Concealed Weapons Questions
 

Anyone out there have a concealed weapons license, was wondering what the protocol is , when you're stopped by a cop and you're carrying a weapon

Re: Concealed Weapons Questions
 

You tell them immediately that you have a concealed weapon - period. You never know how a simple pull-over could escalate and if you're found to have a hidden weapon that you didn't disclose immediately, well, the officer isn't going to be too happy about that.

Re: Concealed Weapons Questions
 

Yea, I thought that much, but I was wondering what they did next? is it like put your hands up and lay face down on the pavement?

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If he asks for your drivers license, hand him both license and CCW permit...

If he asks you to step out of the car, tell him you are armed and ask him what he would like you to do.

Many states have a "Safe Passage" law which allows you to travel through their state with a loaded, concealed firearm, but you must inform the officer of the weapon when pulled over...

In my experiences, the cops are were very appreciative when I told them I had a weapon in the car (legal in my state) or offered my permit.

Re: Concealed Weapons Questions
 

No, not at all, I would say most officers (my opinion) are pro-gun and it is especially refreshing to them that you have obtained the proper license for it. I have been pulled over and after stating I had a weapon, they just asked for my license - they didn't care to see the weapon.

One time I was at a concert and an officer near the beer tent saw my permit when I was having my ID checked and asked me if I was "packing", I said no and told him I didn't think I could bring it in here. He told me he saw no reason why I couldn't. Obivously I wouldn't have gotten through security up front with a gun, but it was nice to hear the officer's take on the matter.

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Yes,and I will add that it is best to keep your hands on the wheel in plain site when the officer approaches if you are carrying. I believe I've read that the most dangerous time for a cop is when they approach the driver of a car they've just pulled over so I don't want to add any stress to a nervous officer at that point. I myself have not been pulled over since carrying but for those I know who have- there's been no issue.

Re: Concealed Weapons Questions
 

go to your state's website and learn what the law is

Re: Concealed Weapons Questions
 

When you get pulled over, wait until the officer is within earshot, then start yelling at the top of your lungs, "Ive got a gun!! Ive got a gun!!"

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Bottom line, check with your state (and the states around you), so you know for sure.

Some states don't require you say anything, but if there's a misunderstanding, or they see it without you telling them, it can get ugly before you finally get let go.

I've also heard some states say that if you are walking down the street and pass a cop, if you exchange ANY words, "Hey" - "Looks like it might rain" - "Howya doin" , any words, you HAVE to inform them you are legally armed.

Re: Concealed Weapons Questions
 

:ARMS1:

ROFL :haha:

post of the day!

Re: Concealed Weapons Questions
 

LOL....yea that's the thing to do....IF you want to get shot...LOL


I did some fact checking, there are a lot of places you Can't carry, even if you have a license...a Bar or any establishment that sells ETOH for one

Re: Concealed Weapons Questions
 

I was driving from Austin to Corpus pretty fast and got pulled over. a female state trooper got out and I thought , "oh crap, I left my license in my backpack which I threw in the trunk..." then I thought "oh crap, my AK is back there too with the handle and stock sticking out of a canvas bag.

so she came up and I was like "uhm, my license is in the trunk and I have a rifle back there too."

shes like "well go get it" so she went back there with me and I grabbed my license out of my backpack that was like 5 inches from a loaded AK that was trying to fall out of this bag.

she didnt seem too concerned.

I got pulled over here in alaska with my texas chl and the cop didnt even want to look at my CHL. didnt care. I did have a gun in my console. he didnt care. I got pulled again and totally forgot to inform the cop that I had a CHL, which ususally is a big no-no, but he never mentioned it. I wasnt carrying that time. Alaska is an open carry state though so thats a big factor.

so far my experience is if you speak calmly and look the guy in the eye and keep a blank stare they wont think youre trying to kiss ass or be a tough guy so they dont really have anything to fear from you and you can get the hell away in one piece.

Re: Concealed Weapons Questions
 

This is the best advice. Although I have been stopped for not stopping fully at a 'right on red' light, and forgot to give it to the LEO without concquenses. In Fla when they run your DL it comes up that you have a CCP.

Re: Concealed Weapons Questions
 

Re: Concealed Weapons Questions
 

When you apply for one, you'll receive the "what should you do if you're stopped by the cops" rules. As well as laws regarding use of force, etc.

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Be sure to show it to him too so he can envy your intelligent choice.

:banghead:

Re: Concealed Weapons Questions
 

When I get pulled over--way too often--I remove my weapon from it's holster, clear it, put it on the dash, remove my drivers license and CWP from my wallet, put them on the dash, roll down the windows, shut off the vehicle and put my hands on the top of the steering wheel.

Have NEVER had a ticket issued for anything.

