To tell or not to tell ?

[THaves]

I am in a car park near the Airport with the kids. Along side parks a couple of Deputies from OCSD. The kids love cop cars and start pointing, one of the Deputies comes over to the car and I wind down the back window, he talks to thekids ( they are two ) and hands them some Junior Sheriff badges, he then comes to the passanger seat window which I wind down and we chat for about 5 mins. I am armed.......do I say anything ?

[AMS MIKE]

(hopefully you are NOT in the airport or somewhere you SHOULD NOT be CCWing)

YES. Since you are having a conversation and the kids are talking to him. if something were to happen, he knows you're strapped. Also incase he notices you are packing, he won't think you're hiding anything.

i would let him know by saying "Officer, I want you to see this (hand him your CCW rice paper and license) so there are no suprises." Don't make a big deal of it, just tell him casually and quietly.

Also because if you are talking with the officer and a BG attacks, he will be aware that you are CCWing.

[1buba]

I would have thought no, as it wasn't an official "contact". Kind of like seeing a LEO in a coffee shop and saying "hi" as you pass by. However, I can't remember the official wording on the OC permits.

As an aside, there is no requirement to inform in EDC.

[AMS MIKE]

Originally Posted by 1buba

I would have thought no, as it wasn't an official "contact". Kind of like seeing a LEO in a coffee shop and saying "hi" as you pass by. However, I can't remember the official wording on the OC permits.

As an aside, there is no requirement to inform in EDC.

If you just say Hi and thats all, i would say NO.

if you are in your car and he is outside the car and you are holding a conversation. I would think YES.

EDIT: reading owns me....just re-read Thaves post and he is in a car-park and next to OCSD B&W's. I thought he was in the car. In that case, i don't see a reason to tell them. You are just walking and stop to say hello for a few minutes. No need to tell them.

[1buba]

Originally Posted by AMS MIKE

EDIT: reading owns me....just re-read Thaves post and he is in a car-park and next to OCSD B&W's. I thought he was in the car. In that case, i don't see a reason to tell them. You are just walking and stop to say hello for a few minutes. No need to tell them.

LOL

[BonoVox]

Originally Posted by AMS MIKE

If you just say Hi and thats all, i would say NO.

if you are in your car and he is outside the car and you are holding a conversation. I would think YES.

EDIT: reading owns me....just re-read Thaves post and he is in a car-park and next to OCSD B&W's. I thought he was in the car. In that case, i don't see a reason to tell them. You are just walking and stop to say hello for a few minutes. No need to tell them.

one of the Deputies comes over to the car and I wind down the back window, he talks to thekids

Read again......

[flyingm]

Originally Posted by AMS MIKE

If you just say Hi and thats all, i would say NO.

if you are in your car and he is outside the car and you are holding a conversation. I would think YES.

EDIT: reading owns me....just re-read Thaves post and he is in a car-park and next to OCSD B&W's. I thought he was in the car. In that case, i don't see a reason to tell them. You are just walking and stop to say hello for a few minutes. No need to tell them.

If he is just walking by what windows did he roll down...

I believe Orange County says you have to inform the officer under any "official contact." Unfortunately what "official contact" means is up to interpretation. I assume if it is just saying Hi you have no obligation like AMS Mike and 1buba said. If it is longer than a minute and/or there is the possibility he might be able to see you print, it would probably be wise to show him your permit for your own safety.

[BonoVox]

My answer "it depends".

If after talking to the kids in the back he walks up to you and asks you if you realize your car registration is not valid. then...

[1buba]

Originally Posted by BonoVox

My answer "it depends".

If after talking to the kids in the back he walks up to you and asks you if you realize your registration is not valid. then...

I agree - THIS would be an "official contact".

I'm sure I'll probably get slapped down by a Guy later...

[BonoVox]

=1buba;28426]I agree - THIS would be an "official contact".

I'm sure I'll probably get slapped down by a Guy later...[/

Yep.

[AMS MIKE]

oh man, I need a nap and apparently reading comprehension is NOT my forte. lol

[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".

[THE Gimper]

Originally Posted by flyingm

I assume if it is just saying Hi you have no obligation like AMS Mike and 1buba said. If it is longer than a minute and/or there is the possibility he might be able to see you print, it would probably be wise to show him your permit for your own safety.

That seems the wisest course to me.

[BonoVox]

I think CCWI will jump THaves for starting this thread in the first place!!

BTW nice to meet you yesterday THaves!

[hbliam]

The kids love cop cars and start pointing, one of the Deputies comes over to the car and I wind down the back window, he talks to thekids ( they are two ) and hands them some Junior Sheriff badges,

Hmm, kind of a tough one.

In uniform and representing the OCSD, the deps took the time to talk with your kids and do some positive PR. Sounds like they were acting in an official capacity.

Or to look at it another way..if they said something you considered rude, wouldn't part of the complaint include the fact that they were in uniform and officially representing the OCSD? or would you shrug it off as a casual banter?

Lastly, and most importantly. If they saw you were strapped how much would your kids like watching you get pulled out of the car at gunpoint?

If I had to comply with a rule like that to keep my CCW I would err on the side of caution. A simple, "BTW, I have a valid CCW and have a gun in the car", would have been enough.