So last night I got pulled over by a Raleigh police officer, my first encounter with a LEO since getting my Concealed Handgun License last October.
I left my apartment about 11:00 pm to go over to my girlfriend's house, which is about 3 miles away. When I clicked on the headlights, the light on the dash came on indicating a burned-out bulb somewhere. I peered through the windshield and was able to determine from the light pattern on the building that my passenger-side headlight was out. No big deal, there's and Advance Auto near my office, I'll go get one tomorrow during my lunch break.
So, rotten luck, on a 3-mile drive immediately after the light goes out, I get pulled over just short of the side street that leads to my gf's house.
I was a bit nervous, trying to remember all the tips they had given us in CCW class. As soon as I stopped I rolled down the window, shut off the engine, turned on the domelight, retrieved my wallet from my pocket and set it in my lap, (So that I wouldn't have to go digging around after I informed the officer of my armed status.), and then sat with my hands on the wheel.
The officer was young, maybe younger than me (I'm 28). The converesation went something like this:
Leo: Good Evening.
Me: Evening, officer.
Leo: I pulled you over to make you aware that you have a headlight out. Do you have your license with you tonight, sir?
Me (opening wallet and retrieving documents): I do, and I also have a concealed weapons permit here, too.
Leo(accepting license and CHL): Do you have your weapon now?
Me: Yes I do.
Leo: Is it over there on your right?
Me: Yes it is, there's also one under the seat. Do you want me to......? (Making a questioning gesture, palms up with both hands)
Leo: That's fine, just keep your hands out, sit tight, I'll be right back.
(He goes back to his car with my license and permit, I sit with the domelight on, resting my hands on top of the wheel.)
Leo returns: All right sir, do you still live at <address>.
Me: Yes I do, I'm heading to my girlfriend's house just up here.
Leo (handing back documents): OK, well better get that light fixed, or you'll just keep getting pulled over. And thanks for clueing me in on the concealed weapon.
Me: Well, that's what I'm supposed to do.
Leo: Right. Have a good evening, sir.
Me: Same to you, officer.
So I fired up, turned off the domelight, and drove forward the other 250 feet or so until the turnoff for my gf's street.
Overall, it went exactly like I would hope it would, the LEO was professional and courteous, if he noticed I was a little nervous he didn't say anything. Actually, after he had verified my license and CHL, he became quite friendly, there was some other dialogue I left out, about the bulb indicator light on my dash, and how surprising it was that a 1988 car would have something like that.
Of course, I was still pissed at the rotten luck of getting pulled within 3 miles of a bulb going out. But all in all not too bad of an experience.
I left my apartment about 11:00 pm to go over to my girlfriend's house, which is about 3 miles away. When I clicked on the headlights, the light on the dash came on indicating a burned-out bulb somewhere. I peered through the windshield and was able to determine from the light pattern on the building that my passenger-side headlight was out. No big deal, there's and Advance Auto near my office, I'll go get one tomorrow during my lunch break.
So, rotten luck, on a 3-mile drive immediately after the light goes out, I get pulled over just short of the side street that leads to my gf's house.
I was a bit nervous, trying to remember all the tips they had given us in CCW class. As soon as I stopped I rolled down the window, shut off the engine, turned on the domelight, retrieved my wallet from my pocket and set it in my lap, (So that I wouldn't have to go digging around after I informed the officer of my armed status.), and then sat with my hands on the wheel.
The officer was young, maybe younger than me (I'm 28). The converesation went something like this:
Leo: Good Evening.
Me: Evening, officer.
Leo: I pulled you over to make you aware that you have a headlight out. Do you have your license with you tonight, sir?
Me (opening wallet and retrieving documents): I do, and I also have a concealed weapons permit here, too.
Leo(accepting license and CHL): Do you have your weapon now?
Me: Yes I do.
Leo: Is it over there on your right?
Me: Yes it is, there's also one under the seat. Do you want me to......? (Making a questioning gesture, palms up with both hands)
Leo: That's fine, just keep your hands out, sit tight, I'll be right back.
(He goes back to his car with my license and permit, I sit with the domelight on, resting my hands on top of the wheel.)
Leo returns: All right sir, do you still live at <address>.
Me: Yes I do, I'm heading to my girlfriend's house just up here.
Leo (handing back documents): OK, well better get that light fixed, or you'll just keep getting pulled over. And thanks for clueing me in on the concealed weapon.
Me: Well, that's what I'm supposed to do.
Leo: Right. Have a good evening, sir.
Me: Same to you, officer.
So I fired up, turned off the domelight, and drove forward the other 250 feet or so until the turnoff for my gf's street.
Overall, it went exactly like I would hope it would, the LEO was professional and courteous, if he noticed I was a little nervous he didn't say anything. Actually, after he had verified my license and CHL, he became quite friendly, there was some other dialogue I left out, about the bulb indicator light on my dash, and how surprising it was that a 1988 car would have something like that.
Of course, I was still pissed at the rotten luck of getting pulled within 3 miles of a bulb going out. But all in all not too bad of an experience.