Traffic Stop

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panhandle

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Driving down town this morning on my way to the range, a traffic light turned yellow as i was just about under it. I went on through it and a state trooper lit me up. When i handed him my D.L. & Reg, i also handed him my cc permit. He asked if i had my firearm on me and i told him yes, its on my hip. He then asked if i would lay it on the passenger seat?? wth. I had kept my hands on the steering wheel the whole time. Then he asked if his partner could open the door and get my firearm. I guess i should have said no. His partner then took my gun, and they both went back to their cruzer for about ten min. Came back, gave me a warning ticket and the other trooper opened the pass. door and just threw my gun back on the seat. wth???? I need to read some more on WV. carry laws.
 
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I would like to think I would decline. Whether or not we like to admit it, it's hard to stand your ground on the matter. I lucked out in that the officer I handed my permit to replied "I don't need this" when I handed my permit to him the one time I've been in that sort of situation. I keep my mouth shut about it when I'm not in my home state(one of the few states I can reply "that's none of your business" if an officer asks)
 
I don't live in a state where I have to inform so I don't. I did once and it created a huge hasslr
 
I preface what I am about to say with the point that I am willing to be taken to jail.

If have not been pulled over while carrying, but I would certainly notify the LEO that I was. But also, I would specifically not consent to any searches or seizures. In other words, when he said, do you mind if the other office takes you gun, I would decline.

Andrew
 
In OK you have to inform the officer that you have a concelaed weapon when stopped. I always have and they have never asked to see or take my weapon from me. It has been a non issue for me.
 
By the time I retired (2001) CCW was not common place as it is now. On the few occasions I stopped a driver who informed me they were CCW, I asked to see their permit, and asked where the weapon was. I then asked/informed them to leave the weapon where it was, and we went about our business and everyone went home happy.

Perhaps I'm being naive but I just don't see any reason to detain and perhaps harass someone who is in compliance with the law.
 
Georgia law does not require that I notify LE if I'm carrying in event of a traffic stop. But I would hand him/her my GA WCL along with my DL and registration.
 
Might have been a Training Officer showing a rookie how to run a gun through Dispatch to determine if it was stolen. I can't think of any other reason why they'd take the firearm. Check the law in your state, but IMO "asking" indicates to me that he didn't have valid probable cause to take possession, and needed consent.
 
old bear said:
....
Perhaps I'm being naive but I just don't see any reason to detain and perhaps harass someone who is in compliance with the law.
Click to expand...

Sadly, there are plenty examples of LEOs that do not hold the same view as you.

Andrew
 
If you didn't tell him you had a gun he wouldn't have made you remove it, he wouldn't have asked you to allow his partner to open your vehicle and take it, and he wouldn't have taken it back to his cruiser.

Why tell?
 
Lost Lake said:
If you didn't tell him you had a gun he wouldn't have made you remove it, he wouldn't have asked you to allow his partner to open your vehicle and take it, and he wouldn't have taken it back to his cruiser.

Why tell?
Click to expand...

Each state is different, so this may not apply to WI. In TN, when they run your DL, they will know if the person has a carry permit. So once they know you may be armed, they will ask you if you are or not. If I am not carrying, then there is no issue. If I am, then I don't want ot lie and say that I am not.

So in order to preempt that whole conversation, if I am carrying, I will let them know ahead of time, as I sign of good will.

Andrew
 
andrewb70 said:
Each state is different, so this may not apply to WI. In TN, when they run your DL, they will know if the person has a carry permit. So once they know you may be armed, they will ask you if you are or not. If I am not carrying, then there is no issue. If I am, then I don't want ot lie and say that I am not.

So in order to preempt that whole conversation, if I am carrying, I will let them know ahead of time, as I sign of good will.

Andrew
Click to expand...

Wi doesn't require notification, and I keep hearing all the BAD stories of letting the officer know.

How about I don't say anything, but if he asks or if he asks me to get out of the car, THEN I tell him I am armed and have a permit.

When he asks where it is, I'll say "Well officer, I have a 9 on my hip, a .380 in the cubby there, a .45 in the console, a rifle behind the rear seat, and a .38 in my pocket".

Think he'd call for backup or just be cool?


.
 
Lost Lake said:
Wi doesn't require notification, and I keep hearing all the BAD stories of letting the officer know.

How about I don't say anything, but if he asks or if he asks me to get out of the car, THEN I tell him I am armed and have a permit.

When he asks where it is, I'll say "Well officer, I have a 9 on my hip, a .380 in the cubby there, a .45 in the console, a rifle behind the rear seat, and a .38 in my pocket".

Think he'd call for backup or just be cool?


.
Click to expand...

I can't say how any LEO will react, but if you tell him all that, he might freak! LOL

There have been plenty of cases of over-reaction in "gun friendly" states. I suspect that since CCW is relatively new in WI, that is causing some anxiety with LEOs.

When they run your DL, will they know that you have a carry permit?

Andrew
 
andrewb70 said:
When they run your DL, will they know that you have a carry permit?

Andrew
Click to expand...

I don't know.... I'll have to look it up!

