Have you been stopped w/CCW?

[RunningOnMT]

A comment on another thread prompts this question. If you have ever been stopped by the police while carrying a legally licensed CC weapon , what has been your experience? How were you treated? What did you do as the officer approached to let him/her know you were armed?

[ponycar17]

I have never been stopped or addressed by a police officer while carrying but I can tell you the way I believe that most of them would like to be notified (just an opinion). I would wait until they are at my window and then tell them that I am a concealed weapons permit holder who is currently armed. Then, wait for the officer to make the next request.

Never, ever, under any circumstances get out of the vehicle (unless requested to do so), fumble for your wallet or your glove box, concealed weapon, keys or anything as the officer approaches your vehicle. The ideal situation would be that when you are first stopped, you roll down your window (front and back, especially if they're tinted), turn off the vehicle, lay your keys on the dash and show both of your hands on the left side of the steering wheel. This makes an officer's sense of safety MUCH higher and decreases the likelihood that you will be given a hard time. At least that's that way I was taught by police officers back when I thought I wanted to be one.

This tactic of telling the officer first would also apply in the event you live in a state where carry in your vehicle is allowed. Officers do not like surprises!

[RunningOnMT]

Originally Posted by ponycar17

I have never been stopped or addressed by a police officer while carrying but I can tell you the way I believe that most of them would like to be notified (just an opinion). I would wait until they are at my window and then tell them that I am a concealed weapons permit holder who is currently armed. Then, wait for the officer to make the next request.

Never, ever, under any circumstances get out of the vehicle (unless requested to do so), fumble for your wallet or your glove box, concealed weapon, keys or anything as the officer approaches your vehicle. The ideal situation would be that when you are first stopped, you roll down your window (front and back, especially if they're tinted), turn off the vehicle, lay your keys on the dash and show both of your hands on the left side of the steering wheel. This makes an officer's sense of safety MUCH higher and decreases the likelihood that you will be given a hard time. At least that's that way I was taught by police officers back when I thought I wanted to be one.

This tactic of telling the officer first would also apply in the event you live in a state where carry in your vehicle is allowed. Officers do not like surprises!

That seems like pretty sound advice and pretty consistent with what we were taught in CCW class. My instructor said don't be surprised if you get your handgun back unloaded and field stripped. Just wondered how this approach is received by officers in actual circumstances.

[oscarmayer]

i've been stopped and did not volunteer any information. i was never asked to exit the car. i did nothing until approched by the officer who asked me for license, proof of insurence . had i been asked to step out of the car i would of informed the officer i was carrying a gun. being a old fart helps i think . now had i been a backward hat wearing hip hop type of guy i might been asked if there was anything in the car that the officer needed to worry about and asked if i minded a search.

[RunningOnMT]

Originally Posted by oscarmayer

i've been stopped and did not volunteer any information. i was never asked to exit the car. i did nothing until approched by the officer who asked me for license, proof of insurence . had i been asked to step out of the car i would of informed the officer i was carrying a gun. being a old fart helps i think . now had i been a backward hat wearing hip hop type of guy i might been asked if there was anything in the car that the officer needed to worry about and asked if i minded a search.

You must believe in living dangerously. I prefer to keep my face off of the pavement.

[oscarmayer]

avoids alot of bs. had i volenteered the information the 1000 questions would of started.there are more than few copper that feel as if one should not have the right to carry. why volunteer anything to anyone is my motto. if asked... be truthful, but never volunteer lol i learned that while in the employ of my uncle sam

[carver]

Once, I was pulled over for speeding by a TX State Trouper. I exited the car with my drivers license and CCW in hand, between the two cars and off to safe side. When the officer looked at my ID, he asked if I was carring, and I told him that I was. He then wanted to know why I was over the speed limit, and I explained that we were a little lost, and looking for an alternet route. We had been looking at a map, and that because of that I had just missed the lower speed limit sign. He informed me that the road I wanted was just behind us, and he held traffic for us so we could make a U turn, and we were on our way. No ticket, and a very pleasurable experience with a knowledge man.

[ponycar17]

oscarmayer, in most states you're required to inform LEOs if you're carrying concealed when addressed by them. Acting appropriately helps your chances of having a pleasant experience... After all, as I was explained, a cop would rather know that you have been thoroughly background checked than to have to wonder. A CWP shows that you have some level of respect for the law. In SC, you used to have to announce that you were a CWP holder when stopped even if you weren't carrying. The purpose of the law *supposedly* was to relieve the police officer that may have stopped you at 3:00 AM on a back road by the fact that you had a clean background. The law was changed as people said they felt it unfair.

