even no CCW open carry helped me

I was pulled in 35 going 45 (in a place just after the speed change with poor visibility for signage)

Further, I was out of reg and inspection due to needing a small repair to get through inspection.

Get pulled. Informed of guns right away. They were in an open range bag as that is where I was headed.

The officer thanked me for letting him know, ran my DL, came back to the car said thanks..slow down.. get your reg dealt with and have a great day.

I have no doubt the open range bag and notification is what got me out of a few hassle tix along with a possible speeding tix as well.

 

I've read all manner of "issues" people seem to have with the requirement to "inform law enforcement officers" of having a firearm in your possession. Here's my 3:

Last fall, County officer at license check. I hand out my license and permit. He looks and says, "This is about the sixth one of these I've seen, good, people must be getting smart. Thank you, have a nice day."

This spring, Highway Patrol officer at license check: I hand out my license and permit. He looks and says, "Thank you, have a nice day."

Yesterday evening I got rear-ended while sitting at a traffic light (not sure but I think somehow WNC Seabee is responsible) No significant damage or injuries, thank goodness. But when the officer shows up, I hand him my license and permit. I'm outside the car, he looks at my permit kinda puzzled and I say, "I'm required to inform you I have a firearm in the vehicle." He responds, " Oh, okay, I have no problem with that, just leave it in there." He smiles and hands me my permit back and heads to his car to fill out the report.

I just say this because I don't have the tendency to start telling them, "I have a gun in the car!" every time I have an interaction with them. At license checks, I simply hand them my license and permit with no comment. I'm informing them by handing my permit to them that I am armed. I think it was Wahoo who says he does the same and hasn't had any problems.

I think some people have problems because they get nervous and start immediately talking about "having a gun" and then the LEO gets nervous.

Anyway, I realize there are exceptions, just posting this for information for what it's worth.

:thumbup1:

 

Always get it out first thing. Pretty much every officer I have informed has gotten visibly less tense when they see a CHP and know where my gun is. Only one exception to this was the officer who wanted me to surrender my carry gun......... because he had been thinking of ordering one and wanted my opinion and to try it on for size.

 

+1. I have not had an issue yet when informing an officer that I have a concealed weapons permit and I am armed. Most, as a matter of fact (in my experience) seem to be more cordial after they receive this information. I think that most officers are probably educated on the fact that if I have a CCP then I am a law abiding citizen that has passed a background check, don't beat my wife, and he will be much more likely to have a pleasant, danger free stop with me.

 

Always get it out first thing. Pretty much every officer I have informed has gotten visibly less tense when they see a CHP and know where my gun is. Only one exception to this was the officer who wanted me to surrender my carry gun......... because he had been thinking of ordering one and wanted my opinion and to try it on for size.

+1. I have not had an issue yet when informing an officer that I have a concealed weapons permit and I am armed. Most, as a matter of fact (in my experience) seem to be more cordial after they receive this information. I think that most officers are probably educated on the fact that if I have a CCP then I am a law abiding citizen that has passed a background check, don't beat my wife, and he will be much more likely to have a pleasant, danger free stop with me.

Been my experience also. My wife even commented after the HP stop that, "it's interesting that they seem so relaxed and pleasant after you hand them that permit". I told her I assume it's because they know I'm no potential threat if I have the permit(more importantly, met the requirements to get one)

I do live in a fairly gun-friendly county as far as the local law enforcement is concerned. I realize things could be different in other areas of the state.

 

It is funny that they see us as no threat even though the Sheriff's Association is a huge opponent of things like restaurant carry.

 

I was in a auto accident total loss my corvette when someone ran a red light, the police show up , I show my liscense and permit , the officer talks to another then comes back ask where my firearm is I told him its in my back pocket, he asked if I would give it to him... I said no how am I suposed to hand it to you barrel first? grip first barrel pointing at me ? you have no need to see my firearm. He states he just wants to secure the firearm til we were done with paper work for safty of the situation. I know I didnt have to hand it over but just for sake of arguement I let him remove it from my pocket. After all was done he brings it back unloaded says you need to clean it it has lint in it . (AMT .45acp back up) I was thanx loaded it one in the pipe on the side ofr the hwy and went about my day ...crying over the loss of my StingRay

 

I've gone through various license and/or drunk driver checks (where every person is stopped). I don't remove my hands from the steering wheel except to turn on inside lights if it's dark. I don't hand them my license or my permit. I say 'officer I need to let you know that I'm a permit holder and have a handgun.'

