Routine Traffic Stop CC Notification

wrightd · July 22, 2008, 02:18 PM

What do you guys think about notifying an officer during a routine traffic stop that your're CCW carrying, even if the law does not require it ?

cnutco · July 22, 2008, 02:32 PM

I say no bother if concealed. Although, when I am in my car it is beside me in the open so I can get to it if needed. I have been stopped a couple of times and only one officer noticed. All he wanted to talk about was guns... He did ask if I had CCW permit. Which now in GA you can have a loaded gun in the car without. I even think you can conceal it in the car if desired... I think.

Stagger Lee · July 22, 2008, 02:48 PM

It's just a basic courtesy. Show it and you might get some back. Don't, and don't be surprised if you don't get any.

Seriously, why would you pass up an opportunity to let the officer know that of all the people that he's going to encounter today, you at least are not just some mutt and you've passed the background checks and training courses that a CCW requires?

LHB1 · July 22, 2008, 03:07 PM

In TX, you don't have a choice. You are required to tell an officer if you have a CHL and are carrying. Failure to do so could cost you your CHL if things go downhill.

Keltyke · July 22, 2008, 04:13 PM

I'd tell him. If you're legal, it won't hurt anything. If he gets you out of the car and your weapon prints, you'll be eating some asphalt.

In SC, if a cop asks for ID anywhere, anytime, for any reason, you must also present your CWP license and inform the officer you're carrying.

Keltyke · July 22, 2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Which now in GA you can have a loaded gun in the car without. I even think you can conceal it in the car if desired... I think.

In GA, your gun in the car may be concealed or exposed.

hoytinak · July 22, 2008, 04:43 PM

As stated in TX you are required to show your CHL with DL but only if you are carrying. I would do it even if it wasn't required though...it puts the LEO at ease some knowing that he is dealing with a law-abiding citizen that most likely doesn't want to do him any harm or do anything to lose his CHL. Plus I've gotten outta some tickets and gotten into some good discussions about firearms.

cnutco · July 22, 2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Quote:
Which now in GA you can have a loaded gun in the car without. I even think you can conceal it in the car if desired... I think.

In GA, your gun in the car may be concealed or exposed.

Thanks, Is it a law in GA that you have to tell if you are CCW? I understand the courtesy part, not a bad idea.

BillCA · July 22, 2008, 05:23 PM

In states where it is not required, I think it will depend on the jurisdiction of the stop. Some agencies are known to be less than friendly to CCW and this may be reflected in the way they handle those contacts.

A lot may depend on the demeanor of the individual officer. The one who appears at my window with a Gunny Sgt. Hartman attitude won't get the courtesy until I'm told to get out of the car. One who approaches and is professional or relaxed will often receive my CCW permit along with my license.

Alleykat · July 22, 2008, 07:45 PM

In Ga, you don't have to tell the officer if you're carryng. If I'm stopped for a general traffic violation, such as speeding, I'm not going to mention that I'm carrying, unless I happen to have my handgun stored in the glove box, and I need to retrieve documents from the glove box.

I don't consider it a courtesy to have a discussion with a l.e. officer about something that's none of his/her business, whether it's my handgun or the brand of tires that I'm using.

anythingshiny · July 22, 2008, 08:41 PM

nc requires notification...i cannot remember if wa state did, but i always informed quitely and politely with both hands on the wheel.

starshooter231 · July 22, 2008, 09:18 PM

Michigan requires you to inform if stopped. Even if it didn't I would inform the LEO for his safety and mine.

Toolman · July 22, 2008, 10:12 PM

I've never had to, but if/when I hand the LEO my drivers license & papers, I think I'd also include my CC handgun permit. That way he'd know I have a permit for what I'm carrying and I would decrease my chances of getting shot by a rookie LEO if he heard me say 'Officer, I have a handgun".
IMO, it just seems cleaner to hand them your CC permit at the same time.

HeroHog · July 22, 2008, 10:15 PM

Depends, I normaly do inform the officer as a courtesy but if I "read" them as "nervous", "probing" or "gung-ho", hell no. If they ASK, you bet!

Hedley · July 22, 2008, 11:00 PM

I don't ccl, but I do keep a pistol concealed in my center console. I was stopped a few weeks ago for running a yellow(didn't notice the light changed in the sunset) and the first thing I told the officer when he asked for my info was,"I have a loaded pistol holstered in my console. How do you want to deal with that?" He told me to leave it and asked for my license and insurance. After he ran everything, he thanked me for being up front and let me off with a warning.

