Scootsmo got me to thinkin.

[rdp]

Well, unfortunately there are cops out there that don't have a clue. It comes down to a poor desire to learn law.

If I encounter a person legally carrying, sure I may disarm them depending upon the circumstances. If it is a simple traffic stop, it will depend on where it is going. I encounter armed good people every now and then. They are good people and treated as such. To say there should be a "set" protocol is ridiculous. Every situation is different and we must adapt accordingly.

[Norm357]

Hey, I've got this gun here..." as the guy holds it up to display it.

ROFLMAO, I can picture that happening!

[Ghost 1]

IMH non leo opinion, it would be safer to keep the weapon holstered during the encounter.

Sorry Norm,gotta disagree with you here. If the person has the weapon in a holster on his person,that kinda defeats the purpose of the whole officer safety thing doesn't it? ;)

I can only speak for myself,but I have studied,fired,or owned almost every brand of weapon on the market today. I have made it my business to be knowledgeable of as many firearms,and their different methods of operation as possible. No,I don't know it all,but I haven't had a problem yet. And if I do,I have no problems with asking someone how to safely unload it,while I am in possesion of the weapon mind you. One thing I want to avoid is any mistaken intentions. And the person on the recieving end doesn't want to be considered a threat. So,it is best if the officer has possesion of the weapon.

I have never had a problem with a law abiding CCW holder that didn't want me to secure a weapon before. They understood my issue of officer safety. It works out best for everyone. Look at it like this..........short scenario: I receive a call of a man with a gun. I arrive on scene and find you,who fits the description of the person who supposedly has a gun. I walk up to you,with backup of course,and detain you for the purpose of investigating the call. I ask you if you have a weapon and you say yes. I ask you "Sir,for officer safety reasons I need you to place your hands on top of your head while I retrieve the weapon." And you say,"I think you need to leave it in the holster." Well,at that moment you become a major threat and I'll act accordingly.

The point I'm trying to make is most officers are competent enough to handle a weapon. So your best bet is to just let them do their job. It will save everyone involved a lot of grief. Sorry for the rant.

[txinvestigator1]

The point I'm trying to make is most officers are competent enough to handle a weapon. So your best bet is to just let them do their job. It will save everyone involved a lot of grief. Sorry for the rant.

I was with you until that statement. Most officers are NOT gun afficionadios. Mostg barely maintain profeciency with their own firearm, much less have any knowledge of how other weapons function.

That said, if you feel the need to disarm me, knock yourself out. Just don't treat me like a criminal. If you do, I will comply. But I will take every action lawfully available to me afterward.

[Ghost 1]

Most officers are NOT gun afficionadios.

Agreed. But I said most are competent enough to handle a weapon. Not that they are gun guru's. I understand where you are coming from. But really and truly,at least in my agency,that the majority of patrol officers are decent shooters. Its the old ROD's that I wouldn't trust.

DC:Why didn't you lock her up on the stop?

[JudgeDredd]

DC;
Excelent point.
Hanson;
The chief who's retireing (sp) is St. Louis County. The Chief who made the statement is St. Louis City, and he'll be there for another 10 to 20 years (lifetime appointment and he has one of the five votes needed to remove himself). The SLMPD lawyers, from what I understand, have already quashed the policy of confiscation. Mowka (the city chief) did publish an open letter in the paper on how he expects CCW holders to behave and what to do when they come into contact with one of his officers.

[Jynkxxie]

Jynkxxie said:


How about having the officers knowing the law. It would be a damn shame to have a permit holder hooked up like a mope because the officer is ignorant of the law.

Yeah that is not exactly the point I was making...but o.k. we will roll with it. Like I said, I have no problem with being disarmed. It is not worth the officer's fear. I have an LEO out there too ya know. And not everyone with a CCW is a law abiding citizen..Oh sure they are when they apply, but...Like I said, not worth the aggrivation. Now I don't think handcuffing me and putting me on the ground is acceptable. That is just overboard. On the other side of this..most people with CCW's are law abiding citizens...hence the disclosure laws..if they follow them should or would make me feel differently about the person I was stopping. Like I said, if they disclose..NBD, If they don't AND they have a CCW, then what makes them any different than those without a CCW that possess a weapon and going back to my original question....

Why should officers train any differently?...Anyone could kill you. Even those with a CCW. Treat every car as if the occupants have weapons in your head...proceed from there.

[Recondo]

In many states you are not issued a CCW permit until you have passed a certification course, these courses always address the issues of traffic stops by a LEO & other important issues, other then actual range time,etc. Yes this is not the case in some states who have issued CCW permits for a long time, but these states seem to have a great number of gun owners already & most likely, officers who grew up in that area,etc already know this, have family that have been raised around guns, the carry of guns,etc & are not as paranod as those LEO's who are simply unfamiliar with CCW holders in general.
In Wa. state, a CCW holder who is carrying, does not have to disclose to any officer that he is armed or is a permit holder - "unless" - he is asked specifically, but having said this, those I know here, including myself, always inform the officer of this, immediatley on contact by the officer or even at the request of any authority present, my hands are at 10 & 2 on the wheel & I move nothing untill I have been given permission by the officer to do so. This is the advice provided to me by many LEO friends when I obtained my permit, it has not failed me as of yet. My hope is, that my simple actions (or lack of) & discloser to the officer is more then polite, it is respectful & not likely to get me drawn on, pulled thru the window & cuffed & stuffed, no matter what traffic offense I may have done!

[codered]

Good definition there Ghost, i agree 100%. I have had numerous encounters with CCW holders, and i have handled the situation the same way you have. Norm, sorry to disagree with ya's , however, i'm goin to handle the weapon the way 'i' feel fit, not the way you would prefer..........my wife wants me home at the end of my shift.