Identifying yourself as CCW to Officers ...

Pierre330

Pierre330

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If I am dealing with a police officer as a witness to certain events do I have to, or should I, ID myself as a CCW holder and as carrying a weapon at the time? This happened to me earlier this evening and I wasn't sure how to handle the situation. Basically there was a break in around the corner and I witnessed the people who were the likely perps making their "getaway".

I know in Ohio if "stopped for law enforcement purposes" (phrasing from AG guide to CCW) it law to ID yourself. My confusion is the interpretation of that phrase. In my case I wasn't "stopped" but I was dealing withe them for law enforcement purposes.

Just curious as to everyone's opinons/take on this?
 
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In this situation, since neither the weapon nor you were involved in the incident, I don't think you were obligated to say anything about your CCW status. I suppose if you were directly questioned about it you should answer truthfully, but it didn't come to that.
 
Depends on the law.are you just BS' ing with the cop or is he talking to you in some sort of an official capacity? In PA there is no law requiring me to inform the police. If there was, I would
 
My CCW instructor said that in CA you needed to inform when you interacted with the LEO in his official capacity.

When he is taking a statement from a witness he is working in his official capacity so I would inform him if carrying.

If I witnessed something and had a chance to take the gun off and put it into the car or my house before the police arrived, I would do so. I'd still tell the officer I had a CCW license, but then I wouldn't be carrying and it would just lessen a stressful situation.

On the other hand, a casual contact with an LEO doesn't require you to inform him.

Sometimes when I walk to Peet's Coffee early in the morning I say good morning to a neighbor who is a local PD officer. I don't say "Good morning, I'm carrying a gun".
 
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You need to know your state law, of course. Apart from that, it's a judgment call. If the interaction with the officers is going to be extended and there is a reasonable chance your gun may be noticed, it is prudent to advise them that you are licensed and carrying (preferably in that order). I've been in that situation twice, both involving car accidents, one I was part of and one I was a witness to, and in both cases when the interviewing officer got around to me and started by asking for ID, I handed him both DL and CCW and remarked "Just to avoid misunderstandings, I am carrying a gun". In both cases, he looked at the license, said "Thank you" and that was the end of it, and he proceeded to ask about the accident; in the case where my car was involved, I did get handed off to a sergeant, and the officer said something to him like "By the way, CCW, he's carrying", and the sergeant said "oh, okay" and that was it. Now this is Oregon, out here people including cops don't generally get very excited about someone carrying a gun; from what I understand, things might be a bit more tense further East.
 
If you are dealing with any LEO in an official capacity, you should let them know. 1, it lets them know you are a law abiding citizen without a rap sheet, 2, it puts them at ease before any one happens to notice a bulge in a jacket or something printing through your shirt, and lastly it avoids any problems with state laws. If it says you have to or it doesnt say in what exact situations, if you do anyway, you are covered. As a 17 year LEO, I would rather be told up front rather than 10 minutes into the conversation, or find out on my own by accident.

Same reasons if I have any dealings with other LEO's, I let them know right away who I am and I'm armed. Avoids tension and surprises...
 
Thanks for the responses!

I did more researching this morning and realize I should have advised the officers. Lesson learned - now I'm sure about next time! I don't live in the greatest neighborhood - so I'm sure there will be a next time as i don't shy away from reporting shady activity!
 
Hi I from Oh - io And the instructor said if officer initiated Tell him 1st thing If you initiated it not required [ casual contact] But any type of contact can change in a second so I use the thought that if I think that it will get past "Hi how you doing" I will inform the officer One traffic stop just after the house fire [I was being stupid] I yelled out the window as he got to the back of the car "CCW licensee and am carrying What are your instructions" His instructions were "don't touch it " BTW I have heard that OH -IO CCW licenses are directly linked to your drivers license and maybe to your car license plate. Aren't computers wonderful. So if they run your Dr. License they will know right then. So better safe [inform] that sorry GO BUCKS Beat the Ducks:):)
 
If the officer ID'ed you by asking for your DL. I would at the same time give the CHL. Do not care what the law says. Can't hurt a thing. He may say I don't need that are just thank you.
 
I certainly cannot speak for everyone, but, when I was on duty I always appreciated CCW's letting me know they were carrying whether it was legally required or not. I'm talking about contact in an official capacity. Casual "Hello's" and greetings? No. But anything calling for an extended conversation, in close or confined proximity, being informed was always welcome, at least by me.

Bob
 
You have already got some great advice. Here is my $.02.

My CPL instructor told us that here in Michigan when the LEO puts your DL into the computer the first thing that pops up is that you are a CPL holder.

We are required by law to notify the LEO that we are carrying a CP.

I agree with the OP, if you are talking to the LEO in a official capacity you should mention that you have a CPL and are carrying. So he doesn't have a OH **** moment if he catches a glimpse of your little friend.

Now, I personally would not use the word "gun".
If you say you have a CPL & your carrying, he's a smart guy and will under stand.

In this world a man must either be anvil or hammer.
 
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From the little bit of info I have about this scenario, and not having been in a similar situation, I think I would have let the officer know. I guess I'd want to give them a heads up in case I printed, or somehow they discovered I was carrying. I'd want the officer to feel safe talking to me and I wouldn't want a situation to get off the rails. Again, since I've never been in that situation, take it for what it's worth.
 
Here in Wyoming, if you are stopped for a traffic violation, the officer is notified that you have a Concealed Firearm Permit when he runs your vehicle license plates.

Anytime I have been approached by an officer on duty, I have been asked for my ID or driver license. I hand over my driver license & Permit together, and say "I'm exercising my rights today".

I have been thanked every time. I have never been asked to surrender my weapon, and it never got weird.

Except for this one time in Alaska. Officer got wide eyed & really jittery. I noticed him put his right hand on his duty weapon(it stayed holstered). I remember thinking "Oh ****", but he settled back down (a little bit) after asking me where my weapon was, and telling me to keep both hands on top of the steering wheel, and leave my weapon holstered. I had been speeding, he let me go with a warning.
 
This is just me, as AZ does not require one to tell police if you are carrying, only if asked directly. But if I were in a situation where I was standing close to a Cop and talking to him for any length of time I would tell him I was carrying, because he might notice it before I tell him and over react and take "defensive" actions against me. I am too old to be bounced along the pavement now a days. Besides, I think the Cop would appreciate it as a courtesy.
 
A few years ago when I took the CCW class required in Missouri the instructor was a local county deputy sheriff. He told us when ever he makes a traffic stop he assumed that you were armed. I should know the law about this but I don't. I would like to think common sense would prevail about how and when to inform an officer if you are carrying.
 
AirForceShooter said:
Just don't ever say "GUN"
Weapon, armed, carrying all ok.
LEO's tend to overreact at the word gun

AFS
Click to expand...

The word gun can raise their blood pressure...I'd tell them I am carrying a donut and ask if they want to see it...then when they see the gun it will be more of a simple disappointment than a stress inducer.
 
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