I am new to this forum, may be this has been discussed before, but what do you do if pulled over by the police while carrying? I have had my permit for 8 years and have never been pulled over. Are most Officers friendly? Do they care or appreciate the fact that you carry? Any help would be appreciated. I don't plan on being pulled over but just in case. Any experiences?
What to do when pulled over by Police?
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I have never been pulled over either. However, just the other day I needed to go get some fingerprint cards, so I went into my local police department. About the time I reached the door, I noticed a sign that said "COURT" so I went back to my vehicle and left my gun. I wasn't sure what the restriction was on a local city court, but I figured I didn't want to have to find out the hard way. While I was being fingerprinted, the cop asked me if I had a permit, and I told him yes. He asked me if I had a gun on me and I said no, and told him I wasn't sure about the city court. He told me the city court was in another part of the building so I would have been OK, but he said he was glad I at least thought about it. I then asked him if I had brought my gun in with him if he thought I would be legally required to tell him I had one on me. He said in the situation NO. He said his understanding is that you are only required to tell LE you have one if you were being "DETAINED." He said since I wasn't being detained, I had no legal requirement to tell him. We talked about traffic stops and he said that in a traffic stop, I am being "DETAINED" so yes I would have to tell him. I have read all the laws and his explaination was consistent with what I understood.l The word that made everything make sense though was "DETAINED." We had a nice chat and he said he was glad I carried and wished that more civilians would get their permits and carry.
-PW
-PW
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When they ask for your D/L ask if they need your CFP permit too. You need to inform them immediately of your armed status. Any delay is a possible concealed weapon charge even with a permit.tanman said:
Keep your hands on the wheel in sight!!!
Follow their instructions, and be VERY courteous, you don't want to make a rookie nervous...
The UHP Trooperette who pulled me over a few months ago for a dirty license plate cover was very nice and thanked me for informing her that I was armed.
Read this link.
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Ruger, I loved that link. When I got to the last picture, I about fell off my chair laughing. Sad thing is I'm sure many a permit holder has done just what that picture shows NOT to do! I don't know why, but I just found that picture to be absolutely hilarious. Thanks!
-PW
-PW
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First let me say welcome! 
In response to your query, when pulled over by an officer you need to show him/her your DL & CCW.
Next--remember this as things have changed drastically over the past 30 years since I got my license:
Put hands on steering wheel at keep them there after rolling down your window all the way--or at least half way.
Do not get into glove box for ID until it is requested--some officers are complete jerks about this--I know, yet it was one of the first things I was taught to do in Drivers Ed--but today do not do it.
Be polite with yes sir, or ma'am or no sir/ma'am answers.
Do not volunteer information that has not been requested other than your ID and that yes or no as to whether you are carrying.
Thank them and when they clear you then you may leave.
Most officers are good about carrying, some are outright jerks. Just follow these little rules and most of the time things will be ok.
I f the officer has "safety" concerns they may ask you to hand them your weapon (never has happened with me), at this point I can't advise, I don't think you are obligated to do so however, we have several officers on here who may be able to answer that. Or get yourself a copy of Mitch Vilo's Utah Gun Laws--it is an excellent work & will describe this for you as to whether you must surrender your piece or not.
Hope this helps and good luck out there!
In response to your query, when pulled over by an officer you need to show him/her your DL & CCW.
Next--remember this as things have changed drastically over the past 30 years since I got my license:
Put hands on steering wheel at keep them there after rolling down your window all the way--or at least half way.
Do not get into glove box for ID until it is requested--some officers are complete jerks about this--I know, yet it was one of the first things I was taught to do in Drivers Ed--but today do not do it.
Be polite with yes sir, or ma'am or no sir/ma'am answers.
Do not volunteer information that has not been requested other than your ID and that yes or no as to whether you are carrying.
Thank them and when they clear you then you may leave.
Most officers are good about carrying, some are outright jerks. Just follow these little rules and most of the time things will be ok.
I f the officer has "safety" concerns they may ask you to hand them your weapon (never has happened with me), at this point I can't advise, I don't think you are obligated to do so however, we have several officers on here who may be able to answer that. Or get yourself a copy of Mitch Vilo's Utah Gun Laws--it is an excellent work & will describe this for you as to whether you must surrender your piece or not.
Hope this helps and good luck out there!
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These are all very good things to follow. Having been pulled over a few times (ok, maybe more than a few) and have never received a ticket (knock on wood) I consider myself as close to an expert as you can get.
