Pulled over - do you tell you're carrying?

[pcgunner]

In another thread BearBio brought up an interesting topic that I think merits discussion - specially for those of us new to carrying...

My first traffic stop, I put my hands on the steering wheel and, when he asked "Do you know why I stopped you?", I said: "I have a license to carry, and am carrying. How do YOU wish to proceed?"

So, do you bring it up or let it pass?

I'd make a poll, but last time I did I got too much **** for it.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance as always

 

[Hillbilly77]

I don't see any need to bring it up unless I was asked out of the vehicle for some reason.
That being said, I've never been asked to get out of the car for a traffic infraction.

 

[badge]

Personally, I always appreciated the courtesy of someone informing me but unless your so inclined and lawfully required, you do not have to proffer.

 

[pharmer]

Florida is a "non-notify" state. Your DL has a hologram and little pic (along with the info strip on the back) so they know. They will ask if they want to know anything further. Follow instructions carefully, have your hands visible (usually 10 and 2 o'clock on the wheel) and have your papers ready and in order (Don't reach for your wallet that's behind your weapon at 4 o'clock!). If you do this, 4 out of 5 times you drive away without "Green Stamps." Joe

 

[Huskerguy]

In Kansas when I took my CC class they told us we are not required to tell the office but it is a good idea to and I have had spoken to several HP persons who say the same thing. They like to know what they are up against which makes sense to me. Personally, I would tell the officer.

 

[hoc9sw]

Your local / state laws prevail. You need to stay current. If the law says you must, you must. If not, it is a courtesy to the officer that, at least in my experience, is appreciated.

 

[cmort666]

If, as in Ohio, it's REQUIRED BY LAW, notify.

Otherwise, keep it to yourself. Notification in EITHER case, except when disclosure is imminent serves no GOOD purpose.

Removal of the notification requirement should be a priority here.

 

[cmort666]

Your local / state laws prevail. You need to stay current. If the law says you must, you must. If not, it is a courtesy to the officer that, at least in my experience, is appreciated.

Should that "courtesy" be rendered to others as well, such as counter people at McDonald's and the people at the checkout in the grocery store? If not, why not?

 

[b_san]

Bear caliber, open carry, inform you're carrying threads...

 

[ordy]

I won't divulge that information unless the encounter is going farther than a ticket. For instance, if I'm asked to step out of the car or asked if it would be okay if they searched my vehicle.

 

[Rpg]

I haven't been pulled over in over 40 years.

I would tell the office as a matter of courtesy to the officer.

 

[fedoff]

It is more of a courtesy to the officer. If asked, definitely and especially if you are asked to exit your vehicle. No surprises make for an excellent stop.

 

[timn8er]

In Texas I believe it's state law, called "duty to inform", or something like that. On the two occasions lately that I've been pulled over, I told the officer right away that I had a CCL & that I was armed. Neither one of them seemed to care but said that they appreciated me telling them.

 

[GB]

In general, I believe it is best to notify the officer. In states that issue a permit, present it with the rest of the asked for paperwork. It won't cost you anything, may get you some good will for your thoughtfulness. On the other hand, not notifying the officer may get you a gravel sandwich when you are removed from your car! It has been awhile but I have been on both sides of this situation and I appreciated the heads up and was a little peeved when they didn't tell me and things went south.

On another thought: Why would anyone, especially a old guy, like most of us here, or any other honest citizen, allow anyone to search a vehicle or any property without the proper paperwork? An officer who asks permission to search either has probable cause, (plain view and you are probably going to get arrested anyway) in which case they can search or they are on a fishing expedition. Either way, make them do the work. They can call for a dog or get a warrant. Again I have been on both sides. I you choose to say no, plan on spending a little extra time interacting with officer! Just say'in.

As a closer, I will add that I grew up in the West and far Midwest and guns are/were the norm. If I had lived my life in a major metro area I might look on it differently.

 

[H Richard]

Every state is different, be sure to know the law where you are. When in doubt, inform the officer you are carrying, they will most probably thank you.

 

[loknload]

Here in the State of Pennslyvania,,,,,,Nope! Non-notify state!

 

[Rustyt1953]

Do a forum search for "duty to inform" and stand back while your monitor throws up on your keyboard.

It's all there.

 

[BearBio]

I'd like to point out there is no downside to telling. At most, he may ask you to remove it and place it on the hood (or something like that).

The downside to not telling: you may have a rookie or there may be extenuating circumstances which result in you being DEAD right!

Just saying........

For example: I had a friend borrow my Colt 357. We were in our 20's and going to the Colorado River for Memorial Day weekend. We were snake collecting on the way from L.A. to The River and going by separate routes. He didn't show up in the morning. About noon, he pulls in. Seems he did a California (rolling) stop at the stop sign at the London Bridge in Lake Havasu. Got pulled over and received a warning. A mile or so further on, he got pulled over at gunpoint. Like he said, having a 6'6" Indian with a cocked 357 an inch from your face is VERY sobering. Of course, conflicting orders from different directions ("Move and I'll shoot!" "Get out of the car", etc.).

