Should CC license holders ALWAYS practice Full-Disclosure with Law Enforcement?

[dmsetzer318]

My question is a question I have been pondering lately. I know that there are some states that require a Concealed Weapons License holder to have full disclosure when in contact with law enforcement. There are states like Florida and Texas that do not require it. My question is to find out the general consensus of CC license holders around the nation on whether or not full disclosure with law enforcement should always be practiced whether or not its required out of respect for our Law Enforcement agencies.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Really? You had to start ANOTHER thread on this?!? The communitiy is split. Some people on both sides of the argument are very adament about their opinions. This EXACT same question gets asked at least once a month, sometimes weekly. Can't we talk about something new like open v. concealed carry, should I obey the no firearms sign, is .380 enough gun....

or George Zimmerman: hero, idiot or murderer?

 

[Pir8fan]

I follow state law. Here in NC, we must inform the LEO that we are a permitee but we don't have to tell him/her if we are carrying unless asked. In a state were notification is NOT required, I don't say a thing.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Since I ranted earlier and got that over with....

There are states like Florida and Texas that do not require it.

Texas does require notification anytime that a police officer asks you for identification:
GC §411.205. REQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY LICENSE. (a) If a license holder is carrying a handgun on or about the license holder's person when a magistrate or a peace officer demands that the license holder display identification, the license holder shall display both the license holder's driver's license or identification certificate issued by the department and the license holder's handgun license.

in respect for our Law Enforcement agencies.

I am going to assume you mean "out of respect for our Law Enforcement agencies." I can be polite and respectul to anyone/everyone and don't have to tell them about my lawfully carried firearm or my license to carry. Showing respect and providing someone with an inventory of my personal belongings that I am carrying at the time are completely unrelated to each other, IMHO. I understand that when the blue lights come on behind me when I am driving that the police officer just wants to go home safe at the end of thier shift. I will do everything possible to contribute to that. Telling them about my permit and gun does nothing to contribute to them going home safe at night.

Needlessly handling my firearm at the side of the road puts everyone within range of that bullet in equally needless danger. By telling them about my lawfully carried firearm when I am not required to by law I am extending to them an invitation to handle my gun needlessly. Some will gladly accept that invitation and some won't. I'm not willing to take the chance just to show the officer a "good guy" concealed carry card more in the hopes of getting out of the ticket I deserve than for any other reason. I won't inform the officer about my gun for their safety as well as mine, because I'm just a nice guy that way.

 

[Handgun Dad]

A) Follow the law (obviously).
B) Where A) isn't relevant, decide how much stress you want to put a random cop under during a routine stop.

IMO, I don't see a huge downside to telling the cop you are a permit holder and whether you are or are not carrying, as well as where any weapons in your vehicle are... under the basic assumption I'm not breaking a law with regards to possession, transport or storage.

 

[NavyLCDR]

B) Where A) isn't relevant, decide how much stress you want to put a random cop under during a routine stop.

IMO, I don't see a huge downside to telling the cop you are a permit holder and whether you are or are not carrying, as well as where any weapons in your vehicle are... under the basic assumption I'm not breaking a law with regards to possession, transport or storage.

Are you saying it is less stressful for the officer if I tell them about my gun?

The huge downside to telling them you are a permit holder and that you are carrying a gun is that it provides them with the opportunity to disarm you that they probably would not have had if you kept quiet about it.

 

[BluesStringer]

Should CC license holders ALWAYS practice Full-Disclosure with Law Enforcement?

No.............

 

[dmsetzer318]

I agree that it does not benefit the encounter if disclosure is unnecessary. Are there any current or former LEO willing to make a statement on this matter?

 

[BluesStringer]

I agree that it does not benefit the encounter if disclosure is unnecessary. Are there any current or former LEO willing to make a statement on this matter?

If we're talking about a jurisdiction in which no disclosure is required, why would it matter what a LEO thinks about citizens who don't disclose their carry status? I personally couldn't care any less what an LEO thinks about what I don't say when I'm under no obligation to say it.

Blues

 

[dmsetzer318]

You're right, it doesn't matter what they think; however, I would like to know out of curiosity. Is there a general feeling among LEO on this subject matter?

 

[CarryNM]

Go out and stop a couple of LEOs and ask them what they think, and then report back to us on it. Thanks for volunteering to do this.

 

[apvbguy]

My question is a question I have been pondering lately. I know that there are some states that require a Concealed Weapons License holder to have full disclosure when in contact with law enforcement. There are states like Florida and Texas that do not require it. My question is to find out the general consensus of CC license holders around the nation on whether or not full disclosure with law enforcement should always be practiced whether or not its required out of respect for our Law Enforcement agencies.

not quite right, TX requires you to inform.
FWIW, if it is not required why do it?

 

[Firefighterchen]

If not required, I do not voluntarily inform. I respect my garbage man more than police, and I don't inform him either.

 

[CharlesMorrison]

My question is to find out the general consensus of CC license holders around the nation on whether or not full disclosure with law enforcement should always be practiced whether or not its required out of respect for our Law Enforcement agencies.

