Pulled over by the CHP while carrying

[Harry Carry]

We're reopening this thread for discussion. Remember to keep it polite and helpful.

[hbliam]

Thanks for re-opening the thread. I wanted to make some points of my own.

As a Reserve PO in a large So Cal Department in a high crime area with an extremely active gang population I would prefer that you hand me the CCW with your CDL and let me figure it out.

I don't know that I would prone you out in the street if you worded it the way you did but I definitely would clear leather (with my beautiful Wilson CQB 1911 that CCWI happened to do the DOJ transfer on, small world ) and the stop would take a turn that you may or may not appreciate. Even with the CCW there is going to be an extreme amount of care/caution taken on the entire interaction with you.

The CHP (IMHO and meaning no disrespect to the CHP) isn't a good gauge of what is going to happen the majority of the time. They do many things that would be grounds for a recruit working as a City Police Officer to be fired during training....such as standing in front of the windshield on stops and rarely calling their stops in. They do these things out of neccessity. CHP dispatch cannot handle the extreme amount of radio traffic they generate and as such they can't put themselves out. They also need to watch not only you but oncoming traffic so they don't get hit. Lastly, they don't prone alot of people out like City cops do simply because getting you out of the car on the freeway puts you in danger and them in an increased amount of liability.

There is also the high likelihood that he let you go because he didn't want to try to write a ticket and watch a guy that he knows is armed at the same time.

RE: SPM. Working the jail as a Deputy (yes, I recognize you from another forum, the one where you said you would call a Sgt. to verify that a Reserve PO with confidential plates, a badge, and a Police ID is allowed to carry CCW. ) I would guess you have limited traffic stop experiance as you last stated in 7/06 that you were still working the jails.

Thus my suggestion is not to disregard what 45ACP and CCWI states from their obviously lengthy experiance. To say that any Officer is unprofessional and undertrained because they put someone in a felony prone position upon hearing that they have a gun is arrogant and disprespectful. You work the streets for a while and listen and respond NIGHTLY to calls going out of Officers having someone at gunpoint, cops being shot at, ect. and then you can berate these guys.

I can also verify that PO's do NOT have CCW info available to them via dispatch or the in car computers.

[SierraNevadaCCW]

The best thing to do on a traffic stop is relax. Take a deep breath and be cool.

Then...do what you're told and be friendly...and disclose your permit right up front...whether it be by handing it or calmly informing about it.

If you hand it...I think you have less of a chance of issues...and it's probably a really good idea. It would cut down on misunderstandings and other officer safety concerns.

That said...if the officer doesn't know what a CCW is...then that piece of paper with the typewriting on it...may look sketched too... LOL

Good Luck.

[CalCCW03]

Originally Posted by Harry Carry

We're reopening this thread for discussion. Remember to keep it polite and helpful.

Indeed. This thread got a bit out of hand. Please keep it civil.

[DParker]

For you LEOs, does the car, appearance and demeanor effect your response? I would guess that THaves probably looks somewhat "respectable", and not like a gang-banger, and wouldn't (shouldn't) it make a difference?

In one scenario you pull over a lowered Chevy with some guy wearing baggy jeans, wife beater tee, and a doo rag. He says..."hey dude...I got me a Glock in my pants, but it's cool...I also got me a permit thing."

In another scenario, a guy is pulled over in his Town Car, he is clean cut wearing a tie and jacket, puts both hands on the wheel and says "officer I first want to inform you that I have a valid california CCW in my wallet in my left rear pocket and that I am carrying on my right hip."

I've never been a cop, but I can imagine I would respond to each scenario a bit differently. Thoughts?

[Spicy McHaggis]

Originally Posted by DParker

For you LEOs, does the car, appearance and demeanor effect your response? I would guess that THaves probably looks somewhat "respectable", and not like a gang-banger, and wouldn't (shouldn't) it make a difference?

In one scenario you pull over a lowered Chevy with some guy wearing baggy jeans, wife beater tee, and a doo rag. He says..."hey dude...I got me a Glock in my pants, but it's cool...I also got me a permit thing."

In another scenario, a guy is pulled over in his Town Car, he is clean cut wearing a tie and jacket, puts both hands on the wheel and says "officer I first want to inform you that I have a valid california CCW in my wallet in my left rear pocket and that I am carrying on my right hip."

I've never been a cop, but I can imagine I would respond to each scenario a bit differently. Thoughts?