About 3/4 of the time they do not ask for the license. I've never been asked to show my permit.

 

I never offer my permit. I simply inform them that I have a CHP and that I have a handgun in my possession. I think I have been stopped about six times and they have all asked me where the gun was, and asked me to leave it there, but only one SHP officer asked to see the permit. He was also the only person to give me a ticket.

 

A couple of months ago I got pulled over by a state trooper for having expired license on my truck. He didnt bat an eye when I told him I was carrying. He was polite, professional, almost apologetic. This trooper is a credit to the NC Highway Patrol!

 

Yesterday evening I got rear-ended while sitting at a traffic light (not sure but I think somehow WNC Seabee is responsible

Yup, the armored car job was just rehearsal for the big jewelry heist...

In the ~1/2 dozen or so interactions I've had, the cop has never said more than, "ok".

 

I never offer my permit. I simply inform them that I have a CHP and that I have a handgun in my possession. I think I have been stopped about six times and they have all asked me where the gun was, and asked me to leave it there, but only one SHP officer asked to see the permit. He was also the only person to give me a ticket.

Should have tossed a baggie full of oregano out the window and took off!

 

I've had some interesting reactions, but never an issue about CC'ing. One young Canton, NC officer had some big bugged out eyes when I told him " I have a CC permit and I'm armed." as I handed him the DL and CCP. Usually I get a thanks, OK, or good as a response.

I did get disarmed during an accident investigation while OC'ing. The HP got there faster than expected. I had planned on leaving it in the truck, but he caught my outside talking to my wife on the phone. I did not have my CCP at the time. The officer unloaded my G19. Then placed the gun, mag, and +1 on the passenger seat of my truck and locked them inside. We ended up talking guns in his patrol car after the paperwork was finished.

 

Most, and I said most, of my interactions with LEO's while carrying with my permit have been positive except for one incident back in March of this year.

I was on the way home from work late one night. While driving through the town of Forest City I had to stop for a license check at 12:30 am by that cities police department I informed the officer that I had a carry permit and that I was armed. I had two pistols in the center console and a rifle in the trunk.

The officer doing the license check then used the fact that I had a conceal carry permit to have me exit my vehicle and then proceeded to run the serial numbers of my firearms looking for stolen firearms. In the process of removing the pistols one of the officers dropped my Ruger LCP onto the pavement. I had to remind the officer that both pistols we loaded with one in the chamber.

I kept my cool during all of this. No ill words were spoken on my part. After the return of my weapons, I proceeded home.

After sleeping on what had transpired the previous night, I called the Chief of that police department the following morning. He didn't return my call until later in the day. I told the chief that I didn't appreciate his officers using my concealed carry permit as an excuse to conduct a fishing trip looking for stolen guns. Using the law that I must disclose as probable cause for a search.

Needless to say, I didn't appreciate the response that I received from the chief. But, I got my point across. Two weeks later there was another license check at the same location and I again told the officer that I had a carry permit and was armed. At this second license check, I was handed my license and permit back with a "Have a good night, sir."

 

My wife and I both have CCPs, she has had interaction with the police 3 times recently, I have had none. Neither of us carries on a regular basis.

Her last involvement was a traffic accident, she was hit and the dirt bag drove off, she followed him home, then came and got me (short distance) and called the police and we met the officer at the scene of the accident.

She handed the officer her DL and permit and he never said anything about it, or asked if she was carrying.

It's been discused before, but I am of the opinion that if you are NOT carrying then there is no need to tell the officer you have a permit. Of course, if you ARE carrying, then you must inform, no argument there, it is the law.

