cmort666
Member
I keep my registration and proof of insurance above the passenger side sun visor so that I don't have to go in the glove box, where my pistol usually is.
Traffic stop while carrying
- Thread starter Johnmuratore
- Start date
george minze
Member
Probably a pretty good idea.......
My registration is on the driver's side visor stuck in the vanity mirror that I never use - no need to even reach across the car. Proof of insurance card is behind the driver's license in the wallet - they come out together. No muss, no fuss, no extra moves. Hands stay visible to officer until he's at the window, and then I tell him where I am reaching and what for. No need to be rummaging around in the car as he walks up, wondering if you are reaching for paperwork, or something that will hurt him.
Houdini1953
Member
This means that the state has all gun owners with a permit registered the next thing that will happen from that kind of law is confiscation kinda one reason why I don't like have a permit to begin with but at least it only allows me to carry but not list the weapon or weapons I can carry!
sgtsandman
US Veteran
Regardless as to whether your State has a duty to inform or not, the best policy is to let the officer know up front when they as for your license, registration, and proof of insurance. The best way to do that is to say, "I will comply but for your safety and mine, I am licensed to carry and I am carrying. How would you like to proceed."
Never mention gun, firearm, or pistol. There maybe a partner coming up on the other side that just hears "gun" and freaks. That statement will inform the officer, disarm any potential nastiness, and keep you from getting shot.
All while staying the vehicle with your hands in plain sight on the steering wheel or dash. Don't go rummaging for anything while waiting for the officer and pull over as far to the right as you can. The little things help and depending on the reason for the stop, you might just get off with a warning or a "be careful and have a nice day."
The officer is the one in control and just wants to get home like everyone else. As long as they are doing their job in accordance with the law and the Constitution, there is no reason to give them a hard time. As long as you are polite and respectful, things should go easy and you will be on your way. Act pissy and rude and they will start looking for things.
Never mention gun, firearm, or pistol. There maybe a partner coming up on the other side that just hears "gun" and freaks. That statement will inform the officer, disarm any potential nastiness, and keep you from getting shot.
All while staying the vehicle with your hands in plain sight on the steering wheel or dash. Don't go rummaging for anything while waiting for the officer and pull over as far to the right as you can. The little things help and depending on the reason for the stop, you might just get off with a warning or a "be careful and have a nice day."
The officer is the one in control and just wants to get home like everyone else. As long as they are doing their job in accordance with the law and the Constitution, there is no reason to give them a hard time. As long as you are polite and respectful, things should go easy and you will be on your way. Act pissy and rude and they will start looking for things.
So exactly why is this the the best policy?
I am a firm believer that the less information I give the police on the side of the road, the better off I am. All unnecessarily informing the officer that I am armed does is extend the time I’m going to be sitting on the side of the road.
If I’m not a threat to the officer, telling him I’m armed is moot and if I am a threat I’m not going to tell him I’m armed anyway.
sgtsandman
US Veteran
Well, for one, in some States it's a crime if you don't and they find out. Two, there have been instances where things have gotten way out of hand on the officer's part when they do find out even if you were not wrong in not telling him in States where a duty to inform in not required.
Granted, there are anti-gun cops out there who will make life miserable for you regardless but why encourage the situation? And then, it is in them to prove they were justified in their actions.
The majority of the Officers that I have hand an opportunity to speak with, want us to have guns. They can be everywhere all the time and usually arrive at the crime scene just in time to clean up the mess.
Granted, not every State is like that; or even every city. New Jersey has made the news recently about how some of their officers have treated concealed carry holders and cities like Philadelphia are known for the same. Most officers take their oath seriously though and should be given that consideration.
Granted, there are anti-gun cops out there who will make life miserable for you regardless but why encourage the situation? And then, it is in them to prove they were justified in their actions.
The majority of the Officers that I have hand an opportunity to speak with, want us to have guns. They can be everywhere all the time and usually arrive at the crime scene just in time to clean up the mess.
Granted, not every State is like that; or even every city. New Jersey has made the news recently about how some of their officers have treated concealed carry holders and cities like Philadelphia are known for the same. Most officers take their oath seriously though and should be given that consideration.
10 actually, and in one of them there is no penatly for failing to inform. To put it another way 4 out of 5 state legistiaures don't agree with you that informing the cop you are armed is important, if they did they'd pass a law.
Not really a common occurrence though and usually precipitated by the carrier making a dumb mistake. Do you think it would be reasonable for a cop notices that there’s a gun in my car (not that I’m reaching for, just one that’s there) to give me an earful of Glock without asking me what’s up?
In the course of a normal traffic stop (you weren’t asked to step out of the car or searched) there’s no real reason for the cop to even note that you have a firearm in the car.
If I’m asked to step out of the car , I’m specifically asked if I have weapons in the car or I’m in a jurisdiction that requires it I’ll inform.
Beyond that it’s irrelevant to the stop.
Where's my consideration?
Again, if I’m not a threat the fact that I’m armed is irrelevant if I am a threat I’m not going to tell them.
sgtsandman
US Veteran
I'm in Ohio a lot, which is a duty to inform State, it's better to just do it all the time. That is just my opinion.
There have been instances where the person who was pulled over was a dummy and things got ugly and there have been times where the person wasn't carrying and were harassed for it anyway. One could go all over the spectrum with this.
As far as your consideration, generally you get it when you give the officer consideration. Most will greatly appreciate you being up front and forth coming and will be much more relaxed. Most officers know that those who have a license are rarely ever a problem because the person with the license doesn't want to do anything to lose it.