The appearance of the person being pulled over plays a big role in how an officer will respond to you. Most officers will probably not admit this in public though, because some people call this "profiling" or even "rascism". I call it "being on your toes". A buddy of mine who works gang detail always says this phrase "If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, acts like a duck; it must be a duck." There are always exceptions to everything though.

[Dan M.]

Originally Posted by DParker

In one scenario you pull over a lowered Chevy with some guy wearing baggy jeans, wife beater tee, and a doo rag. He says..."hey dude...I got me a Glock in my pants, but it's cool...I also got me a permit thing."...Thoughts?

I think he'd say "permit thang."

[CCWInstructor]

Originally Posted by DParker

For you LEOs, does the car, appearance and demeanor effect your response? I would guess that THaves probably looks somewhat "respectable", and not like a gang-banger, and wouldn't (shouldn't) it make a difference?

I treat them all the same. Respectable dressed people kill cops too. The "Family" dresses real sharp. so do "Dealers".

I'll say it again. I assume everybody is armed, and they are going to try and kill me on every car stop. IF I don't do that? I might die. That is not a option in my book.

[CCWInstructor]

Originally Posted by hbliam

RE: SPM. Working the jail as a Deputy (yes, I recognize you from another forum, the one where you said you would call a Sgt. to verify that a Reserve PO with confidential plates, a badge, and a Police ID is allowed to carry CCW. ) I would guess you have limited traffic stop experiance as you last stated in 7/06 that you were still working the jails.

I had that e-mailed to me plus his birthday. I really like those comments before ever going to Patrol school.

[Ghost]

I have to agree with 45acp. If you get pulled over you should give your ccw n cdl w/o question! You have to remember this as I dated a irl who's father was a LEO. The amount of stress they go thru an think of all the bad things they do deal with. If you respect yourself and the officer you do the right thing. After all you both (officer n CCW holder) are rsponsible adults. The officer has to set his saftey 1st it's his job, once he figures out what is happening he will deal with it accordingly.

[sdphoto]

Allot of good points being posted here, 45 ACP .... As I do not have a CCW Lic. When going to the range or on a long road trip I fully comply to the rules of transporting (Mags in front, Pistol in locked case in trunk) How would you take it if I was to say "Hi Officer, just to let you know for both of our safeties I have my pistol in the trunk"

How would that go over with you and Is there a better way to inform or?

anyone else have suggestions?

And when Im done @ the range I keep my reciepts in the case just in case I get pulled over and show GC that I actually did come from the range. I almost anticipate it just to see what will happen. Yeah Almost like the OP when he was ready to see what was going to happen.

[rycerz]

Originally Posted by sdphoto

Allot of good points being posted here, 45 ACP .... As I do not have a CCW Lic. When going to the range or on a long road trip I fully comply to the rules of transporting (Mags in front, Pistol in locked case in trunk) How would you take it if I was to say "Hi Officer, just to let you know for both of our safeties I have my pistol in the trunk"

If you are transporting unloaded in the trunk you don't have to disclose unless you are asked. Only CCW holders from certain counties have to inform of the firearm and that is only if it is loaded and on their person.

[CCWInstructor]

DO NOT disclose you have guns period. You will be taken out of the car, handcuffed on the curb while the officer searches the rest of your car.

Because of "Officer Safety" you just gave them a free search.

[BonoVox]

Originally Posted by sdphoto

Allot of good points being posted here, 45 ACP .... As I do not have a CCW Lic. When going to the range or on a long road trip I fully comply to the rules of transporting (Mags in front, Pistol in locked case in trunk) How would you take it if I was to say "Hi Officer, just to let you know for both of our safeties I have my pistol in the trunk"

How would that go over with you and Is there a better way to inform or?

anyone else have suggestions?

And when Im done @ the range I keep my reciepts in the case just in case I get pulled over and show GC that I actually did come from the range. I almost anticipate it just to see what will happen. Yeah Almost like the OP when he was ready to see what was going to happen.

As everyone said you don't need to inform and would be wise not to. Out of sight out of mind.

I would keep the mags in the trunk too. Or for sure out of sight, if you keep them in the front.

With the exception of Assault Weapons you don't need to prove you are coming or going from a range to legally carry unloaded and locked up firearms in your car.

[sdphoto]

I read a post in here saying you can have your mags loaded, Is this true?

I always thought they needed to be unloaded just as your "legally" allowed to carry your pistol in open view in public just as long as it isnt loaded and someone else is holding the mags..... Or is that another urban legend?

Even if it is legal youd be tackled in an instant and hassled every 15 feet.