Over the Labor Day weekend holiday, I was introduced to a guy who is a police officer here in Kansas for many years. We spoke of my CCW, training and all. He asked to see my permit (not official reason just curious) as he says many claim to have one but then can't show it during their "bull-****ting sessions"... and it proves to him that I am "a law abiding citizen" and can talk guns, laws and other such "manly stuff"... as we were enjoying a beer and a brat together at my friends lake house (I had my my Springfield XDM and he has his Glock)... he was a cool guy actually and we were both at ease with our beers and brats.
When it comes to traffic stops, I asked him for his personal and professional opinion about a driver showing their CCW permit along with their license upon being stopped, even though Kansas state law states one does NOT need to show it unless asked.
Now listen carefully guys... here was his answer (as it relates to Kansas state law):
There is no downside to showing the courtesy and respect to the officer who stopped you by showing them your CCW permit (or anytime contact with an officer is made - when a license or ID is asked for). They will see that you have one when they run your license, but then they will go on "high alert" and feel like you did not fully advise them of your firearm when they first stopped you... even though you did not have too.. they will still feel like you withheld this fact from them!!
An officer has two options... give a warning or write a ticket... and you want them to be relaxed and think of you in the best possible light they can (depending on why they stopped you of course). Being right up front will show them you have nothing to hide, your honest and immediately tells them you not wanted, do not have warrents out for your arrest and are generally a "good guy"... all before he runs your license through the computer!!!!
Again... there is NO downside to given the officer your license and CCW permit up front (regardless of what state or city you may be in), but there is a potential negative downside if he/she finds out that there may be a gun on you or in your car when they run your license... and cops don't like surprises!!!
If your not carrying your firearm when pulled over, then state this fact right up front when pulled over.... "Officer, here is my license. When you run it in your system, you will see that I am a CCW permit holder, but I am NOT carrying my firearm on me or in my car today." Again, you have diffused any negative belief or situation that may or may not have been present.
The guy I met basically stated....
Tell me up front = "Verbal warning" only for basic traffic offense
(You had a choice and so did I and I will give you the benefit of the doubt for being honest and reducing any surprises)
Don't tell me up front = "You Got A Ticket"
(You had a choice as I did in writing you a ticket or not... so I gave you the ticket)
Here endith the lesson..... and I believe this is very good advise... one I will follow 100%.
When it comes to traffic stops, I asked him for his personal and professional opinion about a driver showing their CCW permit along with their license upon being stopped, even though Kansas state law states one does NOT need to show it unless asked.
Now listen carefully guys... here was his answer (as it relates to Kansas state law):
There is no downside to showing the courtesy and respect to the officer who stopped you by showing them your CCW permit (or anytime contact with an officer is made - when a license or ID is asked for). They will see that you have one when they run your license, but then they will go on "high alert" and feel like you did not fully advise them of your firearm when they first stopped you... even though you did not have too.. they will still feel like you withheld this fact from them!!
An officer has two options... give a warning or write a ticket... and you want them to be relaxed and think of you in the best possible light they can (depending on why they stopped you of course). Being right up front will show them you have nothing to hide, your honest and immediately tells them you not wanted, do not have warrents out for your arrest and are generally a "good guy"... all before he runs your license through the computer!!!!
Again... there is NO downside to given the officer your license and CCW permit up front (regardless of what state or city you may be in), but there is a potential negative downside if he/she finds out that there may be a gun on you or in your car when they run your license... and cops don't like surprises!!!
If your not carrying your firearm when pulled over, then state this fact right up front when pulled over.... "Officer, here is my license. When you run it in your system, you will see that I am a CCW permit holder, but I am NOT carrying my firearm on me or in my car today." Again, you have diffused any negative belief or situation that may or may not have been present.
The guy I met basically stated....
Tell me up front = "Verbal warning" only for basic traffic offense
(You had a choice and so did I and I will give you the benefit of the doubt for being honest and reducing any surprises)
Don't tell me up front = "You Got A Ticket"
(You had a choice as I did in writing you a ticket or not... so I gave you the ticket)
Here endith the lesson..... and I believe this is very good advise... one I will follow 100%.