me for telling him and said "I don't blame you for carrying-we're kinda out in the sticks".

Take home: I've inter-related three times, each time I have told the LE and twice, I was thanked for doing so. One had me place my pistol on the hood while we talked but he let me go without a ticket.

 

[John R]

As stated in Michigan we're required to inform and except for a casual hello in passing I would inform an officer for any contact.
My house alarm went off once and I met the officer at my house soon after he'd checked out the exterior. I identified myself and informed him I had a permit but wasn't carrying at the time. He seemed to appreciate that and asked if it was because my employer didn't allow it which was correct. I wasn't required to inform him since I wasn't carrying but expect he knew I had a permit and informing him didn't hurt.
My cousin forgot to inform on a traffic stop once here in Michigan. Running his plate the officer asked and cousin told him he forgot. He got roughed and cuffed and bent over the rear of the car and vehicle searched. Lost his permit for six months because of it. That's something I wish to avoid and will always inform.
I was with same cousin in Colorado when he got pulled over by state trooper for a bad tail light. He did inform officer he was carrying and officer told him he didn't care, just don't shoot me with it. I was a little surprised with the trooper's casual attitude.

Cop sounds like an idiot, people do forget to inform on traffic stops, it's not the end of the world.
I know what the law says, but I try to use a little common sense in the matter.

 

[islamoradamark]

i live in florida dont have to tell , but i was reporting a theft on my construction sight. and talking with the officer i gave him my DL, CCP and he asked where is it i said in my pocket. He said ok what else got stolen nice man

 

[Ogandydancer]

My state (N.C.) requires you notify but, I am also one who believes that always informing required or not is the way to go.

 

[5wheelin']

You weren't stopped for anything, you were being helpful. I don't see the need. I don't know Ohio laws though. I'm from PA so my rule of thumb is don't bring it up unless there's a need to.

 

[sheepdawg]

A golfing buddy of mine is an inspector with the Bartlett, Tennessee Police Department. He told me that they know whether you have a License to Carry before they ever get out of their car. They take that into consideration as well as your previous history as they approach the vehicle. You don't have to tell them but it never hurts to.

 

[hangnoose]

A TIME TO TTELL OR NOT.

Just flash them your CCL holders badge, LOL. As mentioned in a situation like a traffic stop they will know before getting to your car anyway, if it is a law to inform in your area then tell them, if not and if they want to know they will ask, but keep your hands in plain sight and don't make any sudden moves. If they ask you to get out of the vehicle, tell them. If going across the street to talk to cops already on the scene, I say leave it at home, and keep the conversation to "just the facts Maam". I wouldn't want to come off as a wannabe or apple polisher, with gee whiz I have a ccl and am armed too. To me concealed means concealed, TOO many people can't wait to tell anyone who will listen that they are armed. If the situation warrants it, and you feel the leo would feel safer/more comfortable knowing then tell him. If I were a Leo I wouldn't want an armed individual ccl or not standing behind me. I think you being there armed would just make their job more difficult.