|
|
|||||||
| Register | FAQ | Members List | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
| Experiences/Stories While Carrying Share your CCW stories here |
 |
|
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
06-08-2009, 02:36 PM
|
||||
|
||||
First Traffic Stop With CCW
Was just a fishing expedition...but felt a bit odd...
Coming home from church last night at ~11:00 PM. I usher and had stayed late to help clean up. Family had already gone home in my wife's car. All of a sudden a cop lights me up with the full treatment. All lights blazing. I am not speeding or doing anything illegal, so I am puzzled. Pull over immediately. I have not had any ticket of any kind or even been pulled over in over 25 years, so I'm a bit dumbfounded about the reason. He leaves all his lights on including his spot. As I have read here and other places, I turned off my engine, rolled down my front windows, turned on my interior lights, placed my wallet on the dash in front of me, and kept my hands on the wheel. Cop took 5 full minutes to approach me. Came up passenger side and swept the car interior repeatedly with his flashlight. He announces his name and says he stopped me because my car didn't have a front license plate. My car is a 2006 Chrysler 300C that I bought used in 2007 and has never had a front plate. I had never given it a moment's thought. He then starts questioning me about where I was coming from and where I was going. Frankly, I resented this, but honestly answered I was coming from church and heading home. He wanted to know what church. He then asks for license, registration, and insurance. His flashlight is still sweeping my car. I get my license and CCW out of my wallet (CCW is folded neatly with the license) and offer them to him stating that in addition to the license I think it wise to give him this as a courtesy though it is not required by law. He rather abruptly says "What? What is it?" I reply that it is my 'CCW permit' and that "I am carrying on my right hip". Stone cold silence. After a moment or two, he says "I'll be right back", and heads back to his car. Never got a chance to find my insurance or registration. A few minutes later his tone had changed, and he very politely handed me back my license and CCW and addressed me by name, wishing me a good evening. By then I had my insurance and registration ready, but he didn't care and started to walk away. I asked "well, what about my front plate...is it really required?" He said, "yes...you should take care of that soon...have a good evening", and headed for his car. He clearly didn't care at all about the missing plate. My car does have 22" low profile custom wheels, custom grill, and some extra chrome bling...I figure he was just fishing to see what he could find. It admittedly felt odd to apparently be profiled in such a manner. Gave me a taste of what others seem to deal with frequently. 
|
|
06-08-2009, 02:42 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Driving While PIMPED. Basically, what happened is your vehicle fit a "Profile". Profiling by the police is perfectly legal so long as it isnt based on race or sexual orientation etc (the suspect classes).... If you consciously wear certain clothes, or drive a car with certain accessories that attracts attention or that are often associated with a criminal element, youre going to get attention from the cops who are expecting to find contraband in the vehicle or on your person. Now, your clothing or your car are not enough to stop you. He needs "reasonable suspicion" that you are engaged in illegal behavior to effectuate a stop. In your case you gave him all he needs. The lack of a front plate (Which I also dont have on my cars BTW) being a technical violation of the vehicle code is an invitation (or excuse as the case may be) for the police to stop you and stick their noses in your vehicle. Broken taillight, no license plate light, cracked windshield, etc etc etc are all other (perfectly legal) excuses to stop a car the officer feels like pulling over. But I've never met a cop who is really on a crusade to save the world from the dangers of missing front plates.
__________________
"P.S. Somebody is going to have to PM me why I have an account here already... Where am I? How did I get here? Im a founding member no less?" "Seriously... I have no idea where I am..... What happened?" "MMIMB" 
Last edited by RomanDad : 06-08-2009 at 02:54 PM.
|
|
06-08-2009, 05:19 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
~Gun control means being able to hit your target.~ ~After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it.~ William Burroughs ~An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject~ Unknown
|
|
06-08-2009, 05:32 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Profiling vehicles
I was just listening to the Gun Talk Pod cast from Sundays show and they spoke about this very thing happening more. In this case the gentleman feels he was stopped due to the religious, NRA, and American flag stickers on his car. You know all of us are potential terrorists if you read the memo from DHS!
|
|
06-08-2009, 05:32 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Sounds like your CCW saved you from further hassle. He wasn't expecting a legal gun. Next time when you're coming home from church, have a better story ready...'cause I'm sure that's what everybody says!
|
|
06-08-2009, 06:13 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
|
|
06-08-2009, 06:47 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Lucky for me I also have no "bling" and drive older plain cars  It sure must be terrible to have your bling showing!!!
|
|
06-08-2009, 07:11 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I too have been running without a front plate since I bought my truck new. Anyone that has seen my truck knows that it stands out like a sore thumb because of the color. As I drive to and from work, I use a short stretch of CA state highway so my chances of meeting a CHP and/or a county sheriff face to face as I'm driving are pretty good. When I see them in the oncoming lane I make sure that I'm prepared to wave hello as we pass, and usually get a return wave. To say that they are looking at me is a given. I too have a little bling (20' wheels, lowered and NO FRONT PLATE
 )I've been fortunate, the only times I've been pulled over was for an expired registration sticker (funds had been paid) and when a CHP friend of mine was on duty and needed advice about getting Internet service at his house. Just out of curiosity, Dparker, Madera County, Fresno or CHP?
__________________
Chuck Society Of The Honor Guard, Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier, Founding Life Member NRA Benefactor Member CRPA Member Self Defense Firearms Training - Be Safe, Be Confident, Get Trained! Most of us here know "A Guy" Do you? Posted by 3boyzmom Quote:
|
|
06-09-2009, 01:43 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
 Well handled, DParker  Last edited by derringer : 06-09-2009 at 01:46 AM.
|
|
06-09-2009, 06:43 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
As to the 'where are you coming from/going to?' question, I briefly considered a "that is none of your concern, officer" type answer (since I then knew it was only a fix-it stop), but then I thought 'how often do you get a great line' like "I am coming from church", which of course was the truth. I fully understand why they ask such questions, but it sticks in my craw that I am expected to explain my comings and goings like we are in a police state. Just feels like a "show me your papers" moment. As to the front plate, I really had never even thought about it. I knew there wasn't one, but just assumed it wasn't required. I have since learned it is required but that dealers deliver vehicles routinely without front plates after the buyer signs a form. Yesterday I make it a point to look, and I'd say at least a fourth of every vehicle I saw did not have a front plate. Obviously, it's a great "pull me over please" pass for any cop. I'll leave it as-is for now. As a Realtor I drive constantly and this was my first encounter. Until I get a fix-it ticket, I'll leave my pristine front end alone. Of course in my case, I have nothing illegal and nothing to hide if I do get pulled over.
|
|
06-09-2009, 10:20 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
|
|
06-09-2009, 10:33 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
Not a law professor.
|
|
06-09-2009, 12:20 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
 spc
__________________
SierraNevadaCCW "The difference between someone on the left and us, is we instinctively understand this through common sense, education and intelligence -- while liberals have trust issues, control issues and view the world from fantasy land." 
|
|
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | |
|
|
Linear Mode
