Inform the officer or not when concealed carry?

[javabum]

A paragraph (from the Greek paragraphos, "to write beside" or "written beside") is a self-contained unit of a discourse in writing dealing with a particular point or idea. Paragraphs consist of one or more sentences

A paragraph is if im correct is 2 or more sentences on a certain topic and not one or more sentences...... only one sentence is not a paragraph.

Sorry for jumping in but a correction was necessary.

 

[BamaBoy]

Many legitimate paragraphs contain only one sentence. When you practiced writing paragraphs in school, the teacher had you compile several sentences, but in fact there is no upper or lower limit.

Of course, good writers vary the length of their paragraphs, and one-sentence paragraphs should be used sparingly.

 

[fisher2]

well i called the officers around here and they all said they prefer it and it will calm downt the situation normallyunless its threatened they also said they wont ask to disarm yourself as its your legal right just like theirs to have it

 

[CraigSmiley]

Adding to... Some States require that you tell, some do not.. Your answer is good ..

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?"

Some States require you to advise the officer as stated in the laws... Your answer is good, regardless....

 

[matelpt]

In Texas you must advise if you're carrying; in addition, your DL is tagged if you have a CHL. As a matter of courtesy, I always had the officer the CHL with the drivers license (whether carrying or not), then follow instructions. I've never had a problem or a rude officer. Common sense prevails!

 

[gundoc_iowa]

It depends entirely on the state where you live. In Iowa it is not required that you tell the officer...that being said, I usually do. I see it as a full disclosure type of situation, not only does it stop you from a very iffy situation should you be asked to exit the vehicle...and the gun, by some stroke of Mr. Murphy's famous law and luck, falls out or is exposed, the officer may freak out. Also the offering of your carrying status let's the officer know that you are letting him know everything up front and the honesty can do nothing but help you in his/her eyes. I hand the officer my DL, proof of insurance and permit to carry all at once and tell them I am carrying. This is also the route I recommend for the students taking my classes. Better safe than sorry.

 

[NavyLCDR]

In Summary!

How about this:

In Summary:
Some states require you to notify the officer up front and some don't. In those states that don't require notification, it's purely personal preference whether you inform the officer or not!

I think that just about covers it, IMHO.

 

[Treo]

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?"

Maybe it's just me but if I was a cop I'd tell you to shut up about halfway through that speech. (I'd also be thinking my GAWD what a brown noser)

If you must inform why not simply hand the officer your permit?

 

[jedma]

i live in ma when took the gun course for permit. don t rember teacher saying any thing bout telling cop you r carrying. i do rember him saying you can not carry in any fed building like post office. or city park or school. so if stop to buy stamps and take gun with you in p.o.:biggrin: can be in big trouble and if leave gun in car while go in . some one steals gun than you also can be in big trouble. but tell cop??

 

[BamaBoy]

General legal advice in Alabama is that you should inform the officer only if the traffic stop or other engagement with an officer proceeds beyond something routine.

Otherwise, don't talk about the risks the officer takes or mention that you are making him safer by revealing that you have a firearm. Advice is also to use the word firearm, since officers yell "gun" as a warning to other officers, and weapon has negative connotations.

 

[joesmo]

Had a case a few months ago, stopped for speeding. I was not in possession. After the LEO came back to my car, he asked if I was, I said no. I got a ticket for speeding

In retrospect, I did what I was required, but just my him asking if I was in posession told me either he was concerned, or he was trying to bust me for not telling him right away. After that incident, decided to just say I am not in posession, or I am in posession right away.

The LEO didn't appear to be concerned, but it makes sense to put him at ease, why not. worse he could do is tell me that I don't have to tell him.

 

[kittyhawk63]

All these comments about what you will do when driving and the "next time" you are pulled over. Pulled over for what? Aren't you guys and gals obeying the speed law? Don't you ever check out the lights on your car/truck/motorcycle/etc. to be sure they are working?

