Official Police contact- What do you say?

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Rastoff

Rastoff

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I've been thinking about this subject a lot. CA is a "No Declare" state. So, if you have a concealed gun with you, there is no law requiring that you notify a policeman should you come in contact. However, some issuing authorities require immediate notification. It is legal for them to put this restriction on your license. Also, I've spoken with several policemen and highway patrolmen about this. To a man, they all prefer that you tell them up front so it's not a surprise.

Herein lies the problem. How do you tell them? If you haven't seen one, just go on youtube and look for videos of police reactions to discovering a legally concealed gun. They range from polite questions to full on freak outs. Polite questions we like, freak outs...not so much.


So, here is what I recommend...
You're pulled over in your car or stopped on the street for official police business:

  • Policeman: Do you know why I stopped you?
  • Gun Owner: I'm not sure, but I'd like to inform you that I have a concealed carry license and have it with me.
  • Policeman: Oh, OK, please tell me where it is?
  • Gun Owner: (without moving) It's on my right hip.
  • Policeman: Alright, just leave it there and don't make any sudden moves. May I see your license and registration please?
  • Gun Owner: (still not moving) My license is in my right rear pocket and my registration is in the glove box. Would you like me to get them now?
  • Policeman: Yes, just move slowly.

And it goes on from there.

Obviously the conversation can have any number of variations. The point here is to notify as soon as possible and don't use the words gun, firearm, gat, blaster or anything else that could be inflammatory. By saying, "I have a concealed carry license and I have it with me" he should be able to infer you have a gun without you having to use the specific word. If he asks what "it" is, just tell him. If you have to pick a word, I prefer firearm as it is not as inflammatory.

Anyway, these are my thoughts. What do you think? Right? Wrong? Have a different methodology?
 
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I actually even went to the extent of asking him if I could roll the passenger side window down so he could get it out of my glovebox. I think he appreciated it, at least he took me up on the offer. Obviously it wasn't on me and I didn't need a permit, even though I had one. I just figure that if I were them I would want me to say something. I am willing to deal with the consequences.
 
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Mass is also a No Declare state and I have also been thinking about this scenario. My first impression is that since I've never been asked to step out of my car in my life, that I would be silent on the issue. But there have been situations where a pair of officers were involved in the stop with one on the driver side and one checking in on the passenger side. On the off chance that the passenger side LEO caught sight of the firearm as I was getting my wallet out of my right rear pocket, it would be VERY SMART to say something first, or to carry my wallet in the offside pocket I guess.
Good thing to consider in any case.
 
Pennsylvania is a no declare state, my standard motto is "Don't ask, Don't tell"!
The last time I was stopped was for a PSP fishing expedition for DUI's around the holidays. T he troopers reasoning for stopping me was for the reason that I didn't use my turn signal for a lane change, the only car that would have been effected was about 4 blocks behind me? There was nobody to signal but that is why he stopped me.
All the while he's talking to me he's shinning his flashlight around the inside my truck. Ask me a lot of yes / no questions about drinking, Do you drink...No Were you drinking.... No stuff like that, I was coming home from work and had just stopped for gas and had picked up a coffee. He had seen me drinking that, I politely ask him if he wanted to check it and he declined. His last question ask was do you have anything illegal in here and I answered no! All the while my 36 lay holstered under my seat! didn't say a word about it and there was nothing illegal onboard!
I'll stick with my Don't ask, Don't tell motto! ;)
 
When I get stopped I hand them everything with the permit on top of the driver license, registration and proof of insurance. Courteous and respectful. Never have a problem and never get a ticket. Colorado you not have to inform. I never say "gun".

Watch the Chris Rock video.
 
I've been stopped for speeding a couple times and went through several "safety" checkpoints (looking for drunks) while carrying. They've never asked. I've had no reason to declare that I was carrying. Always be polite. Turn on the dome light at night. Hands on wheel. etc. If for some reason I was being frisked, I would mention it before it was discovered. I can't imagine ever being suspected of an offense that would warrant a frisk, though.
 
If I'm not required I say nothing. Telling a cop you're armed is a **** shoot, sometimes the cop doesn't care sometimes you get an earful of GLOCK and once you open your mouth you can't go back.

If I'm asked or otherwise required to inform I say nothing and simply hand them my permit
 
It's been about 45 years since I was last stopped, but in the event that ever happens I will follow Massad Ayoob's advice to a "T".

My wife was stopped about 4 years ago and advised him she was a CCW holder (not required in AZ) after getting her license and CCW permit out of her purse. He yelled at her and told her as soon as he approached the car she should have told him and then let him go through her purse to find her license and weapon. He then proceeded to run all the numbers and returned with the gun, the empty mag and the 9 rounds of 9mm in a plastic bag which he placed in the trunk. He told he not to reload the gun until she got home.

When she told me what happened I called the Chief who happened to be a friend of mine. He had my wife tell him the story and then he apologized and said he was a new Officer from California and obviously needed some brushing up on the laws in AZ.

What she learned from the incident was that if it isn't required that she disclose that she has a weapon, the next time she will just keep her mouth shut. The guy didn't make any points with her.
 
The responses in that sample dialog are close to what I'd say to a LEO if I had to disclose. Thankfully, in PA there is no such requirement. I wouldn't disclose in any state that doesn't require it by law unless 1) I knew a search of my person was imminent and 2) it could mean the difference between a calm encounter or the officer screaming and pointing his firearm at me.
 
In Illinois you don't have to tell unless asked. But I would recommend you telling the LEO after he has approached your vehicle because the first thing out of his mouth will be "Are there any weapons in the vehicle " ! My nephew a local city LEO said in his training they were taught to ask that the first questions, the second being where is it located.

The County Sheriff I took the Illinois CC class from told everyone most LEO's would rather you did announce before being asked. He said those being up front with him that they were armed worried him less then those who for their own reasons wait to be asked .. and stated that could be the determining factor whether he wrote a ticket or not .
 
The CCW instructor here in Tx told us we are required to present our CCW license along with drivers license and insurance. When I was stopped awhile back by a Tx trooper I presented all to him and he told me that the CCW permit was not required unless the firearm was on my person--not just in the vehicle. I think it's still a good idea to present all to avoid any problems.
 
I'm a retired LEO from an SO that borders Edwards AFB & worked the area of the North & West Gates from the mid 80's until the early 90's. I always appreciated it when a CCW permit holder or off-duty LEO would let me know there was a firearm on their person or in the vehicle during speed enforcement stops or pedestrian contacts.

That said, I still nearly 15 years after retirement, ID myself and keep my hands at 10 & 2 on the wheel until instructed otherwise. FWIW, I have only been stopped once since I retired, but have been involved in 2 minor MVAs,with no problems from LEOs.

Edited to add: I can't recall ever taking possession of a firearm from a CCW Permit Holder during a contact, took plenty from bad guys though ..... ;o)
 
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All this "Shall Issue" stuff happened after I retired but if I were still on the job I'd prefer to know up front. There's too much danger in accidently exposing the weapon when innocently reaching for paperwork, and things could get ugly quickly. Remember the kind of environment cops are operating in now and do them the courtesy of declaring. If the officer over reacts then file a formal complaint with the agency. It may be a training issue or the agency may be dealing with an officer they need to get rid of. No cop, active or retired, wants bad cops out there.
 
zzclancy said:
When I get stopped I hand them everything with the permit on top of the driver license, registration and proof of insurance. Courteous and respectful. Never have a problem and never get a ticket. Colorado you not have to inform. I never say "gun".

Watch the Chris Rock video.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's titles "How not to get your *** kicked by the police". Hilarious AND true!
 
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