Officers are forced by the nature of their job to view every stop as potential threat. By informing the officer and giving him respect and consideration, you will remove that. So, it all comes back around to you getting respect and consideration. Chances are, a person like you and I are being pulled over for a burnt out tail light or a minor traffic violation. Not a big deal but to the officer just walking up to your window, it could become a big deal in a hurry. Like you and I, they want to go home to their family and just have a nice, quiet day on the job. What would it hurt to give them a little courtesy? Chances are, you will get it right back. Just my two cents.
There have been instances where the person who was pulled over was a dummy and things got ugly and there have been times where the person wasn't carrying and were harassed for it anyway. One could go all over the spectrum with this.
As far as your consideration, generally you get it when you give the officer consideration. Most will greatly appreciate you being up front and forth coming and will be much more relaxed. Most officers know that those who have a license are rarely ever a problem because the person with the license doesn't want to do anything to lose it.
Officers are forced by the nature of their job to view every stop as potential threat. By informing the officer and giving him respect and consideration, you will remove that. So, it all comes back around to you getting respect and consideration. Chances are, a person like you and I are being pulled over for a burnt out tail light or a minor traffic violation. Not a big deal but to the officer just walking up to your window, it could become a big deal in a hurry. Like you and I, they want to go home to their family and just have a nice, quiet day on the job. What would it hurt to give them a little courtesy? Chances are, you will get it right back. Just my two cents.
cmort666
Member
I've experienced the latter. In Ohio, you are ABSOLUTELY not required to inform when not armed, and I ABSOLUTELY refuse to do so.
The law requires me to inform when ARMED. I will obey the law and NOTHING more.
Since 99% of the time I have my firearm when I get in my car or truck and if I'm taking the wife's well that one has a firearm that lives in it. That said when I have been stopped since obtaining my CHL I simply hand the officer my DL and my CHL and inform them that A) my weapon is located XXXX or B) I am not carrying it at the moment. I know the law but I also just dont see the reasoning in "I aint telling um nothing" attitude. Im legally licensed to have it and have no qaulms in telling a law enforcement officer if I do or dont have it when interacting with one in a traffic stop situation. These guys have enough shiat to deal with from the real bad guys why should I add to the stress by being a "barney bad ***" type.
SMOKE with all due respect, officers have to consider EVERYONE a possible threat upon initial contact, to do otherwise is extremely UNwise. I know that when I learn through running a license plate through LEADS that the owner of the vehicle has a ccw I tend to relax A BIT because I know that someone who has taken the time and energy to get a ccw (and pass the background to get one) is a lot less likely to be a threat to me. After that, it is 100% (by his/her actions mannerisms etc) on the person I am dealing with as to whether or not I consider him a threat or not. With a known ccw holder 99 times out of 100 they are put in the "Non-threat" category anyway.
I agree 100%
I’m not saying that anyone absolutely shouldn’t inform during a traffic stop, nor am I saying they absolutely should. It just bothers me when someone gets on the internet and insists that I must inform. That’s what I was responding to.
sgtsandman
US Veteran
I think you may be misunderstanding me. My comment about informing is only if you are armed. If you are unarmed, why would you need to inform?
The reference I had in mind about concealed carriers being harassed was a man and a woman from Florida who were traveling through either Maryland or New Jersey. I believe it was Maryland. Any way, apparently, the officers tailed them for a while and pulled up their information (no violation of any kind was mentioned in any of the reports I read about it) and saw the vehicle was registered to a concealed carry holder (the husband). They then proceeded to pull them over and demanded to see the weapon. Things were ugly from the very beginning with no cause other than they were from out of State. They were accused of lying to the officers when they said they didn't have it and didn't produce it. There was an extensive road side search and the couple were charged with lying to the officers and some other stuff.
Now, the above is a rare occurrence (at least being reported on in the news) but it does happen.
Back to the original reply, I only meant that you inform while you are armed. If you are not, then no need. If you have firearms in the trunk that are unloaded and locked in a case, there is no need to inform unless directly asked. As long as you are following federal transportation guide lines, it shouldn't be an issue. The exception being if the State has separate transportation laws. PA, for example has rules about going to and from the range, to and from a hunting event, or to and from a licensed dealer with no stops. If you stop to eat, go to the bathroom, or at grandma's house, you are in violation. But I digress.
sgtsandman
US Veteran
Where did I ever insist that one must inform? I did state that I recommend it or something similar but never said that it was a must. Following the law is the minimum and that is your right. I would never insist that one goes against their rights as long as mine or someone else's rights are not violated in the process. You are most certainly within your bounds and rights to no inform, armed or otherwise, if you are not required to.
I'm sorry that's just what I took from the tone of your post. If I read something into it that wasn't there I appologize
cmort666
Member
You missed the part where I said that that's EXACTLY what one Rocky River cop asked me to do. I politely declined. Others have had identical experiences... or worse.
I've also had a number of non-LEOs tell me that I need to "notify" when not armed.
For some LEOs, it's ignorance on their part. For others it's a manifestation of a desire to "push the envelope".
cmort666
Member
My point is that I've had a cop try to get me to notify when NOT armed, which is completely extra-legal. I've had non-cops do likewise. In every instance, my response has been "no".
I don't like Ohio's notification requirement, but I'll obey it. I obey the law. Arbitrary whim on the other hand, I don't waste my time with.
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