ccw during routine traffic stop

[11bravo_2papa]

I work nights and drive home early in the morning after the bars close and there are alot of police out. I often carry and my question is what is the best thing to do if i get pulled over. Assuming i have committed no crime is it best to instantly devulge that fact that im carring or not? any opinions our better yet experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

[johnwilliamson062]

as long as you are legally carrying I think it depends on your state.
If not required I would not dvulge the info unless asked.
In Ohio you have to tell, and I do not mind that at all.
I wouldn't tell if you don't have to because I bet in states where it is not required LEO are not as aware of how common it is to have someone carrying.

 

[isanchez2008]

I live in a state where it is not required to tell. I do anyway and have not had any issues. When pulled over I don't say "I have my gun". What I have done in the past is hand my concealed pistol license over at the same time as my drivers license with the c.p.l. on top. This usually gets the response of "is there a loaded gun in the car?". To this I say "Yes sir, it is in a holster on my right hip". They usually just say not to pull it out. Although there was a young looking stater who I could tell was a little nervous but everything went smooth. Been pulled over a few times but no tickets. Keep your fingers crossed.

 

[Texas Solo]

It does vary from state to state. In Texas, you're only required to inform the officer IF YOU CARRYING AT THE TIME. However, he knows as soon as he runs your drivers license that you have a CHL. Then he says "why didn't you inform me?"
My CHL instructor said to always produce BOTH licenses, as a courtesy if nothing else.

 

[shortwave]

Like johnwilliamson,I`m in Ohio as well. Law here says tell your carrying and I believe its a felony if you don`t. Your state may vary (as you can see) but more than likely this may have been covered in your ccw class. I`ve been stopped at night when ccw`ing. I have lic. and cc permit out(in left hand) and ready with hands in plain view( on top of steering wheel) when LEO approachs vehicle. Puts cop more at-ease,makes his/her job easier and I don`t want to be an accident. Have never had a problem.

 

[ElectricHellfire]

My CHL instructor said to always produce BOTH licenses, as a courtesy if nothing else.

This is what I was told as well. I've only been stopped once since and I did exactly that. Still got a ticket.

 

[treo]

As has already been stated, you need to know your state law. I f you are legally required to inform, inform. Also as some others have said if you are going to inform the best way is to just hand over your CHP with the rest of your papers.

That said, if your state doesn’t require you to inform why would you? The criminals certainly won’t.
All informing does is give the cop one more task to accomplish before he/she can release you. I t also opens you up to all kinds of hassles if the cop you happen to inform is an anti. My rule is not to inform unless specifically asked.

 

[m.p.driver]

Live in OHIO and have been pulled over one time since i got my license 5 years ago.Before i could even hand both of my licenses over, the officer asked if i had a weapon in the truck.If youre a ccw holder it seems its entered with the BMV.So i asked him why i need the ccw card ?add it as an endorsement on the drivers license and save $55 every four years.His reply was more money for the great state of OHIO.As stated in an earlier response we're required to inform the officer that we are armed or face arrest.

 

[mskdgunman]

Fl has no requirement that you tell the officer about the weapon. However, as a cop, I always preferred it when folks told me about weapons in the vehicle or on their person. My reason was simple in that i don't like surprises. If the weapon is in the glove compartment and you happen to keep your registration/insurance I the same place, I'd like to know if before you open the glove compartment and have a weapon w/in reach.

If it's on your person, it's not a big deal (if you have a CWP) and I've probably stopped many folks who I never knew were carrying as I had no reason to get them out of the car or search them so it was not an issue. If I see you have a CWP, I'll probably ask if you are carrying. I'm not too worried about the foks that jump through the hoops to get CWP's although a couple of our local bad guys who have escaped the system so far have them too, so I err on the side of safety.

As has been pointed out, know your State laws and use common sense. Dont let an LEO get a glimpse of even a legaly carried weapon they don't know you have or have a permit for as the situation will immediately get rather tense. Even as an LEO, I have ALWAYS told any LEO's I was in contact with while off duty that I'm armed. Better safe then sorry and I can relate to their position.

