Do you tell police you have a gun in the car?

[sinac84]

I personally have my G19 holstered and on my hip or holstered and visible on the center console. If the pistol is holstered and on my hip I would rather play it safe by keeping my hands on the steering wheel and tell the LEO that, "I am a conceal carry license holder and I am conceal carrying right now. With your permission I would like to reach into my left, back pocket and get my wallet." This has works just fine before when I was at a check point and the police were checking for licenses and insurance. The LEO thanked me for how I handled the situation and sent me on my way. If my G19 is holstered and visible in the center console I would let the LEO know that it was there (using similar verbiage) if he/she didn't see it already and we'll go from there. It's rare that I drive with it on the console but sometimes, depending on the pant's I'm wearing it can be a little uncomfortable on a long drive.

I have found that the more polite and respectful you are to any LEO the better the experience is if you are pulled over or at a check point. Usually, the people who act asses usually get treated as such.

 

[Indirect Fire]

Then again when I was real young I got pulled over way more that when I realized the world did not revolve around me...

The upside of aging a bit, one ticket in two decades LOL. Age has it's benefits

 

[Jump211]

All you have to say is you have nothing illegal in the car !!!!!!!

I argued (against) this point till I was blue in the face with a good friend who insisted that is what he would do (untested yet). I think that would just cause an unnecessary delay in moving on with my business. I would love to hear some feedback from any LEOs here as to how they would react. Ultimately, there probably is not much the police could do if they don't have a lawful reason to search your car; however, I don't see the sense in trying to act dicky about it when the cop can just hold you up for a lot longer than initially intended. I'm not a big fan of the officer handling my gun as I stated in an earlier post (because one of them dropped it on the roof of my car and never even apologized), but I don't see any upside to lying or playing games like saying "there is nothing illegal in the car".

 

[Badger]

I argued (against) this point till I was blue in the face with a good friend who insisted that is what he would do (untested yet). I think that would just cause an unnecessary delay in moving on with my business. I would love to hear some feedback from any LEOs here as to how they would react. Ultimately, there probably is not much the police could do if they don't have a lawful reason to search your car; however, I don't see the sense in trying to act dicky about it when the cop can just hold you up for a lot longer than initially intended. I'm not a big fan of the officer handling my gun as I stated in an earlier post (because one of them dropped it on the roof of my car and never even apologized), but I don't see any upside to lying or playing games like saying "there is nothing illegal in the car".

If we tried to respond to you on something like this, it just open the door to totally trash this thread into another LEO bashing one by ALL the keyboard experts and internet schooled amateur lawyers with their ridiculous unfounded, unsubstantiated utterances from their vast knowledge of how LEO's should do their job.

 

[Jump211]

If we tried to respond to you on something like this, it just open the door to totally trash this thread into another LEO bashing one by ALL the keyboard experts and internet schooled amateur lawyers with their ridiculous unfounded, unsubstantiated utterances from their vast knowledge of how LEO's should do their job.

I hear ya. That rhetoric does start to get a little old.

 

[Shovelhead]

For those guys who volunteer their GWL .... why? Especially if it's in a glove box or concealed carry. I dont see the reason because the next question from the LEO will probably be . Where is the weapon?

 

[militaryrednek]

only if asked will i.

 

[Cobalt 60]

I just tell them its none of their damn business and then ask if I am being detained.

 

[sinac84]

For those guys who volunteer their GWL .... why? Especially if it's in a glove box or concealed carry. I dont see the reason because the next question from the LEO will probably be . Where is the weapon?

I'd rather it be known to the LEO purely out of respect. Also, I can see more things going wrong by not telling them than if I did tell them.

If my G19 is within my reach I will let them know (basically every time I'm in my truck). If I have rifles or other long guns in the truck and they are unloaded (and they always are) and not within reach, then if I'm asked, I'll let them know. I realize that if they find out I am carrying concealed the next question would be if there are any other weapons in the vehicle.

 

[Bear44]

If I have one loaded for self defense, yes. I don't do it because I feel I need to. I just do it as a courtesy to the officer. Their job is tough enough. They don't need any surprises. I have never had a problem.