Duty to Inform law enforcement, CCW

[johndoe3]

ConcealedNation.org has a linked article to all 50 states (laws) and a nice graphic covering all 50 states, on a CCW carrier's duty to inform at first contact with law enforcement.

http://concealednation.org/2015/07/do-y ... e-answers/

[silencertalk]

Such a strange concept. If a bad guy wants to shoot the cop he will probably not care about the extra charge of failing to inform him.

[poikilotrm]

Such a strange concept. If a bad guy wants to shoot the cop he will probably not care about the extra charge of failing to inform him.

Laws aren't aimed at crooks, they are aimed at us.

[silencertalk]

It really makes no sense. A cop has to assume the possibility that everyone is armed. So if someone says they are armed, is the cop supposed to be more or less at ease with that information?

[JacksonBrowne]

3/4 of the times I've been stopped (in Texas) in the last few years the officer asked me to step out and disarmed me until the stop was complete. Only one of them could figure out the slide lock and mag release on a P7.

[doubloon]

3/4 of the times I've been stopped (in Texas) in the last few years the officer asked me to step out and disarmed me until the stop was complete. Only one of them could figure out the slide lock and mag release on a P7.

Wow. That sucks.

I get more than the average number of cop stops. Not only have I never been asked to get out of the car I've even been chastised before for not having a loaded gun on me "Doesn't do you any good if you don't have it.". Driving back from a day at the range all the guns were unloaded in the back of the truck.

[T-Rex]

In CT, you can tint every window on the largest SUV. But, on a tiny sportscar, the windows behind the driver, not including rear, can't be past 38%.
I could fit a lot more dangerous people in the rear of an SUV than a little Miata.

[RJT]

3/4 of the times I've been stopped (in Texas) in the last few years the officer asked me to step out and disarmed me until the stop was complete. Only one of them could figure out the slide lock and mag release on a P7.

Wow. That sucks.

I get more than the average number of cop stops. Not only have I never been asked to get out of the car I've even been chastised before for not having a loaded gun on me "Doesn't do you any good if you don't have it.". Driving back from a day at the range all the guns were unloaded in the back of the truck.

Same here. I've been getting stopped about 3 times a month(I live on the border), and I've informed them I am carrying. The few of times I've been asked to exit the vehicle, the DPS Trooper has only asked me to un-holster and exit, once they were at the back of whatever I'm driving.

[L1A1Rocker]

3/4 of the times I've been stopped (in Texas) in the last few years the officer asked me to step out and disarmed me until the stop was complete. Only one of them could figure out the slide lock and mag release on a P7.

That's strange. Most Texas cops are trained that unless you really feel the CHL holder is a threat, it is safer to NOT be handling an unfamiliar handgun on the side of the road - leave it alone. Sense 95, I've probably been stopped a half dozen times. I've NEVER been disarmed.

Maybe you've just got that kind of face.


Edit: Regarding telling the cop. Consider that the number one thing cops don't like on the side of the road are surprises. Weather they are good or bad surprises they don't want them, it throws off their stride and puts them in uncomfortable territory. By simply handing over your CHL, or in answer to being asked if you have a weapon on you, "I have a CHL, and I am carrying at this time" - you eliminate a surprise to that cop.


Edit again: Regarding being asked to get out. The only time I've seen this in person was do to safety - being too close to the road. When you pull over, pull WAY over. If possible pull over passed the shoulder and completely into the grass. Leave sufficient space that should it be needed, passing cars could safely drive by on the shoulder. The cop pulling you over will take that into consideration. And if it's dark, turn on your interior lights so the cop can see no one is hiding in the back seat. This is called "building good will".

[silencertalk]

In the police academy here the students are not told they should disarm people who are presumed to be legally armed.

[silencertalk]

If a cop asked me to get out of the car (which has never happened as far as I can remember), and I was armed, I would probably inform him - as he has a chance of being surprised by seeing it.

If I am just sitting in my car, I would never inform him (unless required). How would he see it? It is between my back and the seat.

Since I know I am not a danger to him, why make him extra concerned that I may be a danger because I am armed when I know I am not a threat?

And if a person were a threat, they also would not tell him. Hence the illogical nature of this requirement in some states.

It seems like something negotiated into the law as a compromise ("Well, I guess we can allow CCW, as long as you have to tell the police.")

[YugoRPK]

Ive never told a cop but Ive never been asked either. Even once when my car broke down and the cop gave me a ride in the back of the squad car AFTER going back to check my license and registration that were in the car. That was just an incompetent cop. In any case what do they mean By "special" in the case of California and New York? I know fora fact its not difficult to get a carry license in California if you live in the right county.

[T-Rex]

The last time I was pulled over, the officer asked if I had any weapons AFTER he'd already ran everything and was returning with the warning.

He was shocked that there was a loaded Glock between us and a loaded Kahr, under my hand, in the console.

Good exchange, though. He was a gentleman, as was I.

[doubloon]

...
Maybe you've just got that kind of face.


Edit: Regarding ...

Kind or color?

They also don't like it when you make them "chase" you and by chase I mean drive more than a few hundred feet before they see your brake lights and you moving to the side of the road or if you pull around a corner or into a parking lot before they get on the PA to tell you to move off the road.

Best thing to do is as soon as you notice them noticing you is pull over. If you can pull over before they turn on the lights they'll probably laugh and let you go.

ETA: engine off, lights on, window down, both hands on the wheel and eyes front ... don't be watching them walk up in the mirror, they look for you looking for them in the mirror

[silencertalk]

Oh, I thought that was you in your avatar.

[whiterussian1974]

Best thing to do is as soon as you notice them noticing you is pull over. If you can pull over before they turn on the lights they'll probably laugh and let you go.

ETA: engine off, lights on, window down, both hands on the wheel and eyes front ... don't be watching them walk up in the mirror, they look for you looking for them in the mirror

Excellent advise. They'll ? you about what you're doing and where you're going. Ask to search vehicle and if you've ingested any intoxicating substances or prescription meds. Then probably issue a Warning or Fix-It Ticket.

The 1 thing they pump into us during training: hands, hands, hands. Always be aware of Suspects' hands.

[whiterussian1974]

Whenever I get stopped I always turn on interior light b/f anything else. Then pull to side and turn on hazards. Then have ID in my right hand w left hand supporting above side view mirror. Zero chance of me having or using a weapon that way. It's also what some big cities like LA teach. Though small towns wonder just what the heck you're doing.

The reason that I have ID visible b/f he ever gets outside cruiser, I don't want him walking up the passenger side and seeing a holstered pistol on my right hip w mag pouches just forward.

I'd hate to have a 180-185gr slug ruin my day.