 

[moccassins]

I've gotten a speeding ticket and never bothered to tell them I'm armed or that I have a license to carry, if they don't ask I don't volunteer

 

[Creature]

Here in VA there is no duty to inform LE during a traffic stop...despite what some local LEO's may try to tell you. My CCW # is attached to my DL# in the computer. And its is pretty easy to run a plate before even approaching a vehicle. So there is no reason for a LEO to be surprised when a CHL holder is packing. I have already had to spell it out once for a local LEO. I was polite. But I was right. And she knew she hadn't done her homework.

This is why I do not inform. I wont do their job for them.

 

[McM1900]

I live in Ohio. By law a CHL holder must inform the LEO if he is armed. Failure to inform is a felony.

I travel a lot in PA as well. In PA there is no duty to inform. The only time in my life that I was pulled over I informed out of courtesy and not being 100% sure of the PA law. I was spread hands-out over the hood of my car, frisked by the officer, and my bag searched, given a third degree interrogation by Barney Fife, and had my private sale pistols ran through the PA gun registration system.

I will never ever inform again unless required by law. Ever.

 

[happy1]

I live in Arizona and have a CCW we are required to inform the officer we have a loaded weapon in our car or on our person when we are stopped. But I would even if I wasn't required to do so, I like so many others I don't like surprises either. My Wife got into an accident last year when she informed the officer that she had a loaded weapon on her and showed him her CCW he was surprised, He told her that many people don't tell the police when they are required too.

 

[shortwave]

McM1900, unless you have PA permit be careful traveling there. Don`t believe they(PA ) recognize`S Ohio ccp.

 

[44 AMP]

Courtesy can lead to a hassle

but by the same token, not informing the officer can lead to getting shot (worst case).

All informing does is give the cop one more task to accomplish before he/she can release you. I t also opens you up to all kinds of hassles if the cop you happen to inform is an anti. My rule is not to inform unless specifically asked.

Not informing does one more thing, it tells the cop you are not being open and upfront with him. Officers are trained to "control the situation". And officer safety is a paramount issue. Telling the officer (handing them the permit, along with your drivers license) lets them know what the situation is, and they can "control" it easily. The permit gives them the heads up that you are not hiding anything, and therefor less likely to be a risk. Lots of times, they will just say "don't touch it", or something like that.

Not informing them, and haveing them discover it (see it) means they instantly assume the worst, simply for their own safety. Yes, you could be hassled by an officer with an anti-ccw agenda, but balance that against having a nervous (and maybe scared) cop draw down on you because he saw a gun.

I would inform the officer right away, and ask them how they wish you to proceed. Let them control the situation, and odds are they will feel better about it, thereby reducing your risk. You might still get the ticket, but to my mind, thats a lot better than a possibly fatal misunderstanding.

 

[JasonG]

Ga doesn't require that you in form, but I often do.
My neighbor and I were out for our morning walk. A "black & white" rolled up and asked what we were up to. I stated "I'm carrying, 1 o clock." With my hands half raised. The LEO replied "got a permit?" my neighbor said "yep, so do I, mines SOB."
The oficer relaxed down into her seat and we chatted for a few.
My point is, always show respect for the LEO. Its better they find out early.
My work brings me into contact with a lot of officers. I usually inform when it quiet.
One knight after securing a building after a breakin, I told the investigating officer I was armed and permited. He told me "just keep it holstered." I think he was a bit suprised though when the other 3 guys an 1 gal all started pointing to various places and asking "do you need to see our permits" !!!!
However YMMV, this is Ga not Il,Oh,etc.

 

[David Armstrong]

However, as a cop, I always preferred it when folks told me about weapons in the vehicle or on their person. My reason was simple in that i don't like surprises.

AFAIK, that has been the nearly unanimous viewpoint of LEOs in the field. you may not have to tell under the law, but it is important to keep the friendly LEO friendly. Failing to tell us about things like that can create some questions about you, rightly or wrongly. As Jason said, it is a matter of respect.

 

[Creature]

So not telling automatically makes me disrespectful?...which in turns changes how I should be "dealt with"?

 

[David Armstrong]

So not telling automatically makes me disrespectful?...which in turns changes how I should be "dealt with"?

Having read through this thread twice now, I'm not aware of anyone who has said anything close to that.

 

[Creature]

but it is important to keep the friendly LEO friendly. Failing to tell us about things like that can create some questions about you, rightly or wrongly. As Jason said, it is a matter of respect.

then what does this mean ?