Long story short- It sometimes pays to be nice.

ziggy222 · July 23, 2008, 04:48 AM

i was pulled over and the officer saw my carry permit in my wallet when i opened it to show him my drivers license.i was driving through wilkinsburgh,pa in alleghenny county.he asked to see my gun and at the time i did'nt even own a pistol.he asked me to step out and used a manuver that pulled my coat over my head to disable my arms with the coat twisted over my face and my arms stuck over my head so he could knock the wind out of me when he slammed me into the trunk of my car.he frisked me then took away my coat.i was set down on the sidewalk in frozen slush and water where i sat regaining my breath for 45 minutes.another car stopped and they went through my car together.my glove compartment under seats,they pulled my back seat out,they checked my trunk.guess what?no guns,no drugs,and no ticket,cause all i did was use a pay phone for directions cause i was lost while looking for my dates house to pick her up in monroeville.they then handed me a coat after 45 minutes.i asked if i could go and he said yeah,unless i wanted to make i big deal about it,then i could go to jail(on a friday after the bail bondsman closed he pointed out)and proove my innocense monday morning.i figure the only reason they want you to inform them of your weapon is so they can beet on you and have some fun.its your choice but if i'm carrying (i finally saved up and got my dream gun)and get pulled over,i'm not saying anything.if they want to search,i will then show my license before telling them,but only if they are going to find it in my car.i carry on my right side if i'm carrying on person so they cannot see it unless they come to the passenger side,in which case i'll show my permit before telling them.if i get pulled over in alleghenny county i'll call my girl friend and leave the phone on the dash so she can hear and witness.and if this ever happens again i will sue sue sue.

Kreyzhorse · July 23, 2008, 08:14 AM

In Kentucky, you are not required to notify an officer that you are carrying. However, if they run your license, that will indicate that if you have a CCW or not. While I've never been stopped, I think its a common courtesy and would certainly notify the officer.

cnutco · July 23, 2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

In Ga, you don't have to tell the officer if you're carryng. If I'm stopped for a general traffic violation, such as speeding, I'm not going to mention that I'm carrying, unless I happen to have my handgun stored in the glove box, and I need to retrieve documents from the glove box.

I don't consider it a courtesy to have a discussion with a l.e. officer about something that's none of his/her business, whether it's my handgun or the brand of tires that I'm using.

Thanks Alleykat, That is what my thinking was and is back to.

Again, thanks!

Brian Pfleuger · July 23, 2008, 11:56 AM

Required by law in NY....

ziggy222 · July 23, 2008, 11:08 PM

i'm sorry for such a negative post,it was something i had a right to be mad about.however not all my experiences have been bad.i was pulled over (for a blown tail light)and my insurrance/registration was in the glove compartment laying under my gun lol.what i did to keep him relaxed was i handed him my carry license,let him read it a second and said my stuff was in my glove compartment under my gun and i would feel more comfortable if he got it out for me,rather than handling the gun in front of him.he was very respectful of me and he got it out for me with my permission.he did run it 3 times and gave it back empty lol.he was very new.that was in calery,pa.the mayor is my old social studies teacher retired,and he expects his officers to be profesional.

Wildalaska · July 23, 2008, 11:58 PM

Its a matter of courtesy, common sense and maturity even if not required.

WildineedchocolatecakeandimgonnagetsomeevenifswmbotriestostopmeAlaska TM

Gestalt · July 24, 2008, 03:54 AM

In Texas you are required to tell the officer only if you are carrying. If you are stopped walking down the street this might mean something. However your CHL will show up when your license is run during a traffic stop so you might as well tell them up front.

Personally, I plan to tell them anyway. No reason to give the cop something to be concerned about. I’d rather tell them than to have them find out on their own.

grey sky · July 24, 2008, 06:10 AM

Only if asked here. Still I have reservations about surrendering my wepon to barrney to fumble with while soiling himself.

pony · July 28, 2008, 12:09 AM

I'm sure it goes without saying, that those who choose to reveal the fact they are carrying do so by handing the CHL to the officer. Reaching to get your license/ID whilst casually telling the officer "I have a gun" is not wise. I know this could be considered comical, but I'm being serious...

Here in TX it is the law to disclose your CHL when carrying. I always keep my mouth closed and hand the officer my CHL on top of my drivers license. After he has registered that I am carrying I wait to be spoken to. These guys have a job to do, a dangerous one at that. Extending a little courtesy seems the least we could do.

