Inform the officer or not when concealed carry?

[Rick327]

Here is a link in reply to post 985 about a guy robbed in WI. There is also a video link to the story there.

One case of an open carrier robbed out of more than 100,000 per Nik Clark, president of WI Carry. Hardly an epidemic IMHO.

Link Removed

 

[matelpt]

In Texas, you must notify the officer if you are carrying. Since the officer can see the CHL when accessing DL information on the computer, I always notify even when I'm not by handing him the CHL with the DL. It is common courtesy and makes the officer more at ease since he will find out anyway.

 

[hp-hobo]

In Texas, you must notify the officer if you are carrying. Since the officer can see the CHL when accessing DL information on the computer, I always notify even when I'm not by handing him the CHL with the DL. It is common courtesy and makes the officer more at ease since he will find out anyway.

Do you tell the cops what color underwear you're wearing to, just to make them more comfortable? :no:

 

[NavyLCDR]

Do you tell the cops what color underwear you're wearing to, just to make them more comfortable? :no:

You are confusing the police with the TSA....

 

[tcecil88]

Whenever I have had interactions with Law Enforcement, I have always informed the Officer that I was carrying a weapon. All instances have turned out positive. In 2 instances, the Officer asked if he could hold onto my pistol and in the other, I was in an accident and asked the responding Officer to take possesion of my pistol while I was transported to the hospital. In each instance, my weapon was returned with no problems. I would rather let the Officer know than him or her be surprised. I appreciate the job that Police Officers do and I will always try to make it easier for them. If you are up front with them and show them respect, you will normally get the same courtesy in return.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Whenever I have had interactions with Law Enforcement, I have always informed the Officer that I was carrying a weapon. All instances have turned out positive. In 2 instances, the Officer asked if he could hold onto my pistol and in the other, I was in an accident and asked the responding Officer to take possesion of my pistol while I was transported to the hospital. In each instance, my weapon was returned with no problems. I would rather let the Officer know than him or her be surprised. I appreciate the job that Police Officers do and I will always try to make it easier for them. If you are up front with them and show them respect, you will normally get the same courtesy in return.

If they respected you and your rights, they would not have taken your gun away from you, even temporarily. Would they hand over their gun to you "for your safety" if you asked them to? Why do they have any more "right" to keep possession of thier own firearms than you do? Just curious, do you also inform the officer when you are not carrying?

 

[45fella]

My friend in Florida got into a little fender bender in a gas station.....like a nice law abiding citizen he told the cop he had a gun on him as he handed him his license and CCP. The dirtbag cop asked for the gun and literally tossed it on top of his car, causing $400 damage to the roof paint. 2009 E63 AMG Mercedes. My friend said he treated him like a second class piece of crap citizen from that point forward, and the accident was some ladies fault that backed into him while he was pumping gas.

SCREW cops.......yes, there are good ones.....but its not worth getting that scumbag loser cop with the chip on his shoulder because he has a crappy paying stressful job. No cop is taking possession my gun. Being a cop is a tough job, they signed up for it, they have to wonder if people have guns on them sometimes. And in Florida you only have to tell them if they ask......

 

[45fella]

If they respected you and your rights, they would not have taken your gun away from you, even temporarily. Would they hand over their gun to you "for your safety" if you asked them to? Why do they have any more "right" to keep possession of thier own firearms than you do? Just curious, do you also inform the officer when you are not carrying?

Agreed. If I got pulled over and was "asked" by the officer if I'm carrying...yes, I would tell him I was. But if he asked me to give it to him.....I'd roll up the window and ask for a supervisor, start my video spy camera and tell the officer I'm videoing (with audio) everything from this point forward for the record and elect to have a supervisor on scene before I give my gun to anyone.

 

[dwmckenney]

I live in Mo. and all the police officers that I know said they would like to know if I have a gun up front, when stopped by them. About a week ago I was stopped for making a ilegal left turn, I told the lady that I had a ccw, and she said "thats fine" I did'nt have any tickets on my license so the did'nt give me a ticket, and did'nt ask to see my pistol.

 

[Cord]

First time posting here!

I've been carrying since I turned 21 here in Indiana and have a lifetime permit and several Class III items as well as being very open about my thoughts about carrying, so friends and family generally turn to me for questions or advice. Recently a coworker got his CCW and asked my opinion on informing a LEO about possession. My first question was what would be the circumstances?

