Traffic Stop

Lost Lake said:
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:
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Ive been pulled over once. I have tinted windows in my car. The state trooper had his holster unsnapped and hand on his gun while walking up to the window. What would have happened if I had been carrying and reached towards a gun? Or opened the glove box and had a gun sitting under my registration and insurance info?

I dont blame him at all. I could have had a gun pointed at him through the window waiting for him to get closer or had a passenger in the back seat doing the same thing. What ever makes the police feel safer and get home to their families Im alright helping out a little.
 
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Haven't been lit up yet so I do not know what rection I will get, however most LEO'S in my area that I talk to are pretty understanding. It is however the law in N C you must inform. Don't know if it comes up when they run you plate but it certainly does when they run your Lic. since your premit No.and DL No. are the same.
 
FL is not a "must notify" state, and, if I were to be stopped, I would not notify unless asked to exit the vehicle (and I've never been asked to exit a vehicle for any stop).

As for traveling through other states, I don't try to memorize which ones are/aren't must notify. If I were to get stopped, I'd notify. Easier than forgetting which one requires.
 
I would, of course suggest that if your state/local laws require you to make an officer aware you are armed, then you should comply. What concerns me more is the sloppy gun handling described at the conclusion of the traffic stop when the officer returned the pistol by tossing into the front seat. I do not know what various departments are teaching in terms of encountering a CCW holder during a traffic stop, but there are already tools in the LE tool box for dealing with an armed suspect in a car once it is determined that the traffic violator is more than just a guy or gal driving with his/her head up some other place. Asking someone to place a pistol on the passenger seat during a traffic stop must makes the gun that much more accessible in my opinion.

I recall years ago a co-worker with an agency I worked for got stopped in an official vehicle for some traffic infraction. The co-worker identified him/herself as LE, and that the unmarked vehicle was LE. The next question was, "are you armed?" "Yes." "Well place the weapon on the roof of the car and get back in."
 
Lost Lake said:
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?
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*
Actually, it is not that "long" once one considers that "action beats reaction". Cops are taught that they always have to be ready for a conflict, for a lot of other also valid reasons.

I'd be hesitant to seek to disarm a person on a traffic stop, for a lot of good reasons, not the least of which is it pisses people off for no good reason. While we have solid case law about the lawful ability to disarm a person during a Terry stop for a crime, I would not argue extending that to a traffic stop unless it is criminal traffic (a traffic stop, even for what we call an infraction here, is technically a Terry stop).

The other thing that scares me is that a lot of cops are so ignorant of firearms that they will do stupid stuff. The worst I ever heard of was of an officer from an agency that has delusions of adequacy who for some reason took a 1911 off a driver and then came back and told the driver that the decocker did not work.:eek:

A friend at that agency told me he found that story believable due to their poor training on the law and the fact that they were at the time stuck with an issue sidearm with a slide mounted safety/decocker along with other heinous ergonomic traits.

I think that would have generated an IA complaint if I had been the driver, for a lot of reasons.
 
Doug thats exactly why I prefer everybodys pistols stay in the holster. I used to work with a guy that always wanted to take possession on a traffic stop. He ended up touching off a round trying to clear a citizens pistol. I know many cops who would do the same thing if handed a 1911.
 
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?
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I got stopped in CO by a Sheriff and I DIDN'T tell (didn't know I had to) and when he came back after running my license, he was hugging the side of my Explorer like he was on Mission Impossible. : ) He barked about me not telling him I was armed. I said I didn't know I was supposed to tell and that was that. They have computers, so if you're supposed to inform, better do it.

In OR I hand the CC with the papers and it's never been an issue. They never want to see it. They just ask where it is.
 
#1: dont go under yellow lights.
#2:dont offer info you dont need to.

Police officers dont care about permits. There is a reason they carry a gun. Alot of speculation in the replies. How many of them carried a badge everyday? Cops definitely have a reason to be a little jumpy with or without a permit in hand. Unless you live in a state that says you must inform, dont. Makes for a better transaction. We are law abiding citizens rights? Apparently not if you got lit up and pulled over.

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I prefer the INFORM route over not telling them. Last thing I want is their gun in my face because they see my pistol(s) during a traffic stop or some other legal interaction.

I have twice declared concealed weapons and twice I had NO PROBLEM with the officer, one of them being today as I managed to inadvertently trespass on federal prison property. The first time was a state trooper, he did take my pistol but it was for his safety until he was done giving me a $110.00 ticket for speeding. At no time have I had issues or problems with law enforcement, then again the first thing I do after first interaction is declare my weapon.

These videos you see on the internet are in typically bating police into a confrontation or people not declaring their weapon from the beginning like they should regardless if they are required to or not. If the officer is being an *** then be as professional as possible and deal with him through his superiors later. If I would've acted like I see some of the YouTube hero's I would have been arrested for both trespassing and federal weapons crime since I was concealed on federal property.

Basically what I'm trying to say is keep your cool, declare your weapon(s) and fully cooperate with police and give them the utmost respect regardless of how they treat you. If they get out of line the law will take care of them.
 
panhandle, did you ever find out what the law says about them taking your gun like that? These state laws already have cleared you to carry a concealed weapon. When they ask you to give up that weapon, it is like they are saying they don't really respect your rights.
 