Alleykat · July 28, 2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Its a matter of courtesy, common sense and maturity even if not required.

yeahlikewritinglikeachildanddissingtikkas!

Just shows NY "mindset" upbringing! Nothing mature or courteous about it.

July 22, 2008, 02:18 PM	#1
wrightd Junior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Posts: 3	Routine Traffic Stop CC Notification What do you guys think about notifying an officer during a routine traffic stop that your're CCW carrying, even if the law does not require it ?

July 22, 2008, 10:15 PM	#14
HeroHog Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2008 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 486	Depends, I normaly do inform the officer as a courtesy but if I "read" them as "nervous", "probing" or "gung-ho", hell no. If they ASK, you bet! __________________ Speedy AKA: Hero Hog, Dr. Speed, "That fat, old, balding, Grey-bearded gimpy guy" *I don't have NEAR enough ammo on hand. `Nuff said.*

July 23, 2008, 04:48 AM	#16
ziggy222 Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2006 Posts: 184	i was pulled over and the officer saw my carry permit in my wallet when i opened it to show him my drivers license.i was driving through wilkinsburgh,pa in alleghenny county.he asked to see my gun and at the time i did'nt even own a pistol.he asked me to step out and used a manuver that pulled my coat over my head to disable my arms with the coat twisted over my face and my arms stuck over my head so he could knock the wind out of me when he slammed me into the trunk of my car.he frisked me then took away my coat.i was set down on the sidewalk in frozen slush and water where i sat regaining my breath for 45 minutes.another car stopped and they went through my car together.my glove compartment under seats,they pulled my back seat out,they checked my trunk.guess what?no guns,no drugs,and no ticket,cause all i did was use a pay phone for directions cause i was lost while looking for my dates house to pick her up in monroeville.they then handed me a coat after 45 minutes.i asked if i could go and he said yeah,unless i wanted to make i big deal about it,then i could go to jail(on a friday after the bail bondsman closed he pointed out)and proove my innocense monday morning.i figure the only reason they want you to inform them of your weapon is so they can beet on you and have some fun.its your choice but if i'm carrying (i finally saved up and got my dream gun)and get pulled over,i'm not saying anything.if they want to search,i will then show my license before telling them,but only if they are going to find it in my car.i carry on my right side if i'm carrying on person so they cannot see it unless they come to the passenger side,in which case i'll show my permit before telling them.if i get pulled over in alleghenny county i'll call my girl friend and leave the phone on the dash so she can hear and witness.and if this ever happens again i will sue sue sue. Last edited by ziggy222; July 23, 2008 at 06:26 AM.

July 23, 2008, 08:14 AM	#17
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,464	In Kentucky, you are not required to notify an officer that you are carrying. However, if they run your license, that will indicate that if you have a CCW or not. While I've never been stopped, I think its a common courtesy and would certainly notify the officer. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

July 23, 2008, 11:56 AM	#19
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,694	Required by law in NY.... __________________ https://ecommercearms.com I am the owner/operator! Ask me for custom prices! No sales tax outside CO!

July 22, 2008, 02:32 PM	#2
cnutco Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2008 Location: NE GA Posts: 189	I say no bother if concealed. Although, when I am in my car it is beside me in the open so I can get to it if needed. I have been stopped a couple of times and only one officer noticed. All he wanted to talk about was guns... He did ask if I had CCW permit. Which now in GA you can have a loaded gun in the car without. I even think you can conceal it in the car if desired... I think.

July 22, 2008, 02:48 PM	#3
Stagger Lee Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2007 Posts: 342	It's just a basic courtesy. Show it and you might get some back. Don't, and don't be surprised if you don't get any. Seriously, why would you pass up an opportunity to let the officer know that of all the people that he's going to encounter today, you at least are not just some mutt and you've passed the background checks and training courses that a CCW requires?

July 22, 2008, 03:07 PM	#4
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	In TX, you don't have a choice. You are required to tell an officer if you have a CHL and are carrying. Failure to do so could cost you your CHL if things go downhill.

July 22, 2008, 04:13 PM	#5
Keltyke Junior member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 2,933	I'd tell him. If you're legal, it won't hurt anything. If he gets you out of the car and your weapon prints, you'll be eating some asphalt. In SC, if a cop asks for ID anywhere, anytime, for any reason, you must also present your CWP license and inform the officer you're carrying.

July 22, 2008, 04:43 PM	#7
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	As stated in TX you are required to show your CHL with DL but only if you are carrying. I would do it even if it wasn't required though...it puts the LEO at ease some knowing that he is dealing with a law-abiding citizen that most likely doesn't want to do him any harm or do anything to lose his CHL. Plus I've gotten outta some tickets and gotten into some good discussions about firearms.