ETA: I checked, and Carry Permits are NOT accessible by a WI plate number. The police could ask the dispatcher to see if the owner has a permit, but they have to have a specific reason to ask.
 
Last edited:
He ran the serial number to see if it was stolen. Fishing.
 
SMSgt said:
He ran the serial number to see if it was stolen. Fishing.
Click to expand...

That's correct checking if stolen. In WV if you have a WV CCW they already know when they run you tag before they get out of the car usually, the dispatcher will tell them you have a CCW. I hear it on the scanner all the time when they pull over a WV CCW licensee. Weather you are carrying on not they don't know , they may ask, may not. WV is also a open carry state. It sometimes creates a problem telling you are carrying but if you don't and a partner or them see it could raise their eyebrows. The call is yours WV is also a not required to notify state. You are not statutorily required to inform law enforcement you are carrying a weapon in the state of West Virginia.
 
If I was a cop I think I would have them leave it be. Or if its out ask them to clear it perhaps? Our ccw teacher said he always appreciates it when someone informs him they are carrying. No surprises makes everyone safer.

I would inform I think, especially if Im carrying on my hip. If you reach for your bill fold and his parter sees a gun on your hip... I would rather not have 40 sw bullet rattling around in my cranium.

Dads friend (ya one of those stories : p ) Said a state trooper almost put one in his head one day. Hes also law enforcement and was carrying a gun in his breifcase... with his ID... and forgot it was there. He reached over flipped the top up and heard a "Dont you Fing move" and had a gun to the side of his head.
 
I was stopped one night coming home late (after midnight) by a deputy sheriff. I gave him my DL, IC & CC permit. He asked me where was the gun. I said there is a .45 in the glove box. He asked could he see it. Went to the passanger side & took the pistol with him.
Came back after some time & said, "just as I though, it's yours. Like the engraving on it."
Gave me a warning & let me go.
Engraving was: Be not afraid of any man no matter what his size If danger threatens call on me and I will equalize
 
Poodle Soup said:
No surprises makes everyone safer.

If you reach for your bill fold and his parter sees a gun on your hip... I would rather not have 40 sw bullet rattling around in my cranium.
Click to expand...

My God, why do we think cops are that trigger happy? So they see a gun. Lots of people have guns. It's a long way from on your hip to pulled and pointed in your direction...

And why would cops think everyone wants to shoot them anyway? Everyone who carries a permit is willing to kill a cop to get out of a speeding ticket?

Are cops that jumpy at a shooting range too? Everyone is carrying a gun.... :confused:
 
When the state of IOWA passed the Shall Issue law in 2008 they specifically included that you DO NOT have to notify the officer(s) if you have a weapon. The CCW database will NOT be linked to the drivers license database.

A permit to carry a weapon has nothing to do with a license to drive a motor vehicle................

Don't complicate things by telling information that is not relevant to the process at hand.
 
I knew that here in WV. that i did not have to inform them that i was armed, i've heared that its the courteus thing to do. It will not happen again. Lesson learned!
 
Some states require you to notify a officer that you are carrying some don't know the laws of the states you are traveling in it could save you a lot of problems. If you don't notify in a must notify state and they decide to do a search legal or illegal you a** could be in for a world of hurt. Sure maybe you could sue but it will cost you and all you would have to have done is keep hands on steering wheel, officer approaches, "officer I have a CCW I'm carrying, it is on my hip or whever you carry, where my license is how would you like me to proceed." (also notice I didn't say any of the bad words, gun, firearm, weapon, explosive, rocket launcher, cannon, etc) or don't tell in states that require notification and take a chance. Some officers on this forum have stated they wanted to know some said they didn't decision is up to you, and the laws of the state your in. Non notify state I wouldn't tell unless they ask me to get out of vehicle.
 
old bear said:
By the time I retired (2001) CCW was not common place as it is now. On the few occasions I stopped a driver who informed me they were CCW, I asked to see their permit, and asked where the weapon was. I then asked/informed them to leave the weapon where it was, and we went about our business and everyone went home happy.

Perhaps I'm being naive but I just don't see any reason to detain and perhaps harass someone who is in compliance with the law.
Click to expand...
This is exactly what happened to me the one time i was
stopped and approached by an officer while carrying.
I handed over registration and when i was getting my DL
out of my wallet he noticed my carry permit. He asked if I
had a weapon in the truck and i said i did, in the console.
He then very politely asked me to not reach into the console
while he was present. No problem.
These guys are just trying to stay alive.
I fully understand that.

Chuck
 
Doug M. said:
*
Master Chief, what leads you to believe that? I know of no such statute.
Click to expand...

I may be wrong on that but it seems safer that taking a chance.
Only 3 times in the last 20+ years & all the time it has worked out OK for me. Then again having a SP card & NRA & Navy retired stickers on the back window may have also helped....:)
 
In SC we are required to present our CWP with our license only if we are carrying on our person. That lets the officer know you are carrying . If it is in the console we do not have to notify the officer. Depending on the situation I might be inclined to inform the officer of the presence of a firearm to avoid a problem. Either way my hands remain on the wheel and if at night the interior light is on. They just want to go home to their family after their shift. Its a tough job and everyone they stop is not a law abiding citizen.
 
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