His reply for the sake of argument was a traffic stop of some kind so I replied, you've already broken some law so the officer took the time to pull you over and you're questioning whether or not you should bother to tell them you're legally carrying a firearm?

He took my point and then I shared the three times in 19 years I've dealt with law enforcement while carrying a firearm. First time I was speeding in my 20s (those were the days) and got pulled over. It was night so I turned on my I side lights and put the Glock 19 I was carrying on my dashboard and put my hands on the steering wheel. Cop came up and saw gun immediately, asked for my permit immediately and after I produced it and my license, he asked me to sit tight and leave the pistol right where it was at. Little bit later he brought my warning back, thanked me for putting the pistol out where it was visible and told me to slow it down. He was a Sergent for the (then) Marion County sheriff's department, and my quick decision to unholster my pistol and place it where it was visible probably got me out of a ticket. I wouldn't do that these days I don't think.

Second time was another traffic stop for an illegal turn more recently and was an Indiana State Trooper. I gave the trooper my license and permit and he asked if I was carrying and I told him yes, and that it was holstered on my right hip. He thanked me for letting him know, ran my info and came back with just the license and permit and told me to pay better attention to the signs and asked purely out of curiosity what I was carrying. When I told him a Glock 20 he didn't recognize the model so I took my spare magazine out if the holder on my left hip and showed him the 10mm round. He laughed and asked if I was planning on being assaulted by bears.

My third encounter was a bit more unpleasant. I was sitting in a Denny's about 3 in the morning and apparently the waitress wasn't impressed with my loud drunken buddies (I was designated driver and also carrying so I was not under the influence). She was also apparently not happy with my pistol holster being visible so she asked some officers in the restaurant to check us out. We were approached by two IMPD officers who asked if we were ok, they had gotten a complaint that were we loud, etc. As the sober party I became the spokesperson, apologized and told them we'd be going soon anyway, and after putting his hand on his service pistol asked if I was the one carrying the gun. Yes, sir, I am and I'd be happy to show you my permit if you'd like. He stated that he would like to see it since part of the complaint involved a firearm and asked me to stand up very slowly and produce my license and permit. I complied, his partner searched me real fast and noted the pistol without removing it or taking possession of it, the other called in my info while I got to stand in the restaurant with my hands on my head and an officer holding my thumbs pretty tightly, but after confirming my info and finding no warrants they gave my stuff back and told us all to wrap it up and head on home.

SO, my answer and opinion is to ALWAYS notify and comply with an officer, and all the cops I know have said the same thing as well. Reading this thread and the comments from people stating police are violating your rights by asking made me slightly nauseous quite frankly. They have a job to do and for you to pop up on their radar at all should make you want to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you're a law abiding citizen and not worth their concern or fear.

 

[Firefighterchen]

First time posting here!

I've been carrying since I turned 21 here in Indiana and have a lifetime permit and several Class III items as well as being very open about my thoughts about carrying, so friends and family generally turn to me for questions or advice. Recently a coworker got his CCW and asked my opinion on informing a LEO about possession. My first question was what would be the circumstances?

His reply for the sake of argument was a traffic stop of some kind so I replied, you've already broken some law so the officer took the time to pull you over and you're questioning whether or not you should bother to tell them you're legally carrying a firearm?

He took my point and then I shared the three times in 19 years I've dealt with law enforcement while carrying a firearm. First time I was speeding in my 20s (those were the days) and got pulled over. It was night so I turned on my I side lights and put the Glock 19 I was carrying on my dashboard and put my hands on the steering wheel. Cop came up and saw gun immediately, asked for my permit immediately and after I produced it and my license, he asked me to sit tight and leave the pistol right where it was at. Little bit later he brought my warning back, thanked me for putting the pistol out where it was visible and told me to slow it down. He was a Sergent for the (then) Marion County sheriff's department, and my quick decision to unholster my pistol and place it where it was visible probably got me out of a ticket. I wouldn't do that these days I don't think.

Second time was another traffic stop for an illegal turn more recently and was an Indiana State Trooper. I gave the trooper my license and permit and he asked if I was carrying and I told him yes, and that it was holstered on my right hip. He thanked me for letting him know, ran my info and came back with just the license and permit and told me to pay better attention to the signs and asked purely out of curiosity what I was carrying. When I told him a Glock 20 he didn't recognize the model so I took my spare magazine out if the holder on my left hip and showed him the 10mm round. He laughed and asked if I was planning on being assaulted by bears.