July 22, 2008, 05:23 PM	#9
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,116	In states where it is not required, I think it will depend on the jurisdiction of the stop. Some agencies are known to be less than friendly to CCW and this may be reflected in the way they handle those contacts. A lot may depend on the demeanor of the individual officer. The one who appears at my window with a Gunny Sgt. Hartman attitude won't get the courtesy until I'm told to get out of the car. One who approaches and is professional or relaxed will often receive my CCW permit along with my license.

July 22, 2008, 07:45 PM	#10
Alleykat Junior member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 3,668	In Ga, you don't have to tell the officer if you're carryng. If I'm stopped for a general traffic violation, such as speeding, I'm not going to mention that I'm carrying, unless I happen to have my handgun stored in the glove box, and I need to retrieve documents from the glove box. I don't consider it a courtesy to have a discussion with a l.e. officer about something that's none of his/her business, whether it's my handgun or the brand of tires that I'm using.

July 22, 2008, 08:41 PM	#11
anythingshiny Member Join Date: June 20, 2008 Location: Raleigh NC Posts: 96	nc requires notification...i cannot remember if wa state did, but i always informed quitely and politely with both hands on the wheel.

July 22, 2008, 09:18 PM	#12
starshooter231 Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2006 Location: Central Michigan Posts: 210	Michigan requires you to inform if stopped. Even if it didn't I would inform the LEO for his safety and mine.

July 22, 2008, 10:12 PM	#13
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	I've never had to, but if/when I hand the LEO my drivers license & papers, I think I'd also include my CC handgun permit. That way he'd know I have a permit for what I'm carrying and I would decrease my chances of getting shot by a rookie LEO if he heard me say 'Officer, I have a handgun". IMO, it just seems cleaner to hand them your CC permit at the same time.

July 22, 2008, 11:00 PM	#15
Hedley Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,279	I don't ccl, but I do keep a pistol concealed in my center console. I was stopped a few weeks ago for running a yellow(didn't notice the light changed in the sunset) and the first thing I told the officer when he asked for my info was,"I have a loaded pistol holstered in my console. How do you want to deal with that?" He told me to leave it and asked for my license and insurance. After he ran everything, he thanked me for being up front and let me off with a warning. Long story short- It sometimes pays to be nice.

July 23, 2008, 11:08 PM	#20
ziggy222 Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2006 Posts: 184	i'm sorry for such a negative post,it was something i had a right to be mad about.however not all my experiences have been bad.i was pulled over (for a blown tail light)and my insurrance/registration was in the glove compartment laying under my gun lol.what i did to keep him relaxed was i handed him my carry license,let him read it a second and said my stuff was in my glove compartment under my gun and i would feel more comfortable if he got it out for me,rather than handling the gun in front of him.he was very respectful of me and he got it out for me with my permission.he did run it 3 times and gave it back empty lol.he was very new.that was in calery,pa.the mayor is my old social studies teacher retired,and he expects his officers to be profesional.

July 23, 2008, 11:58 PM	#21
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,171	Its a matter of courtesy, common sense and maturity even if not required. WildineedchocolatecakeandimgonnagetsomeevenifswmbotriestostopmeAlaska TM

July 24, 2008, 03:54 AM	#22
Gestalt Member Join Date: May 28, 2008 Posts: 19	In Texas you are required to tell the officer only if you are carrying. If you are stopped walking down the street this might mean something. However your CHL will show up when your license is run during a traffic stop so you might as well tell them up front. Personally, I plan to tell them anyway. No reason to give the cop something to be concerned about. I’d rather tell them than to have them find out on their own.

July 24, 2008, 06:10 AM	#23
grey sky Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2007 Posts: 324	Only if asked here. Still I have reservations about surrendering my wepon to barrney to fumble with while soiling himself.

July 28, 2008, 12:09 AM	#24
pony Member Join Date: March 9, 2008 Posts: 57	I'm sure it goes without saying, that those who choose to reveal the fact they are carrying do so by handing the CHL to the officer. Reaching to get your license/ID whilst casually telling the officer "I have a gun" is not wise. I know this could be considered comical, but I'm being serious... Here in TX it is the law to disclose your CHL when carrying. I always keep my mouth closed and hand the officer my CHL on top of my drivers license. After he has registered that I am carrying I wait to be spoken to. These guys have a job to do, a dangerous one at that. Extending a little courtesy seems the least we could do.