Citizens with Firearms Permits

[jayxtrek]

How should a private citizen, who has a valid concealed carry permit, and who is carrying, act when pulled over for a traffic infraction? Should he/she disclose this info immediately to the officer or just be quiet and accept their traffic ticket? I had once been told to inform an officer that "I had a valid permit and was carrying", but it just seems to cause immediate angst.

[George]

Always best to tell them that you're licensed and carrying. ;).

If I am ever carrying a weapon (any kind) in my vehical and get pulled over, I will tell the officer what I have and where it is located.

[121Traffic]

I would tell them. Some places actually require it.

I know, I know...some might state that I don't HAVE to do it, but I do it as a matter of courtesy. I don't take it personally that some LEOs might be a bit apprehensive about armed citizens...everyone was brought up with different beliefs. Maybe the cop is from an area (Chicago, DC, wherever) that totally bans civilian carry, and the idea is very foreign to him. I will always let the LEO know right off the bat. At the very least, I will tell him if he's going to run me through CCIC/NCIC. Even when I'm not carrying, I'll tell him I am a permit holder. Why? Because if he runs me, my permit comes up...at least in this state it does. I don't want to have him find out from the computer and then have to go through the somewhat unnerving task of facing me, not knowing where the gun is, or whether I even have it. I am not obligated to tell him, but I will just to put his mind at ease. Some may not even care, but others will appreciate it. Officer Safety is important...I am all for having one less thing for the officer to worry about, and when I'm sworn, I would like to have the same courtesy.

Traffic stop and I'm carrying? How about "Officer, before anything else, I just want you to know that I am CCW, and my firearm is on my right hip...it is a Glock 22 in an outside the waistband holster. I am just letting you know because I have to reach into my right pocket in order to get my wallet, where I keep my ID and permit." Wouldn't want to risk not telling him and then having his cover see the gun when you move towards your wallet.

Even when not carrying. "Officer, just to let you know, when you run my DL, you will see that I am a CCW-holder. At this time, I am NOT carrying a firearm." I wouldn't go so far as to let the officer pull me out and make sure via a patdown or anything, but it is a simple gesture to acknowledge the dangers of his job, and to let him know that you are on the same team. Kind of a "Hey, don't worry man, there's no unknown weapon in this scenario."

Some officers may or may not want to secure the weapon before conducting business...don't know how I feel about that yet. Depending on the situation, I might let him if I feel that the area doesn't present as much of a threat as another. A crowded mall while taking my statement as a witness to a purse-snatching, sure. An alleyway at 2am as a witness to a B&E? Probably not. I've never been asked though, so I can't comment with any sort of authority...

I find that all LEOs I know on a personal basis are CCW supporters, and appreciate my way of doing things. They don't want to infringe on anyone's rights, and can see the value of a trained, armed citizen, but they can't deny they feel more at ease knowing as much as they can about a scenario. Just knowing where the gun is usually suffices.

[rdp]

It actually annoys me when I stop a person and during the records check I find out the have a CCW. I then confront them if they are carrying and they answer they are. We have a discussion over being courteous and telling the officer when you are stopped and I cite them for the PC concerning the stop (usually).

[Scruit]

Ohio requires you to notify the LEO. Just word it more like; "I have a CCW Permit and I am carrying at this time." not "I've got a gun..."

[Norm357]

My carry permit is taped to the back of my DL. So if I get stopped I just hand them both over and inform the officer I am carrying.

[121Traffic]

That is a pretty good idea Norm!

[txinvestigator1]

In Texas, if you have a CHL and are carrying you must inform the LEO that you are carrying. The fact that you have a CHL will be revealed to the LEO when your DL is checked. Failure to notify is an offense.

[Scruit]

Stupid question... As stated above, if you have a permit but are NOT carrying at the moment, is it a) required and/or b) a good idea to tell the officer that you are a permit holder but not carrying.

[Jynkxxie]

Stupid question... As stated above, if you have a permit but are NOT carrying at the moment, is it a) required and/or b) a good idea to tell the officer that you are a permit holder but not carrying.

LOL I would...

Wouldn't want to wait for him to return to the car, after running my DL, and thinking that I do have a gun on me and didn't tell him.

[cecilVA]

Stupid question... As stated above, if you have a permit but are NOT carrying at the moment, is it a) required and/or b) a good idea to tell the officer that you are a permit holder but not carrying.

I would tell 'em. Why not? Its not going to hurt you at all. If anything the officer may appreciate being upfront about it.

[txinvestigator1]

Stupid question... As stated above, if you have a permit but are NOT carrying at the moment, is it a) required and/or b) a good idea to tell the officer that you are a permit holder but not carrying.

A) no, in Texas

B) sure

[saratoga45]

I would tell them. Some places actually require it.

Traffic stop and I'm carrying? How about "Officer, before anything else, I just want you to know that I am CCW, and my firearm is on my right hip...it is a Glock 22 in an outside the waistband holster. I am just letting you know because I have to reach into my right pocket in order to get my wallet, where I keep my ID and permit." Wouldn't want to risk not telling him and then having his cover see the gun when you move towards your wallet.

Absolutely! This is exactly how I was taught to handle myself if I was ever pulled over when I was carrying. I would also make sure that my hands were visable at all times (ie on the steering wheel) until the officer told me it was ok to reach for my information or he/she gave me other instructions.

Whether its "required" or not, you should do it. Not just for the safety of the officer, but for your safety too. Its just courteous.

[Jynkxxie]

I always tell the dude/dudette that I am not taking my hands off the wheel until they instruct me to as well...whether I am carrying or not.