To tell or not to tell ?

[MadMex]

A colleague and I met at a local Starbucks this a.m. to review some paperwork. There were two LEOs sitting inside having coffee. They eventually left. Throughout the rest of the morning three more pairs of LEOs came and went. I mused over you guys in OC.

God Bless Sheriff Bonner.

[AMS MIKE]

Just got back from dinner with my parents. They don't know I carry, let alone know I am a "Gun-Slut-in-training". I chose to sit where my left side is towards my mom and my strong side towards the aisle at a 4 person booth. As soon as I walked up the table I knew where I would sit. Before I would contemplate if they would make me or not by nudging me on the side by mistake or if I was in aisle I would print. Well not anymore, Its just instinct now; didn't even question myself. Its nice to realize that what I do differently because I carry is now coming naturally.

[Mad Geek]

[PirateQueen]

Originally Posted by Mad Geek

We're having fun now!

Based on conversations I've had with a few of my LEO friends, I would have done just as Mike suggested initially, and for those reasons specifically.

IMO: It may be a casual contact for the driver, but an official contact for the LEO. I would much rather have the officer know as soon as we were engaged in conversation that I was legally armed instead of him getting an adrenaline jolt when I move the wrong way and he sees something that gives him pause.

I've been by CCWI before, so at least he won't get a "cherry".

I think that a better attitude to take. Show him, what harm can there be? I thinks they will appreciate it too.

[hbliam]

Originally Posted by MadMex

A colleague and I met at a local Starbucks this a.m. to review some paperwork. There were two LEOs sitting inside having coffee. They eventually left. Throughout the rest of the morning three more pairs of LEOs came and went. I mused over you guys in OC.

God Bless Sheriff Bonner.

Mused over what? No need or obligation in Orange County to say anything just because a couple cops are in the same Starbucks as you.

It's during a contact. They say hi as they walk by: not a contact. They tell you they would like to ask you some questions regarding an incident that occured outside: contact.

[hbliam]

Originally Posted by MadMex

In OC when a skycop is hovering over your house are you required to run outside and wave your papers in the air?

How about when you’re passing through a DUI checkpoint?

What about passing through a construction zone and the trooper motions YOU, the lead car, to stop?

Better yet, how about when a policeman motions YOU, the lead car, to stop so a funeral motorcade can have the right of way?

Seriously, it would be interesting to have your Sheriff respond to SierraNevadaCCW’s quiz.

That would be no, yes (if you are stopped at the checkpoint and no if you are waved through), no, and no.

[MadMex]

Originally Posted by hbliam

Mused over what? No need or obligation in Orange County to say anything just because a couple cops are in the same Starbucks as you.

It's during a contact. They say hi as they walk by: not a contact. They tell you they would like to ask you some questions regarding an incident that occured outside: contact.

I agree with you, however, some of your OC brethren would disagree. How would you respond to the first post of this thread?

[THE Gimper]

Originally Posted by MadMex

I agree with you, however, some of your OC brethren would disagree. How would you respond to the first post of this thread?

The first post in this thread described more than just a simple "Hello" at Starbucks. It was a described as a protracted conversation with an officer who had approached a vehicle in an offical capacity. So, no. his "OC brethren" do not disagree.

[MadMex]

Originally Posted by THE Gimper

The first post in this thread described more than just a simple "Hello" at Starbucks. It was a described as a protracted conversation with an officer who had approached a vehicle in an offical capacity. So, no. his "OC brethren" do not disagree.

I regularly shoot at a BLM location in my county. On occasion the sheriff on patrol drives up to check out what’s happening. Regardless of what I’m shooting, I always have an additional concealed firearm. When the sheriff rolls up, I unload and lay down whatever I’m shooting on my tailgate, and take the initiative to approach his vehicle for conversation. I thank him/her for their service. Would you disclose your CCW?

[hbliam]

Originally Posted by MadMex

I regularly shoot at a BLM location in my county. On occasion the sheriff on patrol drives up to check out what’s happening. Regardless of what I’m shooting, I always have an additional concealed firearm. When the sheriff rolls up, I unload and lay down whatever I’m shooting on my tailgate, and take the initiative to approach his vehicle for conversation. I thank him/her for their service. Would you disclose your CCW?

You approach his vehicle packing: Yes.

I get the feeling that you are talking down to the OC CCW's simply because they have to follow this minor rule. A rule that no doubt puts them in a postion to talk about CCW in a positive way with LEOS.

[THE Gimper]

Originally Posted by MadMex

I regularly shoot at a BLM location in my county. On occasion the sheriff on patrol drives up to check out what’s happening. Regardless of what I’m shooting, I always have an additional concealed firearm. When the sheriff rolls up, I unload and lay down whatever I’m shooting on my tailgate, and take the initiative to approach his vehicle for conversation. I thank him/her for their service. Would you disclose your CCW?

So, you deliberately "lay down and unload" whatever you're shooting so as to reassure him that everything is safe now, and then you deliberately approach him with a concealed weapon which you don't disclose?

And you think that it is appropriate to deceive him like that?

Originally Posted by hbliam

You approach his vehicle packing: Yes.

Precisely. We're not going out of our way to make contact with LEOs, but when we are contacted, we are required to disclose.

[CCWInstructor]

Originally Posted by MadMex

. I mused over you guys in OC.

DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM? Lets bring it out in the open. As one of the three individuals involved in making that policy, I'd love to hear.

Utah and lots of other states require that you notify also. It's a officer safety issue. It doesn't sound like you are one, so maybe you don't understand the logic.

[hbliam]

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM? Lets bring it out in the open. As one of the three individuals involved in making that policy, I'd love to hear.

Utah and lots of other states require that you notify also. It's a officer safety issue. It doesn't sound like you are one, so maybe you don't understand the logic.

Kinda what I was asking...but uhh, a bit more direct.

[CCWInstructor]

Originally Posted by hbliam

Kinda what I was asking...but uhh, a bit more direct.

When it comes to officer safety, I'm very Blunt. Both you and I know what its like to be in T stops.

[Bombard]

All right, this is a little bit thread drifty but I'll take the chance.

If your goal is to make the officer feel safe, what is the best way to physically present yourself if stopped while walking?

I know what to do if I'm driving - keep my hands at 10 and 2, roll down all the windows. If carrying, inform the officer of that, etc.

Suppose you're out walking in a residential area at night. You're not doing anything illegal, you're not carrying, but for some reason a patrol officer thinks you look wrong. He lights you up with the spotlight.

What's the best thing to do to appear non threatening and cooperative? I wouldn't walk over to his window unless he asks me to. Stand still and wait for him to say something? I would keep my hands visible - but does that mean loose at my sides or with my fingers interlaced in front of me?