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Here is a question I could not find an answer to here yet (although it's probably buried here somewhere).
When pulled over by police, and you are carrying concealed, do you:
- immediately hand the officer your permit along with your drivers license
- not hand over your permit, but inform the officer you have a permit and are carrying
- say nothing unless the opportunity presents itself as necessary
Thanks in advance for opinions and knowledge!
The answer to your question will vary by what state you are in at the time you are pulled over. As an example, here in Ohio we are required to notify a police officer when pulled over or if the officer is talking to you in an "official capacity."
Check your own state laws as well as the laws of any state you travel and carry in.
Good Luck!
Here in Arkansas #1 applies. Well, it's either that or have your pet Ball Python in the car with you and get out yelling "snake!" "snake!"
You are from MN and in MN you are not required by law to inform the officer unless he asks. I personally do not tell him as it has nothing to do with why I am being stopped. However if the gun were say in the glove box and while reaching for my insurance info. there is a chance the officer will see the gun, I tell him. If the officer wants me to exit my vehicle I tell him and ask what he wants me to do about the gun.
As HGJ said, You are not legally required to notify unless asked by an officer.
Personally, IF the officer is going to find out, _I_ want to the the one to tell him. If it's concealed under a garment and he's not gonna see it, It's a toss-up. If he asks me to step out of the car or there's any other chance he could see it, _I_ want to be the one to tell him.
Surprise leads to Adrenaline and Excitement ... I would happily avoid that :-)
Something like:
"Officer, I have a carry permit and am carrying in a holster on my right hip. How do you want to proceed?"
Don't use the word Gun.
Here's what I do, many of which I did before I started carrying.
- Pull over (Obvious one)
- Turn car off
- lower window
- turn on all lights (only at night)
- put both hands on the wheel, in plain sight.
- When asked, I produce my DL and CHL (by law, but I would regardless)
- Inform the LEO of the location of my handgun, if asked if I am carrying.
Don't forget general politeness and courtesy since they typically see the worst in people as a result of their jobs, they don't need me making it any more difficult.
#3 in Washington State
#3 in Georgia unless they asked.
#3 in NH as well. Go to www.handgunlaw.us and click on each state you might be visiting. It will pop up a .pdf of that state's laws including need to notify officer.
Out of respect fro the officer i will always tell him regardless of state laws. You defintley dont want him to find out the wrong way or you might get a reaction you didnt want.
Sc = #1
In Florida you don't have to notify unless asked.
I haven't been pulled over in a few years,.. But I would ALWAYS tell the LEO up front before even giving him my license,. If they have run your plates, they know your a CCW permit holder,. Like someone said earlier,. "I" want to be the one that tell's,. Not waiting to see if I'm caught doing something I'm licensed to do,. From everyone that I've talked to that has been pulled over, it is 50/50 if the officer will ask to see it,... But I'm sure that he/she will be put at ease being you told them upfront and have nothing to hide..
Depends on the state. Oklahoma is a must notify state, Virginia isn't. So how you handle it will depend on where your at.
In NC you place both hands on the steering wheel after rolling the window down. When the Officer approaches the window you inform him that you have a CCW permit, where your weapon is, and how would he like to proceed.