I'd rather err on the side of respect for the LEO.. to help take a few degrees of tension out of the stop. Sounds like there are more than a few "Barneys" out there, but the CPL/CCW gives you a cleared legal status to carry. I think its also wise to drive a bit more on the conservative side when carrying. Your response and attitude often has a lot to do with how things turn out. Also appreciated the advice we got in CPL class about NOT storing a fire arm in the glove box with your insurance and registration!!
 
To Trauma1, I did'nt break the law, i was past the point of no return as the light turned as i was under it. LEO was just a jerk. I have a very clean driving record and we have all been pulled over,including you!
 
JFootin said:
panhandle, did you ever find out what the law says about them taking your gun like that? These state laws already have cleared you to carry a concealed weapon. When they ask you to give up that weapon, it is like they are saying they don't really respect your rights.
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No, have not found any material on the laws of that nature. I did talk to a city cop and he said in the last 6 months there have been 6 LEO related shootins here in this county.
 
About every person a warden encounters is armed especialy durring hunting season. While probley a few have been killed in the last 100 years its super rare.
 
feralmerril said:
About every person a warden encounters is armed especialy durring hunting season. While probley a few have been killed in the last 100 years its super rare.
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Ive always thought that could be a very stressful job at times... but they are usually not the ones pulling people over in the middle of the night or walking into dark alley ways looking for bad guys either.
 
Ogandydancer said:
Not the smartest rock in the box but when did they start putting de-cockers on 1911 models? What did I miss?
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The genius that took the gun from the owner evidently knocked off the safety on the 1911, thinking it was a decocker lever.... as I would imagine it was being carried "locked and cocked" and the cop had no clue it was a safety lever and not a decocker lever.

so now the genius is holding a 1911 with one up and no safety on.

Good thing he didn't touch one off into the guys head.
 
Bumped into another car in a parking lot. College student in parent's car far from home. His parents wanted a police report, understandable. LE showed up, did investigation and issued me a ticket. First in many years.
I forgot I was carrying. LEO didn't say anything, I didn't say anything, Not required in FL. End of story.
 
Bugkiller99 said:
Bumped into another car in a parking lot. College student in parent's car far from home. His parents wanted a police report, understandable. LE showed up, did investigation and issued me a ticket.
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Florida issues tickets for fender benders on private property? Screw them, trade ID and scram.
 
Traffic stop

In my ccdw class my teacher told to us that when you show your ccdw license to an officer in a traffic stop never pull your firearm off your side even if he asks you. He said this could lead to many other problems if you put your hand on that firearm. I will always decline because I don't want to put my hand on my weapon in front of the police officer cause you never know how things will turn out.
 
I'm all for anything that keeps the officer safe and happy. They have a tough job.

And therefore, why tell him I have a gun? It's CONCEALED. He isn't going to see it. It seems the only time they are going to get excited is when you tell them you have a gun. Then they ask where it is, keep your hands away, give me the weapon, step out of the car, I have to run this number, etc. etc. etc.

If I am asked to get out of my vehicle then I will inform the officer I have a weapon and what would you like me to do with it?

I want the least amount of excitement I can get. If the officer doesn't know I have a weapon he isn't going to worry about it. ;)
 
Lost Lake said:
If I am asked to get out of my vehicle then I will inform the officer I have a weapon and what would you like me to do with it?
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I agree. Even in a "shall inform" state, I'm waiting to inform until and only if the officer asks me to step out of the vehicle (or if the officer asks if there are any weapons in the car)

I have the utmost respect for law enforcement officers, but my privacy and safety is my top priority when pulled over. I want them to go home safely, as well as me.
 
panhandle said:
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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Other than "throwing" your gun onto the passenger seat what's the issue? It took 10 minutes of your time and you were cut loose with a warning. Yes, I agree throwing the gun is a bit rude, not to mention poor gun handling.

A traffic stop is a lawful detention and a LEO has the authority to secure any weapons for the duration of the encounter. The Trooper was being polite by asking instead of telling.

On a personal note, I tend to leave guns were they are on stops depending on the circumstances. However, I know many officers that will run the serial number of all guns they encounter through NCIC to confirm its not stolen.


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I was recently stopped for a headlight out, local police officer. I pulled over, rolled my window down, kept my hands on the steering wheel. Texas is a must inform state and I was under the impression that it would be an offense if I failed to inform. So immediately as he arrive at my window I said to him, "Officer I am required to inform you that I have a concealed handgun license and I am carrying." In fact I was carrying two. He said to me your headlight is out and some other conversation, but did not issue me a warning and did not ask me to present the chl, nor the license nor to look at my handguns. I have my billfold in my right front pocket so I did not want to reach for anything till he asked me to.
 
A traffic stop is a lawful detention and a LEO has the authority to secure any weapons for the duration of the encounter. The Trooper was being polite by asking instead of telling.
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Does TX law state that legally-carried guns can be seized? If not, under what authority can you seize a legally-carried gun on a traffic stop without any reasonable suspicion to believe the carrier is dangerous? I only ask because in my state, the statute does not say anything about the police being allowed to seize a legally-carried gun on a traffic stop that has nothing to do with the guy being dangerous.

I'm all for anything that keeps the officer safe and happy. They have a tough job.

And therefore, why tell him I have a gun? It's CONCEALED. He isn't going to see it.
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It's not for the officers' safety, it's for yours. Some legal gun carriers forget they're carrying a gun and then reach for their wallet right where their gun is. The law requiring you to announce is so that the police officer doesn't have to do a bunch more paperwork on a simple traffic stop after he drills you when he thought you were going for a gun.
 
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