Pulled over for the first times since having a permit

View · by **brauchma** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:23 am

I was pulled over tonight for a headlight that was out. First I had heard of it being out. The county sheriff came up and asked if I had any driving record. I said no. Then asked if there is anything in the car that he needed to know about. He said alcohol or firearms.
I said I had a permit to carry and I had it on my right hip at 4 o'clock. Took my drivers license and insurance back to his car. Came back and gave a verbal warning and thanked me for telling me I had a gun.

I didn't know they asked that and is it odd that he thanked me? Say I didn't tell him...can he look it up and get pissed at me?

View · by **Snowgun** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:37 am

If directly asked, always better to then tell IMHO...actually i believe its required...

View · by **Mn01r6** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:47 am

It is required if asked in mn, and it is routine to be asked. I have heard a few cops i rode along with ask in a funny way to lighten the mood like "do you have anything on you I should know about like guns, knives, or hand grenades?"

View · by **Northfield 556** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:45 am

I have found that the best thing to do, providing you have nothing to hide, is give the officer your permit with your license.
I have been in several situations with police, and I was armed. Offering that information, right off the bat, has gotten me nothing but praise and respect from the officers. This situation has even led to lengthy discussions about carry choices, ect.

View · by **RangerTim** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 2:13 am

Agreed, unless you are hiding something it is better to be honest with the police. Most cops I know love guns, and never hesitate at the opportunity to talk about them.

View · by **ttousi** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 5:32 am

you are required to answer the question per
624.714 subd 2

(d) Upon the request of a peace officer, a permit holder shall disclose to the officer whether or not the permit
holder is currently carrying a firearm.

View · by **Hmac** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:41 am

The perennial question has always been "do you notify a police officer that you're armed if he doesn't ask?"

View · by **BlkVooDoo** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:45 am

I know when asked you are required to. But when I renewed, I remember the instructor saying to "don't offer that you are carrying, only respond if asked". I thought that was a little odd, and could create a situation like the one that recently happened in Florida with a licensed carrier violently arrested. I have yet to have a situation with a LEO while carrying. But I think I would hand the LEO my permit with my license as a subtle way to FYI.

Here is the dash cam from the arrest:

http://www.truthinourtime.com/2013/01/2 ... rried-gun/

View · by **mc762x54R** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:27 am

I got pulled over once while carrying..told the trooper i was carrying and he said "well we have a policy if you try to kill us we try to kill you"..um..ok then.

another time I wasnt carrying but the cop (local metro area) saw my permit and asked if I was. He recommended I say right away "hey I have a permit but Im not carrying" because when they see the permit they figure you are.

Statey wrote me up for a weak speeding ticket..local cop let me go for going much faster...

View · by **farmerj** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:45 am

mc762x54R wrote:I got pulled over once while carrying..told the trooper i was carrying and he said "well we have a policy if you try to kill us we try to kill you"..um..ok then.

another time I wasnt carrying but the cop (local metro area) saw my permit and asked if I was. He recommended I say right away "hey I have a permit but Im not carrying" because when they see the permit they figure you are.

Statey wrote me up for a weak speeding ticket..local cop let me go for going much faster...

Why speed? Is it really worth the hassle and the expense. If you think the ticket is the only cost, it's not. Increased insurance premiums will total several times the ticket cost.

View · by **LePetomane** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:48 am

Personally I wouldn't volunteer any information. If they ask for drivers license, registration and proof of insurance then that is what they shall receive. If they ask for a PTC then I will produce it.

View · by **brauchma** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:51 am

Thanks folks. I know you are supposed to tell them if asked. I was just surprised for some reason. My question still stands. Can he see I have one when he is back in his car checking me out in the system? Don't flame me if i should know this.

View · by **340PD** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:04 am

It always boils down to personal opinion on whether to offer the information up front. It's a personal choice some people do and some people don't. Yes, it's the law you MUST answer honestly and produce the permit if asked. As to whether they can see it in their squad car I believe the answer is no, they can't see it directly on a screen in their car. However, I also believe it only takes them seconds to have a check done via their dispatcher or to look up the information if they want to. I don't believe it comes up automatically though. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong I'm sure. I would also be willing to bet that some officers do request that information before even approaching a car they've pulled over.

View · by **photogpat** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:07 am

Most LEO's are on our side - not kidding here. If you make it as easy and as non-threatening as possible when you're carrying, it will generally go better for everyone, as well as for the next guy.

I have only anecdotes - but every single LEO I've ever spoken to; local, rural, Sheriff, Statie...they all agreed that they'd rather know than be surprised. IMHO, consider it a professional courtesy from one person carrying a firearm to another one.

View · by **brauchma** on Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:14 am

photogpat wrote:Most LEO's are on our side - not kidding here. If you make it as easy and as non-threatening as possible when you're carrying, it will generally go better for everyone, as well as for the next guy.

I have only anecdotes - but every single LEO I've ever spoken to; local, rural, Sheriff, Statie...they all agreed that they'd rather know than be surprised. IMHO, consider it a professional courtesy from one person carrying a firearm to another one.

I agree...thanks for that.