No duty to inform in my state. Your "idea" sounds no better than pissing down your leg out of "respect".
I give respect once it has been earned. Never for free and I could give a crap if you wear a badge or not.

I've met far too many a holes who think they are some kind of God just because they wear a badge. Law enforcement,AKA the cops, work for me, not the other way around.

I know I'm coming off harsh but this is a topic that really gets me pissed off.
I owe no allegiance to a badge. Never have, never will.


Sent from behind enemy lines.

 

[N R A]

Did I join the correct forum? I figured it was a bunch of guys / gals with FBI background checks, that passed.

Several posts here sound like the only person they hate more than their Mother is their parole officer, or anyone wearing a badge.

Rain does not fall from cloudless skies. Likewise, respect one desires, can only flow once respect is given.

A wall is white, or black, once you paint it white, or black. If you do not paint the wall, and only expect it to be a certain color, all the expectations or criticism in the world will not change the wall.

It is good the garbage man is looked up upon, as all public servants deserve a degree of respect. Likewise, a public servant wearing a badge should be shown respect and dignity.

Being a police officer is a hard job. Daily, somewhere in our country, some young man, trying to help his community, is not able to come home and kiss his children goodnight, and tuck them into bed, because someone did not respect life, and did not respect their badge.

 

[Firefighterchen]

Did I join the correct forum? I figured it was a bunch of guys / gals with FBI background checks, that passed.

Not sure and yes that's us.

Several posts here sound like the only person they hate more than their Mother is their parole officer, or anyone wearing a badge.

Some fluff badges, others don't, that's life.

Rain does not fall from cloudless skies. Likewise, respect one desires, can only flow once respect is given.

Yep, and when an officer does respect I'll reciprocate, and if not required, I'll respectfully not tell him about my firearm.

A wall is white, or black, once you paint it white, or black. If you do not paint the wall, and only expect it to be a certain color, all the expectations or criticism in the world will not change the wall.

It is good the garbage man is looked up upon, as all public servants deserve a degree of respect. Likewise, a public servant wearing a badge should be shown respect and dignity.

Being a police officer is a hard job. Daily, somewhere in our country, some young man, trying to help his community, is not able to come home and kiss his children goodnight, and tuck them into bed, because someone did not respect life, and did not respect their badge.

The are a lot of young men, not wearing a badge, that won't make it home tonight for the same reason. A badge doesn't make one person more important than someone who chooses to not wear a badge.

 

[croute]

The only time I'll disclose is when I'm stopped for something. There's no reason to let them know otherwise.

 

[jrs]

If you are stopped for...let's say a broken tail light... the officer is already on guard and his/her blood pressure has already risen. If you're in a non-disclosure state and conduct yourself in a calm manner, comply with their request for license, registration, etc, there should be no problem. NOW...inform them you are armed... how much higher do you think their blood pressure and heart rate will go...not to mention the adrenaline rush in reaction to your statement of a weapon... what could possibly go wrong?

Although infrequent, I have been stopped a few times in my many years. I've always (respectfully) told them where my registration is before reaching (glove box, center console), so they can watch and see no threat. No problem. No handcuffs. No search of my vehicle. AND no question of weapons. When done, we both lowered our blood pressure and went on our ways.

Why add a weapon to the mix.... unless required by law... if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Did I join the correct forum? I figured it was a bunch of guys / gals with FBI background checks, that passed.

Several posts here sound like the only person they hate more than their Mother is their parole officer, or anyone wearing a badge.

Rain does not fall from cloudless skies. Likewise, respect one desires, can only flow once respect is given.

A wall is white, or black, once you paint it white, or black. If you do not paint the wall, and only expect it to be a certain color, all the expectations or criticism in the world will not change the wall.

It is good the garbage man is looked up upon, as all public servants deserve a degree of respect. Likewise, a public servant wearing a badge should be shown respect and dignity.

Being a police officer is a hard job. Daily, somewhere in our country, some young man, trying to help his community, is not able to come home and kiss his children goodnight, and tuck them into bed, because someone did not respect life, and did not respect their badge.

I completely agree with you. However I fail to see any relevency in your post regarding informing an officer about a legally possessed firearm when not required to by law. I don't tell them about my gun or permit because as jrs posted in #18, there is no need for me to add more stress to an already stressful condition. Any police officer who believes that I am a "good guy" because I hand him a piece of paper that I claim to be real and valid isn't all that bright. They don't believe my driver's license is real and valid and they call it in and verify it, so why should they believe my pistol license is real and valid until they call it in to verify it. In the meanwhile, they now know that there is a gun to be concerned about.

If they want to know up front if I armed or not, all they have to do is ask. Takes less than 5 seconds, "Sir, are you carrying any firearms or weapons with you today?"

 

[tattedupboy]

Here in Indiana, we're not required to. This is my opinion only, but I would say if it's not required, only do it if you're about to be frisked or if the officer is about to search your vehicle (only with your permission, of course).

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