Inform the officer or not when concealed carry?

[wuzfuz]

Inform the Officer or Not?

When I was in Arizona, you were required tro inform any police officer you had contact with that you were armed with a permit. You could be arrested and lose your CCW permit if you failed. This proved to really be awkward at times. One thing you do NOT do is blurt out "I have a gun." That might get you proned out, and Arizona asphalt gets darned hot. Now I have a CPL in Washington state, and they tell me I do not have to advise an officer, but that it is nice if you do. I recently discovered that here, your CPL is tied to your Driver's License, and through it to your vehicle registration. If a cop runs your plate, he already knows you have a license and may be armed. Someone told me, I don't know whether it is true or not, that your records are linked to firearms prcuahse records, so the officer knows what you may be carrying and where you bought it. Sounds a bit Big Brotherish to me, but , as they say, truth is stranger than fiction.

 

[NavyLCDR]

spc - I've read many many reasons why CCW holders feel compelled to voluntarily advise a LEO that a weapon exists in the vehicle during traffic stops. Not one reason has convinced me that it's a good idea. 1. you have no desire to do anything illegal or harmful to the LEO 2. you've been pulled over for traffic issue, not a gun issue 3. it's your God-given right to carry even though you have to jump through your state's hoops to get legal.

+1 ABSOLUTELY! When the blue lights come on behind me, I immediately turn on a turn signal or hazard lights to let the officer know I have seen them. Then I try to find a safe place for the officer to pull over into - a driveway or side street. Then I immediately roll my window all the way down and have my hand out the window with my driver's license and military ID card (required to validate my out-of-state driver's license). If that isn't enough to put the officer at ease that I mean him/her no harm, then letting him/her know that I am LEGALLY carrying a firearm certainly isn't going to help any.

Now I have a CPL in Washington state, and they tell me I do not have to advise an officer, but that it is nice if you do. I recently discovered that here, your CPL is tied to your Driver's License, and through it to your vehicle registration. If a cop runs your plate, he already knows you have a license and may be armed. Someone told me, I don't know whether it is true or not, that your records are linked to firearms prcuahse records, so the officer knows what you may be carrying and where you bought it. Sounds a bit Big Brotherish to me, but , as they say, truth is stranger than fiction.

Personally, I don't think informing the officer of my firearms status has anything at all with being nice or not. I am usually in legal possession of a cell phone. Is it "not nice" to not tell them that? Legal possession and carrying of a firearm is absolutely no different than the legal possession and carrying of a cell phone. If CPL status is returned with DL info (and in Washington State if you possess both a WA CPL and a WA DL it more than likely is), wouldn't that information cause the officer to be LESS concerned about the possibility of a firearm rather than MORE concerned?

RCW 9.41.129
Recordkeeping requirements.

The department of licensing may keep copies or records of applications for concealed pistol licenses provided for in RCW 9.41.070, copies or records of applications for alien firearm licenses, copies or records of applications to purchase pistols provided for in RCW 9.41.090, and copies or records of pistol transfers provided for in RCW 9.41.110. The copies and records shall not be disclosed except as provided in RCW 42.56.240(4).

The Washington Department of Licensing is a very big brother and does maintain a database of all CPLs linked to Driver's Licenses AND pistol purchases made from FFLs in the State of Washington.

 

[Garand]

Suppose you're out for a drive and you've got a tail light out... Or you're doing a bit above the speed limit and you just had a nice set of headers, exhaust pipes, and mufflers put on your car...

Regardless, you're now on the side of the road with a blue light special behind you.

Officer comes to the door and asks for your license and registration... Do you inform him that you are in possession of a concealed handgun or not?

Does the matter that it's the sherrif, a local county officer, or a state trooper change your option?



I think the DMV here flags your plates when you get a CCW. I've always thought it's a good idea to inform.