1. Find a safe, preferably well lit, area to pull over. (Now don’t go driving 5- 10 miles down the road looking for a spot, but 95%+ of officers will appreciate you taking the first freeway exit or turning down the first non-busy street or even into a wide pullout instead of dashing over to the tiny shoulder of a busy road or freeway as quickly as you can stop)
2. Place your car into Park (or put on E-brake if manual) and roll down your window ½ way (remember most cars have power windows and the car needs to be on to roll them down, so do it now) Now would also be a good time to turn on your dome light if it is night. (From the time you placed your car in park, rolled down your window, turned on the dome light no more than 10-15 seconds should have elapsed)
3. Turn off your car
4. Place your hands on the steering wheel and KEEP THEM THERE, no pointing, no hand gestures, keep your hands on the wheel.
5. The next steps will transpire something like this (follow any instructions given):
Officer: Do you know why I stopped you?
You: (unless it is painfully obvious example: 60mph in a 25 zone) No sir (You can’t read his mind, for all you know the 30mph you were doing in a 25 zone is not the reason you were pulled over and it was only for a burnt out tail light); and officer I need to inform you I have a concealed weapons permit and I am carrying a handgun.
Officer: OK, where is it
You: It is ________ (remember HANDS STAY PUT, no pointing or reaching)
6. Follow the officer’s instructions, repeating them before or as you do the action. The officer will then either ask you to remove it, or let you keep it. (Just remember to keep your hands away from the trigger and the barrel pointed away from the officer if asked to touch your gun.) DON’T touch your gun if you are not asked to!
7. When asked for your license and registration inform the officer where they are at BEFORE taking your hands from the wheel. (Example: Officer, my license and ccw permit is in my back right pocket, and my registration is in the glove box) That way you don’t just start reaching to some random place in the car
8. After handing the requested items to the officer your hands go back to the steering wheel. And wait for the results.
Tips: You want to make to officer feel safe; by telling him everything you plan to do he is not surprised. If your window doesn’t roll down wait for the officer to get to the door before opening it. If your dome light requires a lot of fumbling or reaching, leave it off or just pop open your door enough to turn the light on. Remember Sir (if male).
I can’t promise these will work for everyone, but they have for me. I have even ended up being invited to go shooting with officers (at a later date) during a traffic stop.
1. Find a safe, preferably well lit, area to pull over. (Now don’t go driving 5- 10 miles down the road looking for a spot, but 95%+ of officers will appreciate you taking the first freeway exit or turning down the first non-busy street or even into a wide pullout instead of dashing over to the tiny shoulder of a busy road or freeway as quickly as you can stop)
2. Place your car into Park (or put on E-brake if manual) and roll down your window ½ way (remember most cars have power windows and the car needs to be on to roll them down, so do it now) Now would also be a good time to turn on your dome light if it is night. (From the time you placed your car in park, rolled down your window, turned on the dome light no more than 10-15 seconds should have elapsed)
3. Turn off your car
4. Place your hands on the steering wheel and KEEP THEM THERE, no pointing, no hand gestures, keep your hands on the wheel.
5. The next steps will transpire something like this (follow any instructions given):
Officer: Do you know why I stopped you?
You: (unless it is painfully obvious example: 60mph in a 25 zone) No sir (You can’t read his mind, for all you know the 30mph you were doing in a 25 zone is not the reason you were pulled over and it was only for a burnt out tail light); and officer I need to inform you I have a concealed weapons permit and I am carrying a handgun.
Officer: OK, where is it
You: It is ________ (remember HANDS STAY PUT, no pointing or reaching)
6. Follow the officer’s instructions, repeating them before or as you do the action. The officer will then either ask you to remove it, or let you keep it. (Just remember to keep your hands away from the trigger and the barrel pointed away from the officer if asked to touch your gun.) DON’T touch your gun if you are not asked to!
7. When asked for your license and registration inform the officer where they are at BEFORE taking your hands from the wheel. (Example: Officer, my license and ccw permit is in my back right pocket, and my registration is in the glove box) That way you don’t just start reaching to some random place in the car
8. After handing the requested items to the officer your hands go back to the steering wheel. And wait for the results.
Tips: You want to make to officer feel safe; by telling him everything you plan to do he is not surprised. If your window doesn’t roll down wait for the officer to get to the door before opening it. If your dome light requires a lot of fumbling or reaching, leave it off or just pop open your door enough to turn the light on. Remember Sir (if male).
I can’t promise these will work for everyone, but they have for me. I have even ended up being invited to go shooting with officers (at a later date) during a traffic stop.
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The outline the CFP instructors use, as provided by the state (instructors can change their own teaching outline if state approves) refers to what to do during a police "encounter" (used to say "confrontation" ).
Note that other states might handle differently. In Texas, you needed to hand over your CCW anytime a government official asked for ID. The lady at the DMV just smiled when I handed my CCW along with my driver license when registering the car.
- Dave
).Note that other states might handle differently. In Texas, you needed to hand over your CCW anytime a government official asked for ID. The lady at the DMV just smiled when I handed my CCW along with my driver license when registering the car.
- Dave
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As a point of clarification, you are only legally required to inform them of your CFP and your weapon if