Headlight out,met Mcallen Tx finest

[dukalmighty]

Okay so I knew my light was out and I actually bought a new bulb but been procrastinating on installing it,anyhow I'm driving down a 5 lane road 2 in each direction with a turning lane when I see a car stopped in the inside lane coming towards me and left turn signal on,I'm thinking that driver is too stupid or drunk to be in the turn lane and as I passed saw the "ghosted" out POLICE on the side.Car turned in behind me and lit me up,First thought "was I speeding?"Then it hit me LIGHT OUT.
As the female LEO approached I had turned on my interior lights hands on wheel.I said let me guess headlight,and she said yup.I said I have a CHL and I'm carrying,she said ON YOU?I said yes 9 o'clock,she raised my shirt and said can you take it out?
I carry a Colt 1911,I said I think it would be safer if we just left it holstered,she said okay,I said I gotta reach in my left back pocket for my license,she said do it slow,I said okey dokey.I showed her DL/CHL/Proof of Insurance,and pack of light bulbs,after she ran me for any warrants she let me go with a verbal warning.
This is the 3rd time I've been stopped and the first time I've ever been asked to disarm which I think she probably saw where my suggestion was a better idea.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[goldshellback]

Dunno if it's policy or not to disarm a legal 'carriers' but disgression, common sense, and your demeanor probley helped her come to the 'leave it where it is' decision. Glad it was a non-event.

[91wm6]

You're braver than I am. If a leo asks me to remove my firearm I'm not gonna argue lol. FYI when you change out the headlight bulbs don't touch the glass part of the bulb. The oil on your skin may cause the bulb to break shortly after installation.(at least that's what I've heard)

[rugerista]

Glad to hear things went well. I have never been stopped since I got my CHL.

Truthfully its not something I look forward to. It makes me a safer driver, I don't speed and fix anything in my car that would warrant a stop as soon as I can.

[archer51]

Sounds like a good stop. I've found in my 60+ years, most LEO are easy to get along with, especially if you treat them respectfully. Just like with anything else, it's the 1% who have a chip on their shoulder that receives the public's attention.

BTW duk, was she cute?

[Mike1956]

An ounce of prevention...

[farronwolf]

Glad things went well.

One question, why didn't you get your wallet out before she got to the car? Just curious.

[JayHawker45]

You're braver than I am. If a leo asks me to remove my firearm I'm not gonna argue lol. FYI when you change out the headlight bulbs don't touch the glass part of the bulb. The oil on your skin may cause the bulb to break shortly after installation.(at least that's what I've heard)

Off topic, but yes, the oils on your skin cause halogen bulbs to burn out quicker. Wiping them down with rubbing alcohol before closing everything up will alleviate that.

But, back on topic, knock on wood, I haven't been pulled over since I've gotten my CCH permit. I've thought about how to respond if the officer asks me to remove my firearm, realizing that traffic stops are probably one of the most nerve wracking things an officer can do, I can't help but think everyone is safer keeping firearms in their holsters and just making sure I tell the officer everything that I'm doing to comply with their instructions.

[oldnfat]

I think moving around to retrieve your wallet might be cause for a LEO to suspect you are hiding something or reaching for a gun. Neither of these is a good way to begin an encounter. Interior light on, window down, and hands on the wheel is a better choice. Just my opinion. Other's comments on this? dukalmighty you did good. Glad it worked out.

[kukla]

Glad things went well.

One question, why didn't you get your wallet out before she got to the car? Just curious.

reaching for something inside your car as an officer is approaching may be cause for alarm, and put them on the defensive
keeping your hands on the steering wheel where they can see them is much safer for everyone

[OldVet]

Glad things went well.

One question, why didn't you get your wallet out before she got to the car? Just curious.

It gives them cause to claim "reasonable suspicion." You may have been hiding something, or so they can claim.

There's not enough LEOs in FL to stop all the vehicles with lights burnt out. I'm not a big believer in state vehicle inspection after living in GA where you dould go directly thru six inspections and everyone of them would find something that "requires" repair, even on a perfectly good vehicle--headlight aiming was the favorite. But really, what happens when that last brake light goes out? I only wish the local PDs would stop more for safety violations.

[farronwolf]

reaching for something inside your car as an officer is approaching may be cause for alarm, and put them on the defensive
keeping your hands on the steering wheel where they can see them is much safer for everyone

I can pull my wallet out while I am pulling over, and still get my windows down, interior light on, and hands on the wheel before they get up to the car.

I have never seen an officer run up to the car during a stop.

[retsupt99]

No LEO panic, no ticket, now I'd suggest you get that light changed.

You still here? Go change that light...

[farronwolf]

It gives them cause to claim "reasonable suspicion." You may have been hiding something, or so they can claim.

.

Not trying to argue that they would use it for reasonable suspicion or not, but if my wallet is laying on the dash in front of my steering wheel, and they ask what I was hiding, I can simply point out I was pulling my wallet out so I could give you my ID, it is right here on the dash.

Of course I haven't been pulled over in 20 years or so, so I may be a little rusty at it.

[9MMare]

Glad things went well.

One question, why didn't you get your wallet out before she got to the car? Just curious.

I realize that you did not ask me but as someone who used to make car stops as a park ranger, I didnt like seeing people moving or rummaging around for things while I was preparing to approach/approaching the car. When I've been stopped (like two nites in a row for the same headlight...sorry, I find it hard to change those things)....I immediately put both hands on the wheel and 2 and 10 and just wait for further instructions. (Just warnings)

I've been stopped and not even asked for ID...but it was before I carried.