"Officer, I understand you go through a lot of risk in your line of duty, I would like to minimize this risk and inform you that I am in possession of a Concealed Weapon permit and I do have the weapon on my person (or in the car) The weapon is on my left hip (or next to the emergency brake handle in the center console). My license and registration are in my left front pocket. How would you like to proceed?"

Actually, it is part of the above. Some local LEOs may think it their responsibility, but it actually resorts to your state laws. For instance, In Georgia it is not necessary but if the weapon(s) are concealed you better have a GFL or one that the state you are in will honor. Why ask for huge discussion?

 

[NavyLCDR]

"Officer, I understand you go through a lot of risk in your line of duty, I would like to minimize this risk and inform you that I am in possession of a Concealed Weapon permit and I do have the weapon on my person (or in the car)"

Interesting. Not sure how telling an officer you have a gun and a permit is supposed to minimize his risk. Seems to me like that does nothing to minimize the risk to officer, who was in none to begin with, assuming you are a law abiding citizen.

 

[mrjam2jab]

Interesting. Not sure how telling an officer you have a gun and a permit is supposed to minimize his risk. Seems to me like that does nothing to minimize the risk to officer, who was in none to begin with, assuming you are a law abiding citizen.

Yes...you'd think the mere mention of a firearm would put LEO more on edge...cuz now he KNOWS there is one. Not saying anything at all....makes it a "routine" stop...:biggrin:

 

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Here in Ohio when LEo runs your plates your CCL shows up on it. It's required to notify even though he probably already knows when he/she approaches.

 

[Edsworld]

Suppose you're out for a drive and you've got a tail light out... Or you're doing a bit above the speed limit and you just had a nice set of headers, exhaust pipes, and mufflers put on your car...

Regardless, you're now on the side of the road with a blue light special behind you.

Officer comes to the door and asks for your license and registration... Do you inform him that you are in possession of a concealed handgun or not?

Does the matter that it's the sherrif, a local county officer, or a state trooper change your option?



I think the DMV here flags your plates when you get a CCW. I've always thought it's a good idea to inform.

"Officer, I understand you go through a lot of risk in your line of duty, I would like to minimize this risk and inform you that I am in possession of a Concealed Weapon permit and I do have the weapon on my person (or in the car) The weapon is on my left hip (or next to the emergency brake handle in the center console). My license and registration are in my left front pocket. How would you like to proceed?"

I hand the officer my carry permit along with my drivers license.

 

[Garand]

It depends on where you are. Some states require notification, some do not. That's the first determiner.

I live in Kalifornia (notification not required). Gun's are not PC. Most cops I'm sure would be OK with a CCW but some will not be. I would never notify in Los Angeles. The Cops have an average time in the job of less than 5 years. The Chief hates citizens having guns. If I were in one of the counties known to be gun friendly I might notify but not to a young cop. I've heard too many stories on cops who want to take possession of the gun, unload it, and who have no familiarity with guns other than the one they carry.

Most of you all are pretty close about what to do, and again to repeat check your state of residence, and the states you may pass through. For instance, I live in GA and liberal as it is, they still only recommend that you do not advise that you are carrying and if the LEO asks for your GFL, you must supply that and only what the LEO requests. In other simple words, don't make it any more difficult and don't tie up a working LEO.

 

[wooddoctor]

Most of you all are pretty close about what to do, and again to repeat check your state of residence, and the states you may pass through. For instance, I live in GA and liberal as it is, they still only recommend that you do not advise that you are carrying and if the LEO asks for your GFL, you must supply that and only what the LEO requests. In other simple words, don't make it any more difficult and don't tie up a working LEO.

Ga. LEO will ask if they have need for concern... otherwise I would not provide more then what they ask for.

 

[Edsworld]

Does it show up when they run your plates?

 

[wooddoctor]

Does it show up when they run your plates?

Very good question...never thought about that...Any LEO's here know?

 

[NavyLCDR]

Does it show up when they run your plates?

Very good question...never thought about that...Any LEO's here know?

Depends upon the state, and in many cases how the local LEA's within that state have their computer software set up.

