To tell or not to tell ?

[BonoVox]

"BTW, I have a valid CCW and have a gun in the car"

Good chance that gets you thrown out of the car at gunpoint.

Hand DL and CCW to officer if you plan on going there.

Why should he believe you until he has the proof in his hands? Likely all he hears is GUN from you in the above statement.

[hbliam]

Originally Posted by BonoVox

Good chance that gets you thrown out of the car at gunpoint.

Hand DL and CCW to officer if you plan on going there.

Why should he believe you until he has the proof in his hands? Likely all he hears is GUN from you in the above statement.

I don't agree. Thaves kids, car, and demeanor and the volunteered admission are going to result in a conversation. A t-stop is different. I'd even go back to my last post and retract a bit now that I think about it more. If they saw the gun they more then likely would ask him why he has it prior to pulling him out of the car.

[CCWInstructor]

That is a official contact. CDL and CCW get handed over.

[Crosley]

I asked my Sheriff and report here for you.

Sheriff said 'NO way, keep it to yourself unless asked". Also, was told that unless an LEO has a reason to throw me on the ground, they won't. Don't give them a reason, keep my CCW to myself!

Sheriff went on to tell me that if I go telling LEO's I have a gun without being asked, my permit could get yanked.

How's that for an answer? I suggest you ask your issuing authority and forget about asking questions like that on a web forum. Some of these people, although well intentioned, might get you hurt.

[hbliam]

OC CCW holders are required to notify LEO's during a contact that they are CCW.

[Mad Geek]

Sheriff went on to tell me that if I go telling LEO's I have a gun without being asked, my permit could get yanked.

That just doesn't sound right to me. Not to say that is not what you were told, but the only reason it would be mentioned to begin with would be for my safety and to put the LEO at ease. Based on your comment, telling a LEO you are legally carrying a firearm, and having the license to prove the same, why would that be a reason to throw you to the ground or get your license pulled?

[thegratenate]

My own personal "comfort barometer" says that you are just trying to show how important you are if you flash your rice paper without at least having been asked for your ID.

But my opinion is not important, what matters is that of the issuing authority.

If the policy is to present your permit then it is clearly not a "judgment call" you simply present your permit, likewise if the guy who signed your permit wishes for you to keep that information to yourself until it is requested, then that's what should be done.

I see no harm in discussing this on the internet, as long as everyone recognizes that the issuing agency has the final say.

[Harry Carry]

"Deputy, just FYI, I'm required to show you this..."

CDL and CCW get handed over.

[Bombard]

Originally Posted by thegratenate

My own personal "comfort barometer" says that you are just trying to show how important you are if you flash your rice paper without at least having been asked for your ID.

But my opinion is not important, what matters is that of the issuing authority.

If the policy is to present your permit then it is clearly not a "judgment call" you simply present your permit, likewise if the guy who signed your permit wishes for you to keep that information to yourself until it is requested, then that's what should be done.

I see no harm in discussing this on the internet, as long as everyone recognizes that the issuing agency has the final say.

In the case of OCSD, the question is what constitutes "official contact." Any conversation? Together in line in Starbucks? His sitting in front of your house with a radar gun? I understand and agree in this case, since the conversation went on for several minutes. I think Harry C's line "I'm required to show you this" and when he asks if you're carrying answer "Yes" and follow instructions. is the best course of action.

[THE Gimper]

OK. We've dealt with this before, and answered most of these questions. Please read http://www.calccw.com/Forums/general...-carrying.html

Search is your friend.

[AMS MIKE]

Originally Posted by The Gimper

OK. We've dealt with this before, and answered most of these questions. Please read http://www.calccw.com/Forums/general...-carrying.html

Search is your friend.

That was some great info. Thanks Gimper!

[TaxMan]

Originally Posted by Crosley

I asked my Sheriff and report here for you.

Sheriff said 'NO way, keep it to yourself unless asked". Also, was told that unless an LEO has a reason to throw me on the ground, they won't. Don't give them a reason, keep my CCW to myself!

Sheriff went on to tell me that if I go telling LEO's I have a gun without being asked, my permit could get yanked.

How's that for an answer? I suggest you ask your issuing authority and forget about asking questions like that on a web forum. Some of these people, although well intentioned, might get you hurt.

That's fine, if it's accurate, but this is not NorCal. The defining answer has already come from the local expert:

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

That is a official contact. CDL and CCW get handed over.

[AMS MIKE]

taken from the link Gimper posted.

Originally Posted by SierraNevadaCCW

So what does that mean? What is "informal" and what is "casual"?

POP QUIZ
You have 15 seconds to answer each question and need to score a 100% to pass or have your CCW revoked by CalCCW staff.

Multiple Choice. Please circle the correct answer.

1. Cops eating lunch in a restaurant and you are being seated by the host...as you walk by toward your table they say hi.

A. You smile and say hi back, keep walking to your table and have a nice meal.

B. You stop and say, "officers...I am required to inform you that I am CCW."

C. You wink at them and offer your phone number.

D. You yell "pigs!".


2. You are walking down the sidewalk and see a traffic accident. The cops arrive and one comes up to the group of bystanders on the corner watching...and asks...what happened?

A. You announce casually that you are armed and CCW.

B. You answer the question in an accurate and honest manner so the officer can do his/her job quickly and without added problems.

C. You look both ways and run.

D. You say...I saw nothing and I take the 5th!


3. You're getting out of your car in a parking lot and a cop is running by and says...which way did that guy with the ski mask run!!??

A. You say "I am required to inform you that I am legally armed and CCW".

B. He ran that way! You point to where the suspect ran and feel good inside for doing a good deed for the day, helping the police and getting the bad guy off the streets.

C. You throw your ski mask and run.


4. You're walking at the faire with your family and see a police booth where they are handing out flyers for open jobs and have a unit parked for kids to climb around in and check out.

A. You walk up to the 6 cops at the booth and say, "I'm CCW...just in case I can be of assistance."

B. You enjoy the booth with your family and chat with the nice officers, then go and get some cotton candy for your kids.

C. You draw your weapon with your weak hand and offer it to the officers.

D. You run.

Turn in your exam to the moderator and we will let you know if you will need to turn in your CCW or can continue to carry your weapon in public.

Thank you.

[Mad Geek]

My own personal "comfort barometer" says that you are just trying to show how important you are if you flash your rice paper without at least having been asked for your ID.

This statement is rather telling. For anyone to say that they know my reason for notifying an officer I am legally carrying is BS. It doesn't make my chest puff out to carry, nor would it make me feel like the officer would necessarily treat be better/different knowing that about me.

As others have mentioned in this thread, a casual contact is one thing. An official contact is still another and could require different actions, some dictated by the issuing authority. Know what is REQUIRED of you will dictate what you do to a certain extent. The rest will be done based on what your gut, or "comfort barometer" tells you that you should do based on the circumstances.

[thegratenate]

I'm sorry if it looked like I was making fun of anyone.


I don't wish to call BS on anyone, the most important point is that the rules given are followed, no matter what one thinks of them. It really doesn't matter how the rules make one feel, they are to be followed.

And I appreciate these scenarios being posted for us to get professional input on what constitutes contact.

I can see how not understanding the rules could get a permit pulled, and that is not what anyone wants.