Tell a LEO you have a ccw


remington660

remington660
I have just talked with a good friend in Tenn. about carrying. He told me that a fellow he works with got stopped by a policeman and when he came back to speak with the driver the policeman jumped all over the driver for not informing him that he had a carry permit. Being on his way to work he did not have his gun with him because he can't have a gun on company property. I guess the law is you have to inform the police you have a carry permit even if you are not carrying. I was wandering if it is the same here in Arkansas.
 

It varies from state to state. Here in Texas you have to show your CHL if you have your gun with you. Even if you do not tell them when they run the drivers lic. it will show up. Here we are told it is best to show the CHL if you have the gun or not.
 
Here in AR, you do not have to "volunteer" that you have a permit. When they run your info, it will pop up as it is attatched to your drivers license info.

Some states will require you to notify immediately and if you have a non-resident permit, you need to be up on that states law while traveling thru a state that requires you notify.

I highly suspect that in the states that you are NOT required to notify, the LEO will perhaps look upon you as a "wannabe bragger" if you spout off that you have a permit to carry your big badass gun..so know the law.
 
With computers in police cars able to pull up a profile of anyone; it just seems prudent to tell Police you have a permit. My permit and license are together and I will hand both to the officer at the same time if pulled over.

The one that scares me a bit is California. I travel there several times a year and my pistol is properly stored for that gulag's law. From some of the stories I've heard it might be frightening for me whatever I do. I can easily visualize one of CA's 'finest' pulling me over, drawing sidearm, and ordering me face down on the ground just because my NV license plate links to my DL and that 's linked to my CHL.:angry::poep2:
 
I'm afraid that the Arkansas Law changed in July of 2007 that we are required to submit both licenses when dealing with LEO's in Arkansas. Plus it is good policy to do so whether or not we have possession of a handgun or not. When they discover that we have the license after the first contact, they have been known to less friendly.
 
For clarification, in TN, you ARE NOT required to inform LEO's. But to read the guy the riot act for not informing, especially when he's NOT ARMED?!?!?!?!

Click Click Click go the Jackboots!!!!
 
5-73-315. Possession of license — Identification of licensee.



(a) Any licensee possessing a valid license issued pursuant to this subchapter may carry a concealed handgun.
(b) The licensee shall:
(1) Carry the license, together with valid identification, at any time when the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun; and
(2) Display both the license and proper identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer.

the key words here are "Display BOTH" & "upon demand"..Grumpy is right. :bigsmile:
 
It would appear to me that Pascal is correct. B1 states that you need carry your license only if you are carrying a concealed handgun. Therefore a leo could not demand you show it if you are not carrying.
I pesonally would carry the license and show it even if I was not carrying, as most officers are well trained in the ways of getting around restrictions placed upon them. They possibly could consider that not having your lincense with you as probable cause to search you and your vehicle for a violation of the cc laws. Since AR does not recognize NV CC and my drivers lincense info would show I have a NV CCW, I would expect at least some pointed questions.(If I could still afford to take a cross-country driving trip nowadays)
 
according to (B-2) Display both the license and proper identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer.

seems to me that when the LEO "demands" to see your drivers license and insurance, the law says BOTH the license (permit) and proper ID (drivers license)..thats how I am reading it so I will be handing over 3 documents, Licence, Permit and Insurance...
 
The law simply means that if an officer says "May I see your concealed carry license"? You must produce the license, and also another form of identification.

As for spontaneously informing, I see no need to do that. It's best to keep your conversations with LEOs as short as possible in my opinion. Obey the letter of the law.

If an officer wants to get bent out of shape because you didn't wave your license for him at first, that's on him. And it most certainly would NOT be probable cause to search your vehicle. Probable cause means the officer has cause to believe there is evidence of a particular crime hidden in your vehicle. Since the officer knows that you have a license, even if there was a gun there, no crime would have been committed. Such a search would be a violation of the 4th amendment.