 

Most, and I said most, of my interactions with LEO's while carrying with my permit have been positive except for one incident back in March of this year.

I was on the way home from work late one night. While driving through the town of Forest City I had to stop for a license check at 12:30 am by that cities police department I informed the officer that I had a carry permit and that I was armed. I had two pistols in the center console and a rifle in the trunk.

The officer doing the license check then used the fact that I had a conceal carry permit to have me exit my vehicle and then proceeded to run the serial numbers of my firearms looking for stolen firearms. In the process of removing the pistols one of the officers dropped my Ruger LCP onto the pavement. I had to remind the officer that both pistols we loaded with one in the chamber.

I kept my cool during all of this. No ill words were spoken on my part. After the return of my weapons, I proceeded home.

After sleeping on what had transpired the previous night, I called the Chief of that police department the following morning. He didn't return my call until later in the day. I told the chief that I didn't appreciate his officers using my concealed carry permit as an excuse to conduct a fishing trip looking for stolen guns. Using the law that I must disclose as probable cause for a search.

Needless to say, I didn't appreciate the response that I received from the chief. But, I got my point across. Two weeks later there was another license check at the same location and I again told the officer that I had a carry permit and was armed. At this second license check, I was handed my license and permit back with a "Have a good night, sir."

I would have been a bit pissed too at a violation of my 4th amendment rights.

 

The officer was wrong to have searched the vehicle if he was basing the search off of the permit

 

I can only respond to your thread based on laws here in SC. When a driver hands me his DL and CWP (called concealed weapons permit), I usually ask where it's located and leave it at that. Sometimes you have the nervous, very excited to show you numbnuts, who wants to IMMEDIATELY grab it from the console and brandish, wave, or otherwise just show it off. Usually done before you can say NO, I don't want to see, touch, or hear it. It is law here to inform the LEO you are carrying, still yet I appreciate it. More times than not, the response when asked where it's located is "home". However, we in the LE community cannot put our guard down, because like any other subset of the population, CWP, CCP holders can have a bad day and decide today won't end like it started.

 

One more post, NCPatrolAR was absolutely correct. He cannot retrieve and run the numbers for stolen items, nor can he conduct a search of the car based on the admission of legally possessed weapons. With the advent (?) of the CWP programs in both NC and SC, the problem most of the permit holders will run into is the officer just simply won't know what his boundaries are, i.e. what can/can't I do?, can I take his weapon, can I confiscate (if only for 10 minutes) it? These are questions that eventually are answered through experience and trial and error (complaints, etc.). Would hate to know I dropped a man's pistola on the ground and scarred it up.

 

Carried every day since the CC law went into effect in NC. And before that, it was on the seat in open view. Been through countless license checks, DWI checkpoints, etc in 35 years of driving with a weapon. Never a problem, never taken away, never asked to see it. No big deal. I'd imagine there's a few ignorant cops out there, just like there's a few ignorant doctors. lawyers, fishermen, steel workers, and Indian chiefs. I figure for the most part, some of those that have a problem, may have a part in creating it.

 

Give a cop a chance to overstep his authority, and a lot will. I've been stopped for traffic violations twice while carrying, once in NC openly, and once in SC concealed. Both times, although I was completely legal and complied with the law, the officer confiscated my weapon for the duration of the stop. Grrr... To paraphrase a line from The Godfather..."If I'd wanted him dead, he'd been dead already."

 

I've never had an officer ask to see it or even ask where it is. My only encounters have been at license/drunk checkpoints (3 that I can think of) and one situation where my truck broke down in the sticks in Caswell County and a deputy stopped to check on me.

At that time I was out of my truck and my gun was in it. I was talking to AAA on the phone arranging a tow when he pulled up, so I just showed him the permit as I already had my wallet in my hand. I pointed to the truck and he gave me a thumb up and said "thank you".

