Interesting conversation with a LEO tonight

[dunndw]

Well...I zoned out in my neighborhood after picking up dinner and didn't stop..enough at a stop sign. Saw the blues...damn.

Pulled over...hands in plain sight. LEOs approach from both sides.

The "main" LEO introduces himself says no big deal..you just didn't stop "enough" at that stop sign back there.

I say...OOPS. Sorry. Before I go reaching for my ID I want to tell you I have a permit and I have my pistol on me. He says; OK, no big deal. I pull my ID and he goes back to his car.

Comes back a few minutes later, no ticket, but he told me that 90% of cops aren't shooters. The next time I get pulled over, I should have my license and permit ready to go when they come to the car. the word "gun" makes the hair on their neck stand up. I told him I had always heard to keep my hands where they can see them until told otherwise.

He said...and I quote. You can have your stuff out of your wallet before they can call in the stop.

Nice guy...should have invited him to TGO.

[Guest kwikrnu]

he told me that 90% of cops aren't shooters. The next time I get pulled over, I should have my license and permit ready to go when they come to the car. the word "gun" makes the hair on their neck stand up. I told him I had always heard to keep my hands where they can see them until told otherwise.

He said...and I quote. You can have your stuff out of your wallet before they can call in the stop.

Nice guy...should have invited him to TGO.

I see a couple of problems.

If the cop runs your plates he may know if you have a carry permit. Digging around for registration and stuff may not be a good idea if the cop knows you are armed and is nervous.

As far as I know you do not have to show your permit unless asked for it.

He must have been wrong about the 90% of all cops are not shooters figures. From what I can tell from web searches all cops are expert shots.

[Guest jackdog]

He must have been wrong about the 90% of all cops are not shooters figures. From what I can tell from web searches all cops are expert shots.

Your kidding I hope.

[Guest dotsun]

If the cop runs your plates he may know if you have a carry permit.

He won't know you have an HCP until he runs your DL.

[Guest GLOCKGUY]

As far as I know you do not have to show your permit unless asked for it.

fallguy where you at i my be wrong and if i am fullguy will let us know but in TN you have to let them know you have a HCP when you get pulled over

[Guest kwikrnu]

He won't know you have an HCP until he runs your DL.

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

[Guest bkelm18]

No, it is not required by law to notify the LEO that you have a HCP.

[TripleDigitRide]

And the next LEO is likely to give you different advice.

[Guest bkelm18]

And the next LEO is likely to give you different advice.

True. That's why I say just follow the old standard: Hands on the wheel until told otherwise.

[Guest kwikrnu]

fallguy where you at i my be wrong and if i am fullguy will let us know but in TN you have to let them know you have a HCP when you get pulled over

39-17-1351(n)(1) "...shall display the permit on demand of a law enforcement officer."

There are other States which have different requirements though.

About the whole law enforcement officer thing. I have been told by a non-cop security guard that he was a law enforcement official...

Edited May 7, 2008 by kwikrnu

[dunndw]

No it's not required...but I'm a lefty...ID is in my left hand pocket. I'm also (at the time) carrying my 5 inch stainless steel 1911 underneath a untucked button down shirt.

I'd rather be "polite" and let 'em know up front so I don't see how well a Glock fit my ear canal from letting some rookie get spooked because he sees my piece.

Not to mention...the LEO was very very polite from the get go.

[Guest Boomhower]

Not required at all.........and I see a lot of flaw in this cops "opinion".....Sounds to me like he just didn't want to fool with your traffic violation but had to because, well let's face it, that's his job, and thought you were holding him up by you doing what you concieved to be the right thing.

[Guest GLOCKGUY]

No, it is not required by law to notify the LEO that you have a HCP.

you are right i just look it up and it says. it is not mandated that you tell them. like i said i learn something new on here every day but ill still tell them for my on safety. because i to don't wont to see how well a Glock fit my ear canal

Edited May 7, 2008 by GLOCKGUY

[The Rabbi]

My position is that I will be polite but not especially helpful. If asked if I'm carrying I am not answering. AFAIK nothing requires me to answer that question. If he asks for my permit I will hand it over. If he asks to search my car, fuhgeddaboutit.

[Fallguy]

but he told me that 90% of cops aren't shooters.

But what about the other 10%?! Not sure I'd want to take a 1 in 10 chance of making the LEO antsy by moving around.

Myself I will stick with the hands on the wheel as they approach.

