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SirGeorgeKillian
Senior MemberSovereign SCPosts: 5,463 Senior Member
A spin on getting pulled while carrying (Oh Scott, an idear for your show!)

We have all had advice on what to do if you are driving and get pulled over. But what should you do if you are in the passenger seat and carrying? For your normal run of the mill stop, it should be a moot point unless the officer specifically asks if anyone in the car has any weapons. Because your normal run of the mill stop is you get pulled, the cop comes and gets your license, registration and proof of insurance, then walks back, writes you a ticket, then comes back and gives you a ticket and gives you your belongings back. What if there is a second officer who approaches from the passenger side? Or, as I have seen many local LEO do on busy highways, approaches from the passenger side to begin with.
We are taught to keep our hands on the steering wheel, in plain sight, but where do we put them when we are the passenger?
Just a little food for thought......
What say ye?
We are taught to keep our hands on the steering wheel, in plain sight, but where do we put them when we are the passenger?
Just a little food for thought......
What say ye?
Unless life also hands you water and sugar, your lemonade is gonna suck!
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Replies
Under any relatively normal circumstances, with a cop that doesn't appear to be on the ragged edge of losing control, it's probably best to inform him as calmly as possible that you're carrying legally, and try to follow his directions from there.
Jerry
I always had over both at the same time....whether it's required or not...
I understand state law comes into play as well.
What is worse, telling the officer you are armed out of courtesy, or holding off on the chance that he won't even ask the passenger. I know you don't have to say anything if the law says you don't but I always made it a practice to do that even if just because cops tend to be nicer when they aren't surprised or caught off guard...
You said it partner...
RULE #1: You NEVER EVER START OFF TELLING THE OFFICER YOU'RE ARMED. YOU STATE THAT YOU HAVE A CONCEALED CARRY LICENSE and let that sink in before saying ANYTHING else. For goodness sakes NEVER start your conversations with "I have a gun" or "I'm armed"... this is almost guaranteed to begin an antagonistic encounter... at the start at least.
As a general rule, it's a GREAT idea to just pass your CWP over with your drivers license. Even if you're the passenger, that's not a bad idea IMO. Just have the driver state "Here are our licenses."
Luis
1. Be respectful and polite.
2. Never reach for ANYTHING without the officer telling you to.
3. Reach s...l...o...w...l...y... Not painfully slow, but be deliberate.
4. I hand over my permit with my license (it's not required in FL, but LEOs I know have advised me to.)
5. When the officer asks, reply in a calm tone that, "Yes, officer, I do have a firearm on me."
I did have my firearm taken when pulled over for a traffic stop, and had to get out of the vehicle, but the officer was a pro. He gave me a ticket (I deserved it) and told me to have a nice day.
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
A hint, if you have to take a traffic school, take a comedy one. They still stink, just not as bad.
But it depends on the area and officer. Barney Fife, or a police officer in the Overtown area of Miami will be more suspicious than an officer in more friendly locales.
:spittingcoffee: :rotflmao: :roll2:
Classic!!!!!
+ONE I hand them my carry license as I am handing them my drivers license. Stating that I have a conceal carry license.
"OK," he said, "go ahead and get your wallet and license." Everything went fine, he was very cool.
NRA Endowment Member
There was a story of a PA licensed carrier voluntarily gave his carry license along with his DL...to a Maryland cop (MD only recognizes MD licenses)! He accidentally crossed state line. Because of the weather, darkness, problems with signs, and the fact that the MD cop happened to grow up in PA, he escaped MD jail. I have also heard stories of guns being drawn and strained on people who informed cops that they are car. PA has no duty to inform. I will not volunteer the information unless I expect to have closer visual contact or physical contact (i.e expecting a pat down). I have heard first-hand report of people saying "if you don't mind, I do not wish to answer any questions" after being asked about firearms in the vehicle and the cop didn't press further. There was also a recent Ohio cop berating a licensed carrier for not informing him right off the bat, threatened to kill him: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/you-fu-with-me-cop-threatens-concealed-carry-gun-owner-during-traffic-stop/ . Ohio has duty to inform requirement, but with such a reaction, the cop was suspended after the video was reviewed.
While positive experiences by members here and negative experiences elsewhere are only anecdotal, I have so far concluded that it's a 50% chance of having a positive encounter. I don't like taking chances will only follow what is required by law when it comes to anything firearms related. When I was stopped at a DUI checkpoint a few years ago, I did not inform the officer until the point where he asked me to exit the vehicle. My exact words were, while keeping my hands completely visible, "Officer, I have a license to carry. I have my firearm on me right now. What would you like me to do?"
Al
In Texas, if you have a CHL and are carrying, when the officer asks you for ID you are required immediately to inform that you're carrying and have a license. I've found it a good idea to mention that right away, regardless of the situation. Makes the LEO feel more at ease. I guess that would apply, driver or passenger.
There's very little you can do about the occasional "black glover" cop out there, but giving all the info up front can't hurt.
I've been stopped several times for speeding in the past few years (I'm a pretty, er, "brisk" driver). None has been late night, no alcohol, just driving to work or out & around on a Saturday.
No tickets yet. I'm friendly, non-argumentative, and let the LEO know I'm carrying and where. Of course my license & insurance is checked but the conversation then turns to "keep it down a bit, okay?" and "what sort of pistol are you carrying? how does it shoot?" etc.
LEOs I know tell me that having a "100 Club"** sticker in your window and having a CHL are both "good guy" marks that give you a bit of a break. Of course you can't be drunk or going 124mph or driving over schoolchildren, but minor speeding, you may luck out.
** "The 100 Club" is a long term Houston charity that helps families of LEOs or firefighters who die in the line of duty. That $100 annual sticker fee is a good investment because it's a genuine good charity and the sticker is a nice plus.
There are however general truths to be followed regardless: Never make sudden movements. Keep your hands visible. Be nice. And if you DO disclose to the cop you're carrying, don't then say, "Here, let me show you!" and reach for the pistol. D'oh!
No, of course not. But as soon as the attention was turned to you, sure. Otherwise, if you keep quiet and then for any reason the cop wants you to get out of the car, spots the gun, you'll end up face-first in the dirt. Makes sense to give the LEO the necessary info up front.
Even better than that, simply hand the Officer your CCW and Driver's license, CCW on top, and verbalize nothing untill asked.
And even better, don't ride around with mental midgets.
Better to sit still and when you're addressed, volunteer the info only, still not moving until asked to. let the LEO initiate the movement. That's what they seem to prefer.
I am not talking about doing anything except have your ID's ready, Any LEO would rather those be ready and in hand by the time he or she approaches.