[DaveH]

I have heard of instructors giving CHP classes advice based on an incident, which allegedly occurred somewhere in the upper midwest.

Can anyone provide a citation or reference, (newspaper, book, court record, etc) or any details, or other information on a situation that went something like this:

A citizen (some accounts, a CHP holder; others, not) was stop while driving.

The LEO making the stop ask about weapons in the car.

The citizen acknowledges a firearm in the glove-box.

The LEO making the stop instructs the citizen to remove it, clear it and hand it to him.

A second LEO arrives on the scene just in time to walk up on the passenger's side as the citizen is removing the firearm from the glove-box, is unaware of the instructions from the first LEO, thinks the citizen is drawing on the first LEO, and shoots the citizen.

The advise being given is:

1) To never handle your firearm in the presence of an LEO.

2) If instructed to clear your weapon and give it to an LEO, to politely request that he allow you to assume an appropriate position and let the LEO retrieve the weapon.

What are your thoughts on this advice?

Why?

 

[Paco]

I'm not sure I understand the options in the poll, but I can tell you that if instructed by a LEO during a stop to remove my weapon and clear it and hand it to him I would politley tell him I would rather not. I would be happy to step out of the car, slowly, and have him remove it from my IWB holster.

 

[RETSUPT99]

I have not read such a story, and I read all I can.
I wouldn't say that the scenario of which you speak is impossible, but it would seem to me that the two LEO' would be communicating at a traffic stop, expecially if one arrives late to the scene. OMO

I'm not sure I understand what you are asking in you poll, and why would a LEO ask me to clear my weapon? That seems pretty dangerous for the officer if I were not a GG.

 

[skot]

I've never heard that story, but it sounds like one of the "it happened to a friend of a friend" stories that would go around the net.

I'd rather not be clearing my weapon in front of an LEO. If he wants me to hand it to him holstered then possibly, but I'd prefer he just get it himself while I wait at a distance.

Looking forward to seeing if the story is validated.

 

[theotherlis]

In my CC class the instructor advised that the first thing we should say is that we have a CC Permit and are in lawful possession of a firearm, how would you like to proceed? I'm going to admit that before this post I had always assumed that the LEO would 1) let me keep it on me or 2) Ask me to step outside so they could remove it.

It hadn't actually occurred to me that they may want me to remove it myself.

 

[TX-JB]

As a former LEO, I can't see any situation where an LEO would ask someone to clear their weapon before taking possession of it. If the LEO was uneasy about the weapon, why would he ask you to handle it.

 

[Tubby45]

Not a cop, did go to cop school, deal with cops daily.

Not a single cop I've acquainted myself with has ever thought it was a good idea to disarm a citizen that was not clearly a danger to self/others.

 

[Saber]

Well, back when muscle cars ruled the road and my hair was as long as the felons I arrested, I would have never requested a citizen clear his weapon before I took possession of it.
Regards,

 

[glock man]

There is no way this took place.. another story to run around the net.. It never ends..

 

[gunthorp]

Police are, or ought to be, trained to separate the individual from the weapon, when possible. If a citizen is carrying on person, the LEO may have him sit in place with his hands on the wheel. If the gun is within reach, the LEO may ask him to exit the vehicle for the duration of the interview. Allowing an individual range of motion while a gun is nearby could be dangerous until positive identification as a friendly has been made. IMO this incident is very unlikely to ever have happened.

 

[AKsrule]

Your scenario is a little strange but I voted NO on letting an LEO
take my legal loaded weapon from my person. :icon_neutral:

I served in the US Army Infantry and have had firearms training as a civilian also.

Letting anyone handle a loaded weapon without training is against
EVERY Principal of safe Firearms handling I have been taught.

How many street cops have been trained to clear a Makarov 9mm ,
or know that a SIG has a decocker but no manual safety?

Answer: Not enough that I would bet a life on it. :nono:

.

 

[Faitmaker]

I doubt this has ever happened. I would also ask the LEO to remove the weapon as I'm uncomfortable touching it in his presence.

Also, "an LEO" is incorrect. "a LEO" is the only way this should be written but I'm a grammar nazi.

 

[nedrgr21]

It shouldn't happen, but neither should what happened with JD and the cop trying to unholster his gun while he was still belted in the car.

 

[zackattack78]

During a "normal" traffic stop a LEO should never disarm a lawfully carrying citizen. In fact, a LEO should never even ask a lawfully carrying citizen to disarm.

 

[Thumper]

As a former LEO, I can't see any situation where an LEO would ask someone to clear their weapon before taking possession of it. If the LEO was uneasy about the weapon, why would he ask you to handle it.

Yup! What JB said! :yup:

 

[Kevin Jensen]

There is no option for me to vote on, as I will never inform the gestapo that I am armed.

It is none of their business what I lawfully have in my vehicle.

 

[ronb5538]

A retired Newport News cop taught my concealed carry class. He related this exact senario.

Do everything the leo requests you to do except handle your firearm.

 

[dukalmighty]

I am not touching my gun in the presence of LEO unless it's at the gun range

 

[varob]

Also, "an LEO" is incorrect. "a LEO" is the only way this should be written but I'm a grammar nazi.

You'll have a field day here.

 

[SubNine]

I usually carry Glocks and I never have a weapon in the glove box unless I go somewhere that prohibits weapons inside. Some of the more odd ball types of guns civilians carry as opposed to what LEOs carry might be armed with might be grounds for not letting the officer take the gun. There are too many variables in this scenario for me to make a good judgment. I know not every officer is familiar with the operation of different types of handguns and that might include their own duty gun, they qualify with it once or twice a year and the rest of the time it stays in the holster.

I would not touch my gun if I was instructed to remove it from my person or my vehicle. Glocks are easy to operate but for some not so smart people, they are just as complex as a Sig or 1911. The only thing I can do is pray the officer that stopped me is smart enough not to let my gun discharge in any unintended direction, and I would have to tell them to get it themselves because I am not touching it in their presence.