My third encounter was a bit more unpleasant. I was sitting in a Denny's about 3 in the morning and apparently the waitress wasn't impressed with my loud drunken buddies (I was designated driver and also carrying so I was not under the influence). She was also apparently not happy with my pistol holster being visible so she asked some officers in the restaurant to check us out. We were approached by two IMPD officers who asked if we were ok, they had gotten a complaint that were we loud, etc. As the sober party I became the spokesperson, apologized and told them we'd be going soon anyway, and after putting his hand on his service pistol asked if I was the one carrying the gun. Yes, sir, I am and I'd be happy to show you my permit if you'd like. He stated that he would like to see it since part of the complaint involved a firearm and asked me to stand up very slowly and produce my license and permit. I complied, his partner searched me real fast and noted the pistol without removing it or taking possession of it, the other called in my info while I got to stand in the restaurant with my hands on my head and an officer holding my thumbs pretty tightly, but after confirming my info and finding no warrants they gave my stuff back and told us all to wrap it up and head on home.

SO, my answer and opinion is to ALWAYS notify and comply with an officer, and all the cops I know have said the same thing as well. Reading this thread and the comments from people stating police are violating your rights by asking made me slightly nauseous quite frankly. They have a job to do and for you to pop up on their radar at all should make you want to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you're a law abiding citizen and not worth their concern or fear.

Welcome,

The fumes from your polish made me a little nauseous too!

Have a good day, hope you find all the articles on here interesting and informative.

 

[Glock Fan]

Agreed. If I got pulled over and was "asked" by the officer if I'm carrying...yes, I would tell him I was. But if he asked me to give it to him.....I'd roll up the window and ask for a supervisor, start my video spy camera and tell the officer I'm videoing (with audio) everything from this point forward for the record and elect to have a supervisor on scene before I give my gun to anyone.

Great way to get yourself forcibly removed from your vehicle and experience a face plant. Expect your "spy video" and camera to come up missing when they do an inventory of your vehicle subsequent to arrest.

Don't worry pal, I was like you in my younger days when I first started carrying. Get to know the local PD. They're not as bad as you think they are, and contrary to popular belief, they're not necessarily "the enemy".

 

[Firefighterchen]

Great way to get yourself forcibly removed from your vehicle and experience a face plant. Expect your "spy video" and camera to come up missing when they do an inventory of your vehicle subsequent to arrest.

Don't worry pal, I was like you in my younger days when I first started carrying. Get to know the local PD. They're not as bad as you think they are, and contrary to popular belief, they're not necessarily "the enemy".

Lol yes exactly, they aren't bad people at all...good people face plant legal carrying citizens and steal their stuff so they don't get in trouble for excessive force. Sounds like really awesome people to get to know.

 

[rogerw]

Nebraska

Nebraska flags you driver license. Its always a good idea to let the officer know if you are carrying. Just be up front with them. They might even be a little more leanant. If you don't tell them and they run you driver license you can loose your permit if you have a weapon on you. Second offence gun violation you will loose your permit

 

[Firefighterchen]

Nebraska flags you driver license. Its always a good idea to let the officer know if you are carrying. Just be up front with them. They might even be a little more leanant. If you don't tell them and they run you driver license you can loose your permit if you have a weapon on you. Second offence gun violation you will loose your permit

Agree, in Nebraska you have to notify by law. So you should.

In WA, you shouldn't. There is no notification law, and if the officer interaction was not about your gun, why make it about your gun? It's never a good idea to give up your rights. An officer who treats two law abiding citizens different because of their attire should not be an officer.

 

[NavyLCDR]

I think part of the fuel for the anti-gun groups is the fact that so many "pro-gun" people treat the gun like it is something suspicious and warrants additional attention to be brought to the knowledge of LEO. My gun is no different than my cell phone. My cell phone is a tool I carry to facilitate communication. My gun is a tool I carry to facilitate self-defense. That's all, nothing more. I don't feel any need to inform a police officer about either tool just because I am given the opportunity.

 

[Deserteagle]

I think part of the fuel for the anti-gun groups is the fact that so many "pro-gun" people treat the gun like it is something suspicious and warrants additional attention to be brought to the knowledge of LEO. My gun is no different than my cell phone. My cell phone is a tool I carry to facilitate communication. My gun is a tool I carry to facilitate self-defense. That's all, nothing more. I don't feel any need to inform a police officer about either tool just because I am given the opportunity.

The beauty of this is that you open carry so you automatically inform the police as well as everyone else.