As has been posted, you don't have to notify them you are armed, only present your HCP upon demand. So it would depend on the situation if I notified the officer I was armed. But if for some reason it was to the point I or the vehicle was going to be searched, I would tell them instead of letting them find it.

[Guest GLOCKGUY]

But what about the other 10%?! Not sure I'd want to take a 1 in 10 chance of making the LEO antsy by moving around.

Myself I will stick with the hands on the wheel as they approach.

As has been posted, you don't have to notify them you are armed, only present your HCP upon demand. So it would depend on the situation if I notified the officer I was armed. But if for some reason it was to the point I or the vehicle was going to be searched, I would tell them instead of letting them find it.

see i always thought you had to tell them because i got pulled over about 6 years ago and the LEO that night jump my arse for not telling him i had a HCP. and the reason i didn't tell him was because i didn't have my gun on me that night . he said it did not matter if i had a gun or not. i am to tell them i have a HCP if i do or do not have a gun on me. i guess he was a dumb arse. well i know now what the law is

[Fallguy]

see i always thought you had to tell them because i got pulled over about 6 years ago and the LEO that night jump my arse for not telling him i had a HCP. and the reason i didn't tell him was because i didn't have my gun on me that night . he said it did not matter if i had a gun or not. i am to tell them i have a HCP if i do or do not have a gun on me. i guess he was a dumb arse. well i know now what the law is

Yes he definitely told you wrong. Back before I carried regularly, I dang sure wouldn't have told an officer I had a HCP if I wasn't even armed.

Not sure why, but it sounds like he either has a problem with armed citizens or are afraid of them and/or does not know the law.

It always depends on how much you want to press things if you want to "calmly" explain to an officer you think that he is wrong. Many times there is probably not really much to gain from it other times there maybe. I do know people that carry audio recorders for interactions with LEO's....just depending, may not be a bad idea.

[Mike.357]

I am not sure but what does it hurt to offer up your carry permit? I mean really, what does it hurt? Give me a good reason to not tell them. If it makes the cop feel better about the entire thing it may well help me not get written.

Besides all that I took my class from a Knox County Sheriff and he said to speak up about it right off. I think i will follow his advice.

[Guest kwikrnu]

I do know people that carry audio recorders for interactions with LEO's....just depending, may not be a bad idea.

Several years ago I had a video camera I carried in my truck. An airport cop pulled me over and I turned it on and set it on my dash. He called for backup and they hassled me a bit, but nothing came of it. They kept saying they didn't want to be video taped, I told them it wasn't their right not to taped.

Maybe I should start carrying a dedicated audio recorder with me. One they do not know about so when they are rude I can report them to their superiors.

[Guest eyebedam]

Several years ago I had a video camera I carried in my truck. An airport cop pulled me over and I turned it on and set it on my dash. He called for backup and they hassled me a bit, but nothing came of it. They kept saying they didn't want to be video taped, I told them it wasn't their right not to taped.

Maybe I should start carrying a dedicated audio recorder with me. One they do not know about so when they are rude I can report them to their superiors.

Were you looking for a reason to sue the goverment at the time?

[Guest kwikrnu]

I am not sure but what does it hurt to offer up your carry permit? I mean really, what does it hurt? Give me a good reason to not tell them.

It is the principle of the matter. If you don't legally have to tell them you shouldn't. Just like if they ask to search your car you tell them no. If a cop comes to your front door and wants to come in w/o a warrant you tell them no.

[Guest kwikrnu]

Were you looking for a reason to sue the goverment at the time?

I was going to sue them because you are an idiot.

[dralarms]

My position is that I will be polite but not especially helpful. If asked if I'm carrying I am not answering. AFAIK nothing requires me to answer that question. If he asks for my permit I will hand it over. If he asks to search my car, fuhgeddaboutit.

Rabbi,

This time I think you are wrong, If they ask you then you HAVE to tell them, but not before.

[towerclimber37]

I was going to sue them because you are an idiot.

An idiot he MAY be (personally, I thought he was funny as hell!), but he at least practices more than you.

[Mike.357]

Voldemort, the more I read your posts the more I am convinced you are a troll or an idiot.

big difference between telling a patrol officer you have a HCP and letting a cop search your home. Good God, what planet do you come from? What rock have you crawled out from under?

Do me a favor, if by some chance you are coming to one of our gatherings please let me know. I do not want to be in the same county as you if I can help it.

Mods, Is there an ignore feature on this website?