 

[cardinalfan]

My wife just took her training class yesterday (Missouri) and it was taught by a local LEO. Although MO is not a 'must notifly' state, most LEO's appreciate it when notified up front. He also noted, may make it easier if you were only 'slightly' over the speed limit.

 

[kengrubb]

I don't think informing the officer of my firearms status has anything at all with being nice or not.
...
The Washington Department of Licensing is a very big brother and does maintain a database of all CPLs linked to Driver's Licenses AND pistol purchases made from FFLs in the State of Washington.

DOL does main a firearms database (which includes CPLs), driver's license database, etc. but it is a separate database and a separate section of the department. An officer needs to make two requests--one for the DL info and one CPL info.

I worked on contract at DOL, and they were very strict about adhering to RCW 42.56.240. In the course of my work there, I had access to the Driver's License database, but I couldn't get anywhere close to the firearms database, record layouts, data, or even access to the floor where the Firearms Section sat.

During a traffic stop, I exercise DADT. If I'm asked a direct question, then I answer honestly. However, I do not volunteer that I'm carrying unless I think the officer is about to find out.

 

[jlamb]

Very good question...never thought about that...Any LEO's here know?

I'm not an LEO, but recently completed the CC course in NC. Here your CHP number is the same as your DL #. When an LEO checks your DL, a red line appears down the side of the screen on their CAD/laptop.

 

[NavyLCDR]

DOL does main a firearms database (which includes CPLs), driver's license database, etc. but it is a separate database and a separate section of the department. An officer needs to make two requests--one for the DL info and one CPL info.

HOWEVER, Law Enforcement Agencies in the state of Washington can and have programmed their computers to automatically initiate BOTH queries anytime driver's license information is requested. OR, at a minimum, have policies that cause their operators to make BOTH queries anytime the DL information is requested.

During a traffic stop, I exercise DADT. If I'm asked a direct question, then I answer honestly. However, I do not volunteer that I'm carrying unless I think the officer is about to find out.

I don't even offer the information then (referring to the bold part above). But, I open carry. So, if he asks me to step out of the vehicle, he will see the gun in my holster on my belt. My lawfully carried gun is no different than anything else lawfully carried, such as a cell phone. I don't feel the need to verbally announce the presence of either my cell phone or my gun. It hasn't been a problem for me yet, even with my chronic medical problem of a lead foot!

Notice what RCW 42.56.240 says:

(4) License applications under RCW 9.41.070; copies of license applications or information on the applications may be released to law enforcement or corrections agencies;

RCW 42.56.240 places no restrictions upon WHY a law enforcement agency may request the info. It only states that the DOL may release CPL info to law enforcement agencies.

 

[kengrubb]

Law Enforcement Agencies in the state of Washington can and have programmed their computers to automatically initiate BOTH queries anytime driver's license information is requested. OR, at a minimum, have policies that cause their operators to make BOTH queries anytime the DL information is requested.

I have heard rumors of this, but folks with an in at some LEAs have made inquiries. Other than King County, no one has found another agency. I'm sure there are probably a few others, but cops know it's a non-issue so it's mostly a waste of time. Even if it were cross linked and always automatically returned, I say so what. If they want to ask me a direct question, fine.

 

[billwot]

I'm not an LEO, but recently completed the CC course in NC. Here your CHP number is the same as your DL #. When an LEO checks your DL, a red line appears down the side of the screen on their CAD/laptop.

And it is also tied to vehicle registration, so your carry permit also shows up if they run you license plate.

 

[wooddoctor]

What should you do if you are in a state that requires you to notify the traffic officer and you are a passenger with a concealed weapon? Are you required as a passenger to inform the LEO??

 

[mrjam2jab]

What should you do if you are in a state that requires you to notify the traffic officer and you are a passenger with a concealed weapon? Are you required as a passenger to inform the LEO??

You would need to read the law of the particular state. OH requires driver and occupants to notify...NC only requires if you are addressed directly.