[oscarmayer]

glad i dont live in a state with those requirements. i happen to live in a state that doesn't allow ccw.however there are exceptions, and "special permiting" . which allows me to "carry" . and my permit does not require me to volunteer information. but again i stress if asked or if asked to step out of the car i would inform the officer there was a gun in the car.

[mrkirker]

I have been.
After the officer approached my window and BEFORE I began looking for all of the requested documents, I informed him of my situation. He thanked me, and I proceded as he directed.
No big deal.

[45nut]

I have been stopped more than once. I was told in class to give my CCL with my drivers license and my insurance. All they've ever done was to ask if I was carrying and where the gun was located. I have only told them about one gun. I have never told them about the back-up in my little carry bag.

I don't reach around for my information until asked even if I meet the officer at the back of my truck. I wait for him to approach and ask for my information, then I reach into my pocket and give him my DL and CCL.

One time I met the officer at the back of my truck, he again asked where my gun was followed quickly by the admonition, "Don't reach for it"

[Terry_P]

In NH there is no requirement to inform a LEO of a CCL or if you are carrying. I haven't been stopped in many years but the NH State Police are an professional group doing a tough job that treat you with respect. I wouldn't have a problem informing them.

[TEXAS 1957]

I have been stopped twice in the 13 years of carrying. In Texas it is required to show both your dl and ccw at the same time if you are with your weapon. Both times I had my ccw on top of the dl and the officers asked if I had my weapon with me. Neither asked where it was they just wanted to know if I had it. No hassle, just courtesy. You want polite be polite. I have a brother in LE and they have a tough enough job that we do not need to complicate it.

[USMC-03]

I have never been stopped while carrying a handgun. I did have one curious experience several years ago when I was rear ended during my lunch break from work. There was minimal damage and probably wouldn't have reported it but I was borrowing one of my parents that day (mine was in the shop as I recall). I presented my identification and other information but said nothing about my permit since I don't carry on the job, and while the officer was writing the report he told my that he'd been informed that I was a CCW holder and asked if I had a firearm on me or in my car. I told him no and that was the end of it. The incident still sent up a red flag; somehow a list of CCW holders in my state is tied into the LE or DMV computer system. I've never followed up on this tidbit but have always been curious about it.

[Marlin]

There is no requirement to show the permit or inform the officer. The last time I was stopped I didn't mention it and it never came up. The CCP is in my badge case with the DL and I am sure he saw it. It was a polite and very business like conversation.

Our permits here are issued by DPS and bear the same number as the DL. Any officer making a check from his vehicle would have that information as part of the check.

I have been carrying daily since 1960, been stopped many times over the years and the subject has never come up except in one case where an officer wanted to see my gun since he was interested in buying one like it, and that was back in the mid-sixties.

[Insulation Tim]

I just received my CC Permit in Ohio. At the class I took, we were told that if stopped, explain to the office right off that you have a CC Permit and you have a loaded/unloaded gun in the vehicle. You then ask the officer what to do.

Apparently, the CCW permit in Ohio is noted on your DMV report that the office is pulling on you.

My experience is that if you treat an individual with courtesy, they will respond in kind.

[Crpdeth]

Many times

I make a point to have my ID (DL, CCL, and Ins) cards on the dash before the Officer is at my window. If it is night time I will have my interior light on as well, both hands on top of the steering wheel, only removing one hand long enough to hand him my ID cards, then replacing it on the wheel. I think this shows the officer that I already know that he may feel a little insecure about my weapon and that he has nothing to worry about...

I have only received one seat belt ticket since I started carrying, since I was only going a few blocks over to the next job, I hadn't bothered with it... This was a new DPS officer and not one of our guys at the local PD who are always extremely friendly.

One Officer stopped me for speeding and asked me "Haven't I stopped you before?" LOL my response was, that yes he had, on this very street, for speeding, about a month ago... I had left the glove box open and he saw a plastic case with my 25-06 handloads and began to talk about hunting, then let me go with a warning.

Sometimes I hate this small town, but times like these give me a good feeling about it.


Crpdeth

[gdmoody]

I have been stopped several times since CCW issued (usually speeding). Did not offer information about carrying weapon. When I am in my car the weapon is not on my side but in an area where I can get it quickly if needed. It is legal in Georgia to have loaded weapon in your vehicle. I have never been asked to step of of my car, if I am ever asked then I will tell about the weapon.