This also means that if you are asked for your license and you produce it, and the officer decides to ask further, "are you carrying a weapon today?" you do NOT have to answer. In fact, outside of providing your driver's license, registration and insurance (and carry permit, if asked), you do not need to say ANYTHING AT ALL during a stop, no matter what questions the officer asks you.

There is no law that compels you to answer a police officer's questions, and they can't arrest you for not answering. Just because they're wearing a badge doesn't give them the power to question you about any particular thing they feel like. "Sir, what did you have for breakfast this morning? What, you don't want to answer? You don't have anything to hide, do you?"

This type of tolerance for police harassment is sometimes prevalent on internet gun forums, where people tend to worship Authority and police power. I find it pretty distasteful.

-ishi
 
The law simply means that if an officer says "May I see your concealed carry license"? You must produce the license, and also another form of identification.

As for spontaneously informing, I see no need to do that. It's best to keep your conversations with LEOs as short as possible in my opinion. Obey the letter of the law.

If an officer wants to get bent out of shape because you didn't wave your license for him at first, that's on him. And it most certainly would NOT be probable cause to search your vehicle. Probable cause means the officer has cause to believe there is evidence of a particular crime hidden in your vehicle. Since the officer knows that you have a license, even if there was a gun there, no crime would have been committed. Such a search would be a violation of the 4th amendment.

This also means that if you are asked for your license and you produce it, and the officer decides to ask further, "are you carrying a weapon today?" you do NOT have to answer. In fact, outside of providing your driver's license, registration and insurance (and carry permit, if asked), you do not need to say ANYTHING AT ALL during a stop, no matter what questions the officer asks you.

There is no law that compels you to answer a police officer's questions, and they can't arrest you for not answering. Just because they're wearing a badge doesn't give them the power to question you about any particular thing they feel like. "Sir, what did you have for breakfast this morning? What, you don't want to answer? You don't have anything to hide, do you?"

This type of tolerance for police harassment is sometimes prevalent on internet gun forums, where people tend to worship Authority and police power. I find it pretty distasteful.

-ishi

Hello ishi, have not seen you around for a while. Hope everything is well with you.
 
Ishi, good to see you back on..been wonderin' how you been..btw, I argree with you as for answering questions asked by LEO's. Some LEO's, mostly the rookies, let the gun and badge thing go to their head, as if they are wearing a Power Ranger costume. Be nice, courtious, but also be catuious and limit your answers and know when not to answer.
 
Are you sure about all that not answering etc. If you are pulled over for a traffic violation it is my understanding that you can be carried to jail, I know it is rare but possible at least here in SC. Also in SC you are required to present your permit if asked for ID and are carrying but the permit is not tied into either the drivers license or vehicle license plates. As for them being tied to vehicle license I think is stupid as the car I drive is in my wife's name and the one she normally drives is in mine. I also drive a state owned car at times.

I imagine that if you are pulled over for a traffic violation and refuse to do or say anything other than hand the officer your license, registration and insurance card it is going to be a long exciting day for you.
 
For most of us a traffic stop is a high stress situation. For those of us who wish to carry when traveling to other states, it is imperative that we be prepared to handle a traffic stop in any state where we might be carrying. From a training perspective, it is a good idea to develop and practice a procedure that will work in any state. In that way you don't have to evaluate, under stress, the details of what to do in the particular state you are in at the moment.

My recommendation:
. Pull off expeditiously. The LEO will usually not ask you to stop unless he considers it safe.
. Put on your internal lights.
. If available, turn on a voice recorder. Many cell phones have this capability. If you have any legitimate complaints, this will help.
. Open both front windows. The LEO may approach you on either side.
. Put your hands on the steering wheel.
. Without removing your hands, immediately and politely inform the LEO that you have a CCP and if your armed or not. If you say you are armed, he is likely to ask where you are carrying.
. Obey his instructions without objections. If you feel you have been mistreated, there is time to complain to supervision after the traffic stop is completed.

Although I have yet to be stopped since obtaining my permit and carrying, I continue to evolve and practice my plan. Any suggestions, especially from LEO, would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Why the hell do I need to carry my CC License if I'm not carrying my weapon ?