 

Never had an issues

I've only had one interaction with a law enforcement officer since obtaining my permit a year or so back. Have met many officers that were off duty at the time but I don't think those count? All from here anyways and always doing some kind of B/S/T gun transaction :001_smile:

Only one experience so far. Was going hunting up in Townsville (near VA/Kerr lake area) with two buddies of mine. I drove separately and was waiting for them in a church parking lot right off US1 in Kittrell while they had stopped at the store to get deer corn etc. I guess I looked suspicious because before I know it I have an officer pull up behind me and put the blue lights on.

I was completely decked out in camo, climbing stand in back seat, had a rifle, two shotguns in the trunk, my P11 on me and a Tok for my buddy to carry in the glove box.

Already had the windows down so before he could even walk up I had my NCDL and Permit in hand. Kept hands on the wheel and informed him I had a CHP and that I was armed. He wanted to know where the firearms where, I told him and he said just keep your hands where I can see him and we both would be good to go. Fine by me!!

He basically wanted to know what I was up to. lol I kinda thought it was a funny question considering what I was wearing but I told him the truth, that I was waiting on my buddies to catch up with me. Just as I say that there they go driving by and honking their horn as I wave to him.d

He laughed and said he would be right back etc. Came back, said everything is good to go, Good luck hunting and Merry Christmas.

I was somewhat nervous at the time but he handled it as every officer should, I wish I had gotten his name as I would have written his supervisor. I know it's nothing from what every officer SHOULD be doing but I was still impressed with his professionalism. I got the hint and have often that most officers seem to breath a sigh of relief when they see that permit.

Yes it's not a guaranteed 100% card saying that this person is good to go but at least they know that they are a non felon etc.

 

Most, and I said most, of my interactions with LEO's while carrying with my permit have been positive except for one incident back in March of this year.

I was on the way home from work late one night. While driving through the town of Forest City I had to stop for a license check at 12:30 am by that cities police department I informed the officer that I had a carry permit and that I was armed. I had two pistols in the center console and a rifle in the trunk.

The officer doing the license check then used the fact that I had a conceal carry permit to have me exit my vehicle and then proceeded to run the serial numbers of my firearms looking for stolen firearms. In the process of removing the pistols one of the officers dropped my Ruger LCP onto the pavement. I had to remind the officer that both pistols we loaded with one in the chamber.

I kept my cool during all of this. No ill words were spoken on my part. After the return of my weapons, I proceeded home.

After sleeping on what had transpired the previous night, I called the Chief of that police department the following morning. He didn't return my call until later in the day. I told the chief that I didn't appreciate his officers using my concealed carry permit as an excuse to conduct a fishing trip looking for stolen guns. Using the law that I must disclose as probable cause for a search.

Needless to say, I didn't appreciate the response that I received from the chief. But, I got my point across. Two weeks later there was another license check at the same location and I again told the officer that I had a carry permit and was armed. At this second license check, I was handed my license and permit back with a "Have a good night, sir."

I experienced something similar a while back. License check, informed officer of CCW and was armed. He told me to pull over to the side. When he arrived he ask me to surrender the weapons and then proceeded to run the numbers. I could hear my name, address, firearm description, and serial numbers going over the loud speaker. I thought to myself "guess everyone with a scanner knows my business now". The officer stripped each magazine of every round then played with my light attached to one of my firearms to see if he liked it I guess. He put all my rounds, magazines, & firearms in my glove box and told me not to load the magazines or firearm until I got down the road.

Did not care for that at all. There was no probable cause.

All the other times I've been stopped was no big deal... pretty much "have a good day".

 

2005. Highway Patrolman in Chatham County, after being informed politely that I was legally carrying (with my hands on the steering wheel) has me get out and spread eagle over the car in front of my kids, takes the gun, comes back with a ticket (65 in a 55 - had just come off the US 64 bypass) after leaving my gun unloaded on the trunk, hands me the ammunition, and tells me to not get out of the car to retrieve my gun before he had left the scene. So, I had to sit there with it on the trunk waiting for him to leave.

One of my sons, who was 5 at the time, asked why the police officer treated me like I was a "bad guy." I had to tell him I didn't know, and I still don't.