How to handle contact with CCW?

[OCResident]

This question is to help settle a dispute on a different board and is particularly for those LEO's in states where CCW (permit to Carry Concealed Weapons) are very rare - i.e. Southern California. While the same approach may be best in all states, your average LEO in SoCal, for example, has probably never had contact with a CCW holder, and may have never even seen one - meaning that there may be a believability factor that is not present in "shall issue" states.

What is the best way to initiate contact and notify the officer that you are legally carrying a weapon?

A) Hand over the CCW with your driver's license as soon as contact is made, wait for officer to read it (while keeping hands on steering wheel) then ask him what he/she would like you to do next

B) As soon as the officer walks up, verbally notify the officer that you are carrying a gun and that you have a CCW, then notify the officer that you're going to reach in your left pocket to obtain your license and CCW

C) Something else

[Edit just to be clear]: The question is not whether or not to notify the LEO, but rather how best to do it.

Not to be too demanding, but if you could state whether you're in a CCW "shall issue" state (or at least if they're at all prevalent) and whether you work in a high crime area or not that would be appreciated (and might mean different answers).

Thank you. Hopfully we will have some good answers that will be helpful to a number of people.

[Citicop]

I think that politely, calmly, and rationally informing the officer of your status as a ccw holder and the fact that you are armed at the beginning of the contact is a good idea and just plain common sense. It doesn't make any difference to me personally whether it is done verbally or by handing me the card.

IMPORTANT NOTE

To avoid surprises, (always a bad thing for everybody on a traffic stop) avoid handling the situation like THIS GUY did...

I made a traffic stop on a busy street at about 0100 hours in the morning. I approach the vehicle (an SUV) and begin my traffic stop speech (reason for the stop, etc..) I then ask for the driver's license and insurance paperwork.

The driver says, "I've got a gun..." and starts to reach down between the seats. (This was before our CCW law.)

I responded by putting MY gun in his ear and ordering him loudly to place his hands back on the steering wheel. He did so with some surprise, while shouting, "I'm DEA, I'm DEA!"

After we got everything sorted out, it turned out he WAS a special agent with the DEA. I strongly advised him to START with "I'm DEA" and then lead into "I'm armed" on the next stop.

I advise the same thing for CCW holders. START with "I have a concealed carry permit", and then move into "The pistol is in a holster on my right hip" (or whatever).

Follow the instructions of the officer. It's his stop. I have personally been disarmed during a traffic stop by a Missouri State Highway Patrolman. (I was a passenger in the vehicle.) I didn't like it, but it was his stop, and I complied with the way he wanted it done.

I'm from Missouri, which is now a "Shall Issue" state.

Hope that helps-

Citicop.

[LA5150]

While keeping your hands out in plain sight (preferably on top of the steering wheel), notify the officer immediately that you have a concealed weapon and permit for it. Tell the officer exactly where it is, without reaching to show them.

The officer will then advise you what he/she wants you to do. If he/she asks for your license, etc, that is not permission for you to relax. It just means you should move slowly and carefully to get those items, and it would be a good idea to keep one of your hands up on the steering wheel while doing so (if possible).

I have been stopped while off-duty a few times, and I am always careful to behave in the manner I just described. I have also stopped other officers from different agencies, and they do the same.

And as to your "qualifications" request: I work in the city of Los Angeles, and have worked some of the most infamous battle zones out here, such as Watts.

[phantasm]

NYS you must present your license upon request, but its not a must tell.
I'm going to assume everyone I stop has a gun, and do what I have to do to go home at the end of tour.

Different actions will escalate my level of force that I use during the car stop.

[Kimble]

The driver says, "I've got a gun..." and starts to reach down between the seats.

This same thing happened to me with a DUI at my last department. Everything turned out okay (i.e. no extra holes in me or suspect)... but it definitely could have gone a lot smoother.