Upshot: There was a guy with the same initials and last name, driving a Karmann Ghia (same color as my buddy's), robbing stores in the rural areas of the Central Valley. Same basic description, long hair, etc. with a single shot .22 rifle. (of course, we were staying at my aunt's place and were going shooting out in the desert.) They (the two guys) spent a few hours in the Tribal Jail until cleared by the State Patrol. I could see that going South very quickly.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

If you feel the need to announce to the Officer simply stop the car, fling open the door, rapidly exit the vehicle and in a loud voice say "I have a gun". Should make your day interesting.

 

[crazyphil]

The first thing the Officer asks for, usually, is license & registration.
Simply hand him your concealed permit with your Driver's License.
Notification is the law in some states, including mine. What have you
got to loose by notifying?

 

[cussedemgun]

If you don't know your state's legal requirements, better find out QUICK

In another thread BearBio brought up an interesting topic that I think merits discussion - specially for those of us new to carrying...



So, do you bring it up or let it pass?

Here in Alaska, no permit required, if you own it legally, you can carry it legally. That DOES NOT mean you are exempt from any laws, a person with a concealed firearm is required to inform any peace officer when approached.

Legally a property owner of business or home has a right to prohibit concealed carry. Possession without permission from said owner is a violation of AK state weapons misconduct laws.

I've seen posts stating it is personal choice to comply or not. Here in Alaska, there is nothing in the state statute that allows for any personal choice.

I'll go further out on the limb by saying (probably) ANY state that allows concealed carry has a law written somewhere that spells out all exceptions & rules to be followed. It's a personal responsibility to read them yourself. Any individual not mature enough to understand WHY is not mature enough to own a firearm in the first place.

 

[67tempest]

My CCW instructor recommended that if pulled over you notify the officer that you have a CC permit but not to mention that you are carrying a gun. If the officer is concerned and asks you if you are armed, at that point tell them yes or no. We were told to NEVER mention the word gun.

 

[kozmic]

In Texas I believe it's state law, called "duty to inform", or something like that. On the two occasions lately that I've been pulled over, I told the officer right away that I had a CCL & that I was armed. Neither one of them seemed to care but said that they appreciated me telling them.

I hope Texas isn't one of those "3 strikes you're out" states Tim!

 

[growr]

Different laws for different states...you MUST know YOUR states laws and abide.....

Randy

 

[kozmic]

Do a forum search for "duty to inform" and stand back while your monitor throws up on your keyboard.

It's all there.

You surely do paint a picture Rusty!

But yes, this is a bit of a retread-thread!

 

[Alpo]

Should that "courtesy" be rendered to others as well, such as counter people at McDonald's and the people at the checkout in the grocery store? If not, why not?

Dang. Why can't I like that ten or twenty times?

It ain't nobody's business whether or not I have a gun. I don't plan to shoot the cop, so letting him know is right up there with notifying him as to whether I'm wearing boxers or briefs. Or whether I'm Catholic or Jewish. It has nothing to do with why I was stopped, and should not make a difference as to whether I get ticketed or not.

 

[cmort666]

The first thing the Officer asks for, usually, is license & registration.
Simply hand him your concealed permit with your Driver's License.

That does not meet the requirements of the law in Ohio and could cost you your CHL. You must VERBALLY notify, and cops here have been known to arrest people for not notifying AFTER previously ORDERING the victim to REMAIN SILENT.

I advise people here to shout over the cop to notify if necessary.

 

[cmort666]

I'd like to point out there is no downside to telling.

I must disagree.

We have mandatory notification WHEN ARMED.

So naturally we have cops "pushing the envelope" and demanding that people notify when NOT armed. I've had that happen to me. My response, "no".

Notification serves NO purpose.

 

[Alpo]

I'd like to point out there is no downside to telling. At most, he may ask you to remove it and place it on the hood (or something like that).

Actually, AT MOST, he may ask you to remove it, then unload it FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY (even though it might be a type gun he's never had in his hand before, and doesn't have a clue how to unload it, and might shoot it in the unloading attempt, or drop it to the pavement), and then take it back to his car to run the serial number TO MAKE SURE IT'S NOT STOLEN.

 

[cmort666]

Actually, AT MOST, he may ask you to remove it, then unload it FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY (even though it might be a type gun he's never had in his hand before, and doesn't have a clue how to unload it, and might shoot it in the unloading attempt, or drop it to the pavement), and then take it back to his car to run the serial number TO MAKE SURE IT'S NOT STOLEN.

Thanks for reminding me!

I forgot that in Pennsylvania they have a "registry that's not a registry" that is full of omissions and inaccuracies. I've seen various accounts of PA cops taking guns when notified, running them against the "registry that's not a registry" and CONFISCATING them when they're not found because they were acquired out of state or even before the registry existed.

Notification has NO good purpose.