I knows what it is, youse guys are gangstas. :laugh:

Honestly, I've been driving for 50 years and I have never been pulled over...not once. I drive the speed limit unless the traffic dictates I do otherwise, and I regularly check for burned out lights. If you carry concealed, you of all people should do your best not to draw attention from law officers. It could eventually get you killed or seriously injured by an over-reactive police officer.

Next week I am going to start classes on how to drive and not get pulled over and how to check for fuses and change lights. Classes start at $1,000 a week. Come one, come all. :biggrin:

 

[tadawson]

Myself, in Texas, whether I have my gun or not, I at least inform the officer that I am a CHL, and if I am carrying, he gets the license, and if not, he will be told ". . . and I am presently *NOT* carrying.". The one time that I didn't declare, and gave just my license (as per TX legal requirements), the officer came back to the car seemingly kinda pissed off, and sternly asked me if I was carrying or not . . . I figure since he's gonna know I have the CHL anyhow, might as well be up-front about it, and inform as to my specific status . . . and they do seem to appreciate it.

- Tim

 

[mrp2487]

Here in Rhode Island the dmv isnt linked to the permits. If the officer asks I would reply honestly. If he doesnt ask I wouldnt tell the officer, why make a big deal over something I am doing legally. My 2 cents.

 

[kelcarry]

Thank you kittyhawk for some common sense comments. I shake my head on so many of these threads and replies and cannot believe what I read remembering that these same people could or do have firearms on them. Apparently they have forgotten their overall responsibilities that came with their CCWPs and it is more than just knowing how to handle a firearm and knowing the state law for self-defense.

 

[Treo]

Apparently they have forgotten their overall responsibilities that came with their CCWPs and it is more than just knowing how to handle a firearm and knowing the state law for self-defense.

Here is the actual list of responsibilities that the El Paso County Sheriff’s Dept. holds permitees to

This privilege carries with it a significant responsibility that you as a responsible law-abiding citizen, exercise sound judgment, restraint and safety in the use and handling of firearms. Remember that the use of deadly force must always be a last resort."

And it pretty much does only ask that I handle the firearm safely and know and obey Colorado law for self defense

 

[jedma]

after reading this forum i asked a guy that i know is certified to teach gun safty course if you need to tell the cop in ma. he said yes you are supose to. i have had permit for years and never knew that. i have been pulled over more than once in speed traps and it was never mentioned. i don t carry tho unless going shooting. so they must not know when run ya plate but been few years since stopped. so?? who knows tech. changes all time . cops now have computers in there cars. but i learned something from reading this forum anyways:wacko:

 

[Edsworld]

after reading this forum i asked a guy that i know is certified to teach gun safty course if you need to tell the cop in ma. he said yes you are supose to. i have had permit for years and never knew that. i have been pulled over more than once in speed traps and it was never mentioned. i don t carry tho unless going shooting. so they must not know when run ya plate but been few years since stopped. so?? who knows tech. changes all time . cops now have computers in there cars. but i learned something from reading this forum anyways:wacko:

If you only carry when you are going shooting, why did you get a permit to carry?

Just curious.leasantry:

 

[mrjam2jab]

after reading this forum i asked a guy that i know is certified to teach gun safty course if you need to tell the cop in ma. he said yes you are supose to. i have had permit for years and never knew that. i have been pulled over more than once in speed traps and it was never mentioned. i don t carry tho unless going shooting. so they must not know when run ya plate but been few years since stopped. so?? who knows tech. changes all time . cops now have computers in there cars. but i learned something from reading this forum anyways:wacko:

Mass is NOT a Must Inform state...

 

[kelcarry]

Hey Treo: Kindly do not insult me by just playing with words. You know darn well what I mean. If you cannot obey the simplest of rules/laws for conduct, why should I expect you to obey the rules/law under your CC permit constraints? You either obey the law and that means all the laws or you do not. If you like to selectively choose, that's fine with me but "tongue in cheek" answers do not lend anything to this discussion.