The only problem that I can think of is - if I am asked if I have a weapon in my vehicle, I don't now where to begin. Do I start with the knife in the glove compartment, the bayonet under the seat, the machete in the trunk, or do I just tell him about the pistol?!?

Every time I have been stopped, I have done pretty much what ponycar suggested. I do not put the keys on the dashboard but I do keep my hands on the steering wheel until the officer asks for license. This action stems from when I lived in Nashville many years ago where there was a case of a person being shot by a rookie officer while reaching for his billfold.

[Pistolenschutze]

While I've never been stopped while carrying a handgun, I have had many students who were police officers and I've asked them what the proper response should be. Even though my state does not require me to disclose I'm carrying unless the officer asks, every LEO I've talked to has told me it is best to disclose that fact up front when the officer approaches. For one thing, the LEO, if he's run your plates, probably already knows you have a CCW because it shows up on his in-car computer. The officers I've talked to all said they feel much more comfortable if the "stopee" tells them up front that he's armed. I can see the reasoning there. Anyone who intended to act violently would be very unlikely to disclose freely that he's carrying.

[21bravo]

Originally Posted by ponycar17

.... in most states you're required to inform LEOs if you're carrying concealed when addressed by them....

i was checking on the necessities to obtain a ccw here in nc the other day and was informed that, if you are stopped the ccw goes to the LEO with license, and registration, and you specify if your carrying or not. and if you do not hand over your ccw permit and say yea or nay about being armed the permit can be revoked on the spot..

[ponycar17]

Originally Posted by 21bravo

i was checking on the necessities to obtain a ccw here in nc the other day and was informed that, if you are stopped the ccw goes to the LEO with license, and registration, and you specify if your carrying or not. and if you do not hand over your ccw permit and say yea or nay about being armed the permit can be revoked on the spot..

Yep, that's why you have to be mindful of the particular state's laws. In SC, you just have to acknowledge that you're a permit holder if you're carrying at the time. It didn't use to be that way. It used to be the way you're describing for NC.

[pickenup]

Picture a grizzled old biker looking dude. Out for a putt on his hog. Leathers, but no colors. Kicks the stand out, and leans the bike over, steps off the bike and waits for the state patrol officer to approach.

Officer asks for the usual paperwork. Sees the "permit" in the wallet when DL is removed. Asks if I'm armed, gets an affirmative. Asks where it is, told him on the right hip. Says to keep hands away from it, I said OK. That was it.

He asks why I was speeding, so I told him that I would not ride behind a gravel truck that was loosing gravel. I asked him if HE would ride behind that truck. (he was riding a Harley too) he said he wouldn't. Still gave me a ticket.

[cycloneman]

I've had my chp for a good 14 or 15 years now. In that time I've gotten a few speeding tickets. I find it best to immed have your drivers lisc and chp together and hand it to them. Keep your hands where he can see them. Immed his nerves are calmed down. One time I had a cop actually want the gun. He took it to his car while he wrote me the ticket. Once he gave me the ticket he then gave me the gun back. Then he handed me the bullets. I thought that was cute. Had to laugh.

[kevinleif37]

i've been the officer before-worst was this one guy who was stopped at a light, i asked him if he didn't mind buckling his seat belt and he says "i can't"...asked him why not-his reply was "'cause then i won't be able to get to this" as he shows me his holstered gun...thank god i just happened to catch his badge right before the gun appeared-gave a nice scare (and nice phone conversation with his watch commander later on)

[bcj1755]

Originally Posted by 21bravo

i was checking on the necessities to obtain a ccw here in nc the other day and was informed that, if you are stopped the ccw goes to the LEO with license, and registration, and you specify if your carrying or not. and if you do not hand over your ccw permit and say yea or nay about being armed the permit can be revoked on the spot..

That's what I was told in my CHP class also. In NC, we are required to inform a LEO immediately and then show our DL and CHP if asked. I've only had to disclose one time to a LEO, it wasn't a traffic stop, I was outside my vehicle, the pistol was inside my vehicle. I informed the officer that I had a pistol concealed in the vehicle and I had a valid CHP, he just shrugged and said something to the effect of, "That's cool. Don't worry about it." I will say that i know quite a few of the local county PD officers here and they all love it when citizens own firearms because it "makes their job eaiser." One of them even told me it was great that I was applying for a CHP.