imfdb.org  

Go Back   imfdb.org > The Forum > Just Guns

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-30-2013, 10:34 PM
2wingo 2wingo is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Coeur d'Alene, ID, USA
Posts: 56
Default Hypothetical Question for any Police Officers out there

You just pulled a guy over because he was driving a little too fast. He's polite and cooperative, handing over his license when you ask for it, but as he reaches for his glove compartment to get his registration, he hesitates and puts his hands back on the wheel.

"Officer," he says, "I want to inform that I just remembered that I have a firearm in my glove compartment on top of my registration. I am licensed to carry concealed and I have all my documents of ownership with me."

How would you handle this situation from this point forward?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-01-2013, 12:37 AM
commando552 commando552 is offline
IMFDB Admin
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: England
Posts: 547
Default

I am a police officer but a British one, so this situation would never arise for me. However being the kind of guy that i am I have looked into this sort of stuff, and firstly I have to say that the guy with the CCW should never start by saying that "I have a firearm" or anything like it. The more sensible response would be to first say that you have a carry permit and then that you are currently carrying a weapon. The officer should then ask you exactly where it is, and then ask you to show him your permit. If in the case you described you vehicle registration is inside the glove box with your firearm then it is likely that he would proceed with the stop without asking to see it, as he would have ran your number plate when he stopped you and assuming nothing is out of the ordinary all that he would have to do would be to confirm your identity from your license. In some States that allow concealed carry they have laws saying that you must inform the officer if you are carrying, but even if you aren't it is a very good idea to let them know immediately anyway.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-01-2013, 12:56 AM
funkychinaman's Avatar
funkychinaman funkychinaman is offline
IMFDB & Forum Admin
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 2,621
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by commando552 View Post
I am a police officer but a British one, so this situation would never arise for me. However being the kind of guy that i am I have looked into this sort of stuff, and firstly I have to say that the guy with the CCW should never start by saying that "I have a firearm" or anything like it. The more sensible response would be to first say that you have a carry permit and then that you are currently carrying a weapon. The officer should then ask you exactly where it is, and then ask you to show him your permit. If in the case you described you vehicle registration is inside the glove box with your firearm then it is likely that he would proceed with the stop without asking to see it, as he would have ran your number plate when he stopped you and assuming nothing is out of the ordinary all that he would have to do would be to confirm your identity from your license. In some States that allow concealed carry they have laws saying that you must inform the officer if you are carrying, but even if you aren't it is a very good idea to let them know immediately anyway.
I have a carry permit, and I was under the impression I had to tell an officer if I was carrying. It's never come up, since I rarely carry, so I'm not exactly sure how to bring it up.
__________________
"Me fail English? That's unpossible!"
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-01-2013, 03:32 AM
Excalibur's Avatar
Excalibur Excalibur is offline
IMFDB Admin
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 3,842
Send a message via AIM to Excalibur Send a message via MSN to Excalibur Send a message via Yahoo to Excalibur
Default

Well depending on which state you live in. I live in Indiana so I don't have to inform the officer that pulled me over that I am armed unless needed like if I step out or if I left my gun in the glove box
__________________

"There's a fine line between not listening and not caring...I like to think I walk that line everyday of my life."

Blessed be the LORD, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle
Psalm 144:1

“It is always wrong to use force, unless it is more wrong not to.”
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-01-2013, 03:45 AM
S&Wshooter's Avatar
S&Wshooter S&Wshooter is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 4,936
Default

I don't have to, but it's seen as "polite" to let the officer know
__________________
Get off of my property


http://www.introvertisland.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-01-2013, 10:24 AM
Spartan198's Avatar
Spartan198 Spartan198 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: The scorched state of California
Posts: 2,303
Default

Jcordell would be able to give good insight on this one, I think.

If it were me as the individual being pulled over, I'd do like Commando said: tell the cop first that I have the CCP and then inform him where the gun is. I'm all in favor of a cop defending themself if they legitimately believe their life is in danger, but I doubt anyone wants the burden of an unnecessary shooting on their conscience. Hell, I think most sensible and upstanding LEOs would prefer to go their whole careers without having to shoot someone.

As for how the cop would proceed, I can't say.
__________________
"Everything is impossible until somebody does it - Batman

RIP Kevin Conroy, the one true Batman
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-01-2013, 06:13 PM
funkychinaman's Avatar
funkychinaman funkychinaman is offline
IMFDB & Forum Admin
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 2,621
Default

The magic of Google.
__________________
"Me fail English? That's unpossible!"
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-11-2013, 05:35 AM
oddjob oddjob is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 12
Default

I'm a retired LEO (31 1/2 years). I would just ask for the drivers license & CCW permit....If it looks good then its registration and proof of insurance. Its really that easy.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-20-2013, 08:32 PM
Chitoryu12 Chitoryu12 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 58
Default

It's usually advised that you tell an officer if you're armed if he ever needs to stop you for something like that. Officers have to deal with an unfortunate amount of people who choose to quick draw and blow the cop's brains out through their window instead of potentially getting arrested for some kind of crime. Some people will even shoot the cop that pulled them over if they don't have any outstanding warrant or a risk of the officer finding illegal items during the stop. As such, many officers are quite wary when the guy they pulled over starts rifling under the seat or in the glovebox.

Telling the officer that you have a weapon and where it is (and if necessary, providing the documentation to prove that you can legally be carrying it there) not only prevents any awkward questions if you open your glovebox and expose the butt of a Glock, but it helps assuage their potential fear by letting them know beforehand that you're armed. It removes a lot of the "what ifs" in their mind if they know beforehand that the guy is legally carrying and admits it readily, rather than a thug waiting for a chance to fire.

It's also advisable to tell them if you have any replica guns in the vehicle, like airsoft. Some people may forget about their airsoft guns just because they're "toys", but a police officer won't be thinking that the AR-15 he just saw in the back seat is a toy first.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-10-2013, 05:27 PM
Jcordell Jcordell is offline
Formerly "Checkman"
IMFDB Admin
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,028
Default

I have to go run some errands, but when I get back later today I'll tell you how I have actually dealt with similar situations in the past. Keep in mind this is how I deal with it and I'm an Idaho cop where guns and gun owners are just part of the scenery. Also I'm a gunowner and a card carrying NRA member.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
carry, gun, police, stop

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 09:54 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.