Scenario1 :
Cop: Do you have any firearms in the vehicle ?
Me: Nope
Cop: Drivers license please...
End of story

Scenario 2:
Cop: Do you have any firearms in the vehicle ?
Me: Yes
Cop: May I get your CCW Permit along with your Crivers License.....

Officers should only be "demanding" CCW permit ONLY if you are in possession of a concealed weapon

Next I need to also drive around with my HS Diploma, My College Degrees, and any other licenses I possess ?
 
It's true that an LEO can arrest you for any infraction at all, real or imagined. However, being cowed into compliance by the threat of a false arrest is very close to fascism in my book.

I've got my own 'script' for being stopped here in Arkansas (it would change if out of state). Here 'tis.

(me, with drivers lic, reg and insurance in hand, with windows rolled down and hands on the wheel)

LEO: driver's license, registration and insurance please?

(I hand them over)

LEO: are you carrying any drugs, firearms or dangerous items in your car today?

me: With respect officer, I'd prefer to talk about why you stopped me today, and not what I do or don't have in my vehicle.

LEO: Can you step out of the car please sir?

(I step out of the car, LEO searches me and finds my weapon at 4 o'clock, proceeds to cuff me)

LEO: Do you have a license for this?

me: Yes officer, in my wallet in my right front pocket.

(officer finds the license)

LEO: why didn't you tell me about this before?

me: There are currently around 20 states that require citizens with carry licenses to spontaneously notify LEOs. Arkansas is not one of them.

LEO (quite cranky): Do you mind if I have a look in your car sir?

me: I won't consent to that search, officer. Would you mind uncuffing me, please?

LEO: where are you driving today, sir?

me: with all respect sir, I'm only trying to get from point A to point B. I'm not breaking any laws, and I don't really feel like answering your questions. May I go now?

LEO (extremely grumpy, uncuffs me, writes out my ticket for the largest fine allowed by law for an infraction which I may or may not have commited, hands me back my weapon with the bullets removed from the magazines, and gives me a grumpy lecture on how I should act appropriately in awe of the omnipotent power of the badge the next time I'm stopped)

me: Thank you officer, have a nice day.

(the entire episode probably lasts less than an hour, and may or may not involve backup being called)

Now, let's count the number of constitutional rights I exercised above.

2nd amendment, check (keeping and bearing arms)
4th amendment, check (refusing an unreasonable search)
5th amendment, check (declining to be interrogated)

Yes, exercising your rights may not be the most convenient thing on earth, and it may take a bit of your time. It may even piss off an officer or two. But you will walk away feeling pride that you live in a free country.

-ishi

Are you sure about all that not answering etc. If you are pulled over for a traffic violation it is my understanding that you can be carried to jail, I know it is rare but possible at least here in SC. Also in SC you are required to present your permit if asked for ID and are carrying but the permit is not tied into either the drivers license or vehicle license plates. As for them being tied to vehicle license I think is stupid as the car I drive is in my wife's name and the one she normally drives is in mine. I also drive a state owned car at times.

I imagine that if you are pulled over for a traffic violation and refuse to do or say anything other than hand the officer your license, registration and insurance card it is going to be a long exciting day for you.
 
LEO: where are you driving today, sir?

me: with all respect sir, I'm only trying to get from point A to point B. I'm not breaking any laws, and I don't really feel like answering your questions. May I go now

LEO: I am sorry sir but I clocked you at 65 in a 55 zone so I believe that you are breaking a law. Do you want to cooperate here or at the jail house?

I don't know about Arkansas but in SC the HP can and will carry you to jail for a traffic violation. If you are an out-of-state resident and get pulled if you cannot post bail you can plan on going to jail until someone can bail you out. If you are a SC resident they have the option of allowing you to continue on a personal recognizance bond. I would not try to pull your little speech on a SC Highway Patrolman. I know several of them personally and they will carry you to jail.
 
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