 

[Raider-3]

If your state doesn't require it, why put yourself in a position to be harassed

 

[Cord]

Welcome,

The fumes from your polish made me a little nauseous too!

Have a good day, hope you find all the articles on here interesting and informative.

Woo! Trolled on my very first post on these forums.

While it's probably fun for you to imply I must be feminine in some manner because I choose to be overtly respectful to police and it has always served me well, I guess my question for you would be why do you personally not feel that LEO are deserving of a higher degree of respect? Is there any profession you reserve higher respect for (military or firefighters maybe)? I've read many of your other posts and you've never really addressed that question directly other than pointing out that they shouldn't be afforded any more respect than any other profession and littering threads with sarcastic barbs solely because you disagree with their opinions.

What's your history with LEO, Chen?

 

[Firefighterchen]

Woo! Trolled on my very first post on these forums.

While it's probably fun for you to imply I must be feminine in some manner because I choose to be overtly respectful to police and it has always served me well, I guess my question for you would be why do you personally not feel that LEO are deserving of a higher degree of respect? Is there any profession you reserve higher respect for (military or firefighters maybe)? I've read many of your other posts and you've never really addressed that question directly other than pointing out that they shouldn't be afforded any more respect than any other profession and littering threads with sarcastic barbs solely because you disagree with their opinions.

What's your history with LEO, Chen?

First off...polish wasn't for nails, I was not implying feminism (although woman are becoming very strong supporters of the 2a, so there is no problem with feminism). Polish was for their badges lol sorry you didn't get that. Seems a lot of people need the *sarcasm* to understand my posts.

I believe no profession deserves more respect over another profession in any case. We all have a job to do, and we all should strive to do it our best. I choose firefighting/paramedic. Do I feel I deserve more respect? No...I hate it. I hate that the medical field has so many Para-Gods. I hate that nurses and doctors feel as if they own their patient. It sickens me. (I would like to add, even when paramedics and heath care personnel force respect and opinion it usually ends for the betterment of the patient. When police force their respect and opinion it usually ends in ruining some ones life. Every good LEO encounter story doesn't have the forceful attitude problem.)

Why do I have such a bad taste when it comes to police? Here is a quick summary:

1.) My family helped a police officers family from loosing their house for drug related reasons (unknown at the time). Instead of paying us back, they tried to intimidate us using some of his police buddies. Luckily my mother is the strongest woman I know. We fought back as a family with the help of the DA. The officers are off the force. The kids of the direct officer are in a better home now.

2.) An officer gave me a speeding ticket. I was on my motorcycle, behind a Durango, behind a Semi. I was going with the flow of traffic. His explanation for the speeding ticker? He didn't want me to hit a deer...

3.) An officer gave me a uninsured (my card was on my dinner table) ticket. I was on my motorcycle. He explained when I went into court to bring my insurance card, and the charges would be dropped. He then gave me reckless driving with no explanation. He claims in court that he was at the light with a clear view, that I did an aggressive right hand turn into a lane change without my blinker, followed by a wheelie all the way across a 200 yard bridge passing several cars while in the left lane. He claims he explained it to me, and he has video evidence, but he didn't bring it in.

My story: I did a right hand turn with my blinker. I stayed in the right hand lane. No one was on the bridge with me. I had two coworkers behind me, both testified I did not do a wheelie.

Judge says: If it could have happened, then I'm guilty.

I ordered the video and the court transcripts. What does the video show? The police officer was about 200 yards from the light, with traffic crossing his view multiple times. I turn into the right hand lane with my blinker, and no one is on the bridge. I do not do a wheelie in the video.

So I take this case to a big fish attorney in my town. His first piece of advice, "Get ready for the police to lie in court." He explained he has never been in a single case where a police officer hasn't lied. What's happening now? Well since the State Troopers office took 45 days to send me the video, and the appeal time was within 30...my family is forking out big money to bring this to higher courts.

This is just the main ones (especially the 3) that tick me off. I have come across numerous officers in my EMT/Paramedic career that make me wonder about public service. My uncle is LAPD...I do not disrespect officers, I just have no respect for them.

Edit: The sarcastic barbs based on opinion. While I started with very serious posts, lately the same broken record gets boring to reply to. If I were to say, all police officers are corrupt psychos. You would defend their position, claiming I shouldn't spread stereotypical lies. That's all I do to defend OC. Sure you can have your own opinion, and I can have mine, but would you want me to spread "all officers are corrupt psychos?" No you would want me to stop.