Stopped by Austin Cop

[vernsimpson]

I was stopped in Austin, TX by a local cop on June 25th. I had been driving for hours and was getting tired and when I adjusted my sitting position the tires crossed over the yellow line. The cop pulled me over and asked if I was OK to drive or just tired. When he asked for my Drivers License, I also gave him my CCL (according to TX law). When he looked at it he said, "That's cool!" He then asked if I had my gun on or was elsewhere. I pointed to my belt and said it was there. He then said, "You don't pull yours and I won't pull mine!" I told him I would agree with that. He said he would only give me a warning and went back to his car. When he came back we talked about OC and CC in MN and TX. He asked if there were many in MN who OC. When I said no he said that TX had just passed OC and it would be effective in January.

All in all it went VERY well. No ticket, no harassment and he was very nice and willing to talk about guns and wanted to know how it was in other states. After hearing some horror stories about some LEOs I was a bit worried of how my encounter would go. This was the first and only time I have ever been stopped while carrying by any LEO!

 

[Axeanda45]

Some cops get it, but most dont..... Glad you met one that does.... I have yet to meet one myself, I try hard to stay away from all cops myself but I know sometimes you cannot.

 

[vernsimpson]

Some cops get it, but most dont..... Glad you met one that does.... I have yet to meet one myself, I try hard to stay away from all cops myself but I know sometimes you cannot.

I try to avoid them also. I drive the speed limit and do all I can to obey all the laws. I usually stop when I get tired and need a break. But I was in the middle of Austin and I really do not like stopping in large cities. I wanted to get through Austin then stop. Which I did after I got through Austin.

All in all he was a very nice cop. We had a nice little talk about carrying, the weather that MN cops have to contend with and such. If all cops were like him I would never worry about getting stopped.

 

[VT Patriot]

I've had equally good encounters with LEO's here in VT. Tho not required, I always inform, and it is appreciated by the officers. A simple "I have a pistol with me (on me, in the car etc.) and how would you like to proceed?" The response is generally "Where is it? Then liscence and reg please." Followed by a "Thank you, and what is it that you are carrying? ". I've found that the leo is generally disposed to simply hand me a warning or just chat for a few then wave goodbye. Respect breeds respect.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Respect breeds respect.

Do you have equal respect for the convenience store night clerk and tell them about your gun when you enter the store? If you needed a taxi would you have equal respect for the cab driver? Or the driver of a public bus? Why is a police officer who has stopped you for an infraction worthy of more respect than others? Is it to increase your chances of getting out of a ticket that you deserve to get?

I too have had equally too many good encounters with LEO's here in WA. I never said a thing about my CPL or my gun and neither have they. I've found that the leo is generally disposed to simply give me a verbal warning or just chat for a few minutes then wave goodbye when we are both polite and professional with each other.

I carry a gun to protect myself should one of the thousands of people I will pass by in public just happens to have a desire to do me or my family harm. I keep my mouth shut about my gun during an official police encounter to protect myself should that one police officer happen to be the one with the desire to pull me out of the car, handcuff me, and search my vehicle because I told him I have a gun.

 

[vernsimpson]

Do you have equal respect for the convenience store night clerk and tell them about your gun when you enter the store? If you needed a taxi would you have equal respect for the cab driver? Or the driver of a public bus? Why is a police officer who has stopped you for an infraction worthy of more respect than others? Is it to increase your chances of getting out of a ticket that you deserve to get?

I too have had equally too many good encounters with LEO's here in WA. I never said a thing about my CPL or my gun and neither have they. I've found that the leo is generally disposed to simply give me a verbal warning or just chat for a few minutes then wave goodbye when we are both polite and professional with each other.

I carry a gun to protect myself should one of the thousands of people I will pass by in public just happens to have a desire to do me or my family harm. I keep my mouth shut about my gun during an official police encounter to protect myself should that one police officer happen to be the one with the desire to pull me out of the car, handcuff me, and search my vehicle because I told him I have a gun.

I agree Navy! I would not show my CCL to any LEO except where I was legally bound. In TX the law says that you must inform when asked for identification. I have traveled a lot of states and I do read and check what each states laws require, where I can carry and such.

I only CC and do all I can to stay concealed. I do not advertise or tell people I am carrying. Most of the time my wife even has to ask if I am carrying!

 

[Kelly Crisp Brock]

I really wish I had read here before my encounter! Even my Attorney told me the same thing, I should just not say anything. But, then, it's a catch 22, because then I am breaking a law of not telling them I have it...I just can't win for losing.

 

[Kelly Crisp Brock]

Ohio is the same way. I live in Florida and was visiting Ohio when I was stopped while walking. I thought I was doing the right thing by telling the officer I had my firearm and CCw in my purse.....boy was I ever wrong! I think from now on I will just keep my mouth shut and take my chances on the other charge....ugh!

 

[Farmhood]

I try to avoid them also. I drive the speed limit and do all I can to obey all the laws. I usually stop when I get tired and need a break. But I was in the middle of Austin and I really do not like stopping in large cities. I wanted to get through Austin then stop. Which I did after I got through Austin.

All in all he was a very nice cop. We had a nice little talk about carrying, the weather that MN cops have to contend with and such. If all cops were like him I would never worry about getting stopped.

MD and PA are not "must inform" states so I figured I would keep my mouth shut. Well...late at night on the end of a business trip after exiting the interstate I was pulled over for speeding.

The police car was positioned in such a manor that all lights, spot light and 4 headlights illuminate my car and mirrors. Window down, I had my wallet and registration in my hands at the top of the streering wheel in plain view.

I turned to my wife and business associate and assured her that everything would be fine. The officer approached my vehicle and took a position at 8 o'clock with a very strong flashlight shining accross my face to view my hands.

The officer asked if I knew why I was being pulled over.
I said yes.
He said I saw you slowing down but I still clocked you at 52 in a 40.


He asked for my lic. & reg. so I moved both hands (with wallet) from the steering wheel a little towards the turn signal switch. It seemed he stepped back to 7 o'clock and the light stayed accross my face and eyes.

As I handed him my license he caught a glimpse of the edge of the color of my CCP, being close to a military installation, he then inquired if that was a military ID. I said it was my CCP at which time he asked if I was armed.

I said Yes.
He said where is it?
I said right hip.

As the officer became very intense and instructing me very firmly about informing an officer IMMEDIATELY I notice another car and officer positioned now at 6 o'clock.

I informed the officer that the security firm my training is through said although there is no law to inform they suggest it as a courtesy. He agreed! and at this point the intensity of the encounter came way down.

I was informed that for officer safety they wanted me to step out of the car and be disarmed.

Now in some states they can cuff you, put you at the curb and sit in the driver seat of your car, examine anything in the open within reach without a warrant.
(why to have a metal case with combo lock on steel cable)

I was told to sit back in the car.

LEO came back to my car, was told just a warning and said he was a gun enthusiast as well.

So it is what it is....

Oh yeah...when they asked what kind of handgun I just could not remember anything other that 9mm...go figure!

I have endured a bit of playful sarcasm from the wife for not being able to rattle off make and model on the LC9.






sinful nature is always hostile to God....