99% of the time just conversation about why I was driving "slightly dumb". One time pulled over in TEXAS for 105 mph. You know-TEXAS-where two miles over the speed limit can really piss them off.

Works for me!

CC

Re: Concealed Weapons Questions
 

Similar experience CC. I think they actually appreciate permitted, armed citizens for the most part.

If pulled over, I would say to the officer when he comes up to the window "I am a weapons permit holder and am armed.....how do you want to proceed" while keeping my hands on the steering wheel..( Thanks Melbo )....or "both my wife and I are permit holders and armed....." if she should be with me. The one time I was stopped, he simply said thank you, and proceeded to take my license back to run it, and then did NOT even write me a ticket.

Once I was stopped on a downtown street in the evening, and asked for ID ( they were looking for a "bearded guy" that was bothering some folks at an outdoor cafe ).....I handed him my carry permit for ID. He asked if I was carrying now, and I said "yes....Glock 9mm in a belt holster on my right hip". He said thanks.....conferred with another cop that rolled up, determined I was not their guy, and they moved on.

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I suspect the CCW shows up when they run your tag even. The only time I got pulled over for speeding after I got mine, I was let off with just a warning. I didn't mention it and he didn't ask.

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I don't know about the tag, but just to the left of my tag, you pretty well get the message I might be armed....ahahahahaaaa

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Same goes in TX. When I was 21 I got my 1st CHL and I got pulled over for speeding and I gave the cop my DL as I was not carrying. He came back (after running the license) and said where's your CHL? I showed it to him and he said I was required that I show him my CHL regardless if I was carrying or not. He was HEATED but I knew that I didnt have to. He wanted to search my car and everything, I simply said no. He did NOT like that answer. After more words and threats (from him of course) were exchanged, he eventually let me go on about my way. Guess I wasn't commiting a FELONY (his words, not mine) after all.

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Palm Beach County and Lee County- I asked a few Deputies I know and they agree with the above.
A few said that they might want to ask the driver to volontarity accept cuffs while he gets out of the car (if the driver is required to get out of th ecar for thestop) for officer protection.

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WHERE DID YOU GET THAT! I WANT ONE!!!!!!! I cannot live another 4 days without a sticker like that on my car!!!

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It depends entirely on the state. In Arizona you are not required to tell the officer unless they ask. I follow a strict don't ask don't tell policy.

Then again, in AZ you don't need a CCW to carry concealed in your car so long as it is in a holster, your glove box, or console.

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A number of people here have mentioned putting their hands on the steering wheel. Another bit of advice that I was told by a cop friend years ago is: if it nighttime, turn on the car's dome light then put your hands on the wheel.

Has worked for me everytime: i've gotten more warnings than tickets. One time a cop even asked me if I had cops in my family because I had turned the dome light on. If I am forced to interact with the police, I want to get it over with as soon as possible; anything I can do to make them more comfortable should aid in that goal.

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Do what he said, except I'd be very careful about taking the gun out and putting it on the dash. First thing the cop might see is the gun. I'd leave it hidden, pull over, shut the engine off, take out my documents, keep them between two fingers, put my hands on the steering wheel palms up after rolling the window down.

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I would agree with the first two points here. As to "Safe Passage", your CCW will either have reciprocity in that state or it won't. If your in a non reciprocity state your CCW won't mean squat and your loaded gun may just land you in the back of the cruiser for a slight detour. Carry at your own risk in non reciprocity states. A friend of mine now has a felony from Kalifornia (just inside the state line) even though he was legal in Nevada.

I would also recommend that you NEVER remove your gun from it's place of concealment unless the LEO asks you. The last thing you want is for them to see a gun in your hand (even if only to put it on the dash) especially before they know you are legally carrying.

I like the dome light advice. Great whether you carry or not. The sooner it's over, the better for everyone. Bx3

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Always check the laws in any state you will driving through. Gun-unfriendly states generally don't allow any loaded firearms in your car. The gun must be in a lockable gun case or trunk separate from any ammunition. In this situation, I would not feel compelled to say anything to the cop if pulled over.

Safe passage laws apply to anyone who can legally own a firearm, not just CCW permit holders.

Re: Concealed Weapons Questions
 

The best way to let the cop know you are carrying when you are stopped is to roll down the window and fire off a few rounds up in the air, which lets them know you are qualified............J/K!

If you get stopped and you are carrying, do what everyone else says, place your hands on the wheel and tell the officer. Some officers will hang onto the gun while they are writing you a ticket, and hand it back to you unloaded with the bullets seperate, which might be a little inconvenient, but it's safe.

I love it when I get legal people carrying, wish EVERYONE that was qualified would take the class and carry, so maybe a few of these thugs terrorizing the streets would get picked off by the good people they try to rob.