When you Carry,

[natnlp8re8]

I dont have my CCL yet, and I stress yet. But here in Nevada I can carry a loaded firearm in a holster as long as it's not conceled by clothing with no permit. I got pulled over in California once after a trip to the range the day before. I notified the officer I had a unloaded handgun in the glovebox and several hundred rounds of ammo in the rear my Jeep. He had me exit the vehicle handcuffed me and patted me down, took an hour to search the car. He gave me two tickets for the traffic violation. One for ilegal transport of a weapon and munitions, because they were both inside the vehicle. He almost gave me a third because the ammo I had was illegal in California. The judge threw out the second based on the make and model of my vehicle. In a Jeep there is no where else to transport the stuff short of strapping it to the roof. Not exactly a pleasnt experience.

 

[Saito100]

Saito, No offense was intended and hopefully none taken. My point was if your driving gives a LEO the impression that you are impaired you probably are, even if it only happens once. No great debate created here, just another interesting thread. Unlike some here, even if not required by state law, I will always disclose to a LEO if I am carrying. This may cause me some grief if I get a guy having a bad day but I believe that in the long run I will be better off for having been up front.

No offense taken, your point was very valid. There have been some great information shared here, and I will continue reading not only the threads here, but our state and local laws. I feel that to disclose up front is the best thing to do, keeping the hands on the wheel, and let the LEO make the next move, and hope he is not having a bad day. I am very interested if Florida links a CCW to the DL, that would solve lots of problems, I think!

 

[Saito100]

You know... I've never been pulled over. I guess I just don't drive fast enough....

Or maybe it's the cops who don't drive fast enough........

OK, I will show my age here, but what the heck! The last ticket I had was in 1970, after returning from Vietnam, got a ticket for doing 90 in a 45 on a sunday morning in my 1966 GTO. OOOPPPPPs!

 

[gunnut2u]

notifying the officer might keep you from getting a gun pointed at you . Nobody likes that kind of surprise. Although , in Missouri , the officer knows when he runs your plate . Not saying that would prevent you from getting a gun pointed at you anyway .

 

[jenlynn724]

My Firearm Safety Course which is required by my state was taught by a retired police officer. He told me not to mention you have a weapon, unless they ask you to step out of the vehicle, then as a courtesy, tell the officer that you have a weapon, and a license to carry it..

 

[EOD Guy]

The requirement to advise LEO and course requirements vary from state-to-state, but here's my thoughts...

Take the course anyway because much of it will cover state law and that was the most informative part of my course since I lived outside of DC at the time and has to deal with Virginia, Federal, Maryland, and DC laws.

My feeling is that, required or not, you score points and put the officer at ease if you're up-front about carrying. In most states he'll know anyway as soon as he runs your license and appreciate that you were up front with him.

 

[2000Z-71]

I'm in the full disclosure camp. I'm not required to declare here in Arizona, but I think it does make for good common sense. I'm more worried about an officer's reaction if he discovers that I am carrying than I am about an officer's reaction if I declare up front that I am carrying. Yes, there is a chance that the officer may over react to the fact that you are carrying. However, there's also the chance that the officer may have a favorable view of permit holders and you'll be on your way with just a warning.

 

[redlevel]

I am in the full disclosure camp but then it is required here in Arizona.

I'm not required to declare here in Arizona

Y'all better get your stories straight.

 

[Lightfoot4]

In North Carolina, you're required to inform the officer. While I've never been stopped while carrying, my wife had a flat tire one night and I switched out cars with her. I was carrying. While changing the tire, a deputy sheriff drove up to help me. I basically told him I have a concealed carry permit and was carrying. He asked to see the permit, then where the firearm was. He helped me change the tire and I was on my way. He was pretty young (looked to be about 12 years old to me), so maybe he hadn't been on the force long enough to get the attitude of the police that stopped Vanilla Gorilla.

 

[FirebirdV8]

Y'all better get your stories straight.

AZ does not require disclosure. My ccw instructor (a former Marine and LEO) taught that disclosure is a courtesy that should be extended. That being said, I feel it depends on the situation and demeanor of the officer. If it is a simple stop and the LEO doesn't seem too excitable, I would mention up front. However, if the LEO is having a bad day, or whatever, and seems upset, if I don't have to get out of the car, I'm not going to tell. That, of course, is just me though.

 

[Capt Steve]

AZ does not require disclosure. My ccw instructor (a former Marine and LEO) taught that disclosure is a courtesy that should be extended.

Mine stated emphatically that you should disclose as the LEO is going to know as soon as he runs your license. If he is going to know anyway I prefer to be the source of that knowledge. Perhaps (?) you are not "legally" mandated (which was and is my understanding of Arizona law), to do so but as a law abiding good guy I can see no reason to withhold the fact that I am legally armed. Under the heading of "Life is timing", if by some chance the LEO decides to ask me to get out of the vehicle, disclosure (that I am armed), at that point is going to be a whole different scenario vs having been up front. As I have said before LEO's have a tough enough job without us good guys making them nervous.

 

[relaytoad]

If you are carrying, i suggest you hand the officer the permit. If not, then there is NO reason to do so!

bruce

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Lots of info here: http://www.handgunlaw.us/

Depends on the State you are in when the stop is made. If you want a little excitement, open the door, step out and say "I have a gun".........

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

notifying the officer might keep you from getting a gun pointed at you.

Could be. Also, not notifying the officer might keep you from getting a gun pointed at you.

My Firearm Safety Course which is required by my state was taught by a retired police officer. He told me not to mention you have a weapon, unless they ask you to step out of the vehicle, then as a courtesy, tell the officer that you have a weapon, and a license to carry it..

Interesting to note what state JenLynn is from, and the occupation of her instructor. Of course, I would mention the license first, and then the weapon.

 

[Capt Steve]

If you are carrying, i suggest you hand the officer the permit. If not, then there is NO reason to do so!

bruce

I agree. If there is no weapon on your person or in the vehicle the point is mute. Frankly I hope to never have to deal with this one...but the chances that I will never be stopped are, well shall we say, slim. (o; If (when), I am stopped and carrying I will hand my license and permit to the LEO and await further instruction.

Before I travel across state lines I know what the applicable laws are, as they vary greatly from state to state. I'll be driving back to Tucson Saturday and my Bersa will be unloaded and locked in the trunk with the ammo in the passenger compartment for the duration of my stay in California. When we cross the Colorado River back into Arizona I will re lock and load.

 

[SAWBONES]

In the twenty-plus years I've practiced CCW, I've gotten pulled over a couple of times for exceeding the posted limit.
Gave the officer my driver's license plus CCW permit both times.

He asked if I was armed and where the gun was.
That was all. No additional fuss.
I did get a ticket both times, though...