Got pulled over...

[Lokidude]

Tonight I had the experience I've been dreading for three years, but it went in about the least sucktacular way possible. I got pulled over. That, on it's own, wouldn't be anything too bad. Been there, done that. But, as is my habit, I was carrying.

When he got to my window, I managed to calmly get out the spiel I've been practicing since the day I picked up my permit. "I'm an Idaho state concealed weapons permit holder and am carrying tonight. My pistol is under my seat." He thanked me for informing him, asked where my wallet was (in my back pocket) and had me get my license, etc. I also offered him my permit, which he barely looked at. Simply asked me to keep my hands on the wheel. Throughout it all, he was courteous, respectful, and non-condescending. Which is better than my usual after-midnight LEO interactions.

End result, minor non-moving citation, and a reinforced belief that there are some LEO's out there who don't have a problem with CCW, and that a bit of honesty and respect still goes a long way in these situations.

[FelixEstrella]

Most excellent!!! Very good to hear. But explain why you're an ID CCW holder and not UT?

[Lokidude]

Most excellent!!! Very good to hear. But explain why you're an ID CCW holder and not UT?

I was living in Idaho when I got my permit. Beautiful reciprocity and Idaho willing to issue to nonresidents allows my permit to stay valid and lets me carry in Utah until I get my UT permit.

[morsetaper]

I always liked the story (can't attest to it's veracity, tho') of the guy pulled over in Minnesota. After informing the officer that he was a permit holder, currently carrying, location of the firearm (holster on hip), caliber, etc., etc. The officer replied, without looking up from his license and registration, "s'okay, so am I".
Glad it went smoothly.

[arkythehun]

I've had to show my CHL twice to police. Both times they asked where it was. Other than the question, nothing further was asked.

[Joe ex PNG]

Sadly, the time I was pulled over I did have to hand the officer my CZ-75- which he did not know how to clear properly. He then took it to his car to run the serial numbers, gave me the ticket, and asked why I was carrying it, and why I was carrying it with hollow points. ('For protection', and 'Because of overpenetration' were my answers by the way.)

On the good side, that was a rather unusual attitude from my hometown PD. The officer that fingerprinted me for my CCW expressed support for me carrying.

[Jered]

Stories like this make me want to carry a Mauser C-96.

[mekender]

Sadly, the time I was pulled over I did have to hand the officer my CZ-75- which he did not know how to clear properly. He then took it to his car to run the serial numbers, gave me the ticket, and asked why I was carrying it, and why I was carrying it with hollow points. ('For protection', and 'Because of overpenetration' were my answers by the way.)

On the good side, that was a rather unusual attitude from my hometown PD. The officer that fingerprinted me for my CCW expressed support for me carrying.

Should have told him... "same reason cops do"

and what is this running the serial number shit? i never understand why cops do that in states where there isnt a registration database...

i would be surprised if it were even legal to do so without permission or a warrant... the law does allow them to disarm you... but unless they have suspicion that the gun is stolen, they would have no probable cause to do anything other than disarm you.

[Joe ex PNG]

I think he was running the numbers to see if the gun was stolen. I also got the feeling he was unfamiliar with anything that wasn't either a revolver or a Glock.
And I wasn't going to be anything else other than polite and cooperative. I had somewhere I needed to be, he didn't, and during a traffic stop is not the place to argue about gun rights. That would be done later with a lawyer if needed.

[Evyl Robot]

I think my pull-over story is hysterical:

http://evylrobot19.blogspot.com/2008/07 ... art-i.html

The officer didn't seem interested to learn where the gun was, what it was, or anything else. He just thought it was fabulous that I was exercising my rights, and "keeping the felons in check." Like the OP, I was scared out of my skull until this fine example of the Texas State Troopers put me at ease.

--Michael