Got pulled over...

[FelixEstrella]

Just can't help noticing the general undercurrent of fear and trepidation at being stopped by a police officer while *legally* carrying, for *legally* exercising constitutional rights. I understand that not all police officers are on "our side" and not all accept the RKBA as gospel, but that is *their* problem not yours.

Is it unreasonable to assume that if *we* act like we've been given a hall pass for being good and asking to go to the bathroom, that we just enable the forces who try to revoke that hall pass?

[Netpackrat]

As previously described in TOF (that other forum...), I was pulled over in March on my way out to the cabin. I handed him my permit (I keep mine current, though Alaska no longer requires it) along with my DL. He just asked if I had any other guns besides the shotgun in the vertical rack, and I told him about the .22 in the console and the Glock on my left hip, and he didn't care beyond that, but did ask to see my wife's ID too. Didn't bother explaining that it wasn't actually a shotgun, but a very large rifle in the vertical rack. 8^)

What I really want to do, is get pulled over by Mike Wooten so I can shout, "Don't taze me, bro!"

[Weetabix]

I’ve been pulled over once since I received my CCW. I’d borrowed a friend’s trailer without knowing all of the laws pertaining to its use.

A deputy Sheriff pulled me over. I gave him my driver’s license, my CCW permit, and my insurance information, but I didn't say anything about my weapon one way or the other. He went back to run my information and plates.

While he went back, I removed my weapon from my holster, dropped the mag, locked the action open, and put it on the passenger seat covered by a bandanna. If he asked for it, I’d hand it to him, but I don’t hand a loaded weapon to anyone I don’t know. I also hoped he’d feel more comfortable seeing a locked open action and an empty mag well.

He didn't say one word about the CCW. He explained the very many violations the trailer occasioned, and as I politely asked questions for clarification, his list of things he was going to write me up for kept getting smaller. In the end he said he wasn't going to write me a ticket and told me in so many words to sit there until he was out of sight before I drove away so he wouldn't have to pull me over again.

I don't know if it was the CCW permit or the fact that I'm charming and unfailingly polite, but it was an entirely pleasant encounter.

[Aglifter]

TX DPS, College Station cops, and BFE LEOs all like CCW holders. Backwoods of SC is OK w. it, ones in Columbia and MB seem to tolerate it, but aren't as "friendly" as TX ones.

I've never had one ask to see my gun -- I have always volunteered that I had a CCW, where my gun(s) and my wallet were, and kept my hands on the steering wheel, and the car off, and the window down, however.

[Joe ex PNG]

It's not fear- I'm always polite to law enforcement, if I'm armed or not. The officer has no idea if I'm a law abiding citizen, or some junkie about to blow him away when he approaches my car. So, I act in a nice way- making no sudden moves, telling him what I'm about to do before I do it, ect, as to give him a good experience- because I really would like for more cops to see CCW holders as being good citizens, not a bunch of rude anti-law enforcement jerks with guns.

In other words, I want them on our side, not on the Brady Bunch's side. So, a little common courtesy goes a long way.

Also, I have read comments from folks like Massad Ayoob and Steve H (a Fl. lawyer). A traffic stop is not the place to go all wacko-libertarian "help, help, I'm being opressed!" If an officer is overstepping his boundries- which in my case he was not- then it's time to get a lawyer and judge involved. Remember what Chris posted about talking to cops? One should do it as little as possible during such a situation. And a long speech about rights and freedoms is a bit more talking then necessary.

Finally, I was just plain in the wrong with a moving violation.

[DKDay]

I have been pulled over 4 times (2 tickets, 2 warnings) since getting my license and the officers have never been rude about it. They asked where it was & one of them asked me to keep my hands on the wheel. The last one didn't have to ask me to do that, it was midnight and I was the very picture of a correct driver at a night stop.

[Termite]

<Termite scratches head>

I suppose it varies from state to state, but I always get out of my vehicle. Most LEOs in the South seem to prefer this. Usually by the time the LEO gets his car pulled up behind me, I'm leaning against my trunk, DL/registration/insurance card in hand.

Heck, on a motorcycle/scooter you CAN'T "stay in the vehicle".

[Aglifter]

In TX, esp. w. a CCW, we were told in the carry class, in no uncertain terms, to remain in the vehicle, unless the LEO asks us to get out - I think part of it was to make sure that the LEO saw the permit before he saw "GUN!" on a man getting out of his vehicle, and walking toward him...

[Steamforger]

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

All stolen firearms, when reported, are entered into the database at the National Crime Information Center. The overwhelming majority of police laptops in units have a direct connection to NCIC. In units that do not, it's just a short call to HQ where they do have the software.

The lack of a state database has nothing to do with it.

[Erik]

On the way home from a shooting session, local IPSC shooter didn't bother to take off his holster or gun. (As I understand the law this is actually legal. As long as the gun is unloaded and out of sight when you drive home, there's no rule that says you cant have it in your holster, just as well as in your bag.)
Then he came to a police checkpoint, with a long line of cars having their licenses checked and tested for DUI. A cop walks up to him, with another right behind him, and asks to see his drivers license. He replies it's in his wallet, which is in the trunk. So the officer asks him to get it, and he's halfway out when he realizes he still has his holster, and gun, on him. So he stops, looks at the officer and says the magic words: "Excuse me officer, but before I step out, I really should tell you that I'm armed". At the word "armed", the second officer literally jumped back several feet. The first officer asks him to slowly step outside, assume the position against the car, and then proceeds to disarm him and place the gun and magazines on the hood of the car, with several officers around.
I was told that the people in the other cars was desperatelly trying to get a better view of what the officers had caught in the car behind them.

Anyway, after he had produced his wallet with his drivers license and his weapons license, as well as his competition license, he was free to go. He was more or less amused by the whole story, and what effect the word "armed" had on the officers. I think he probably should have phrased it more as "I was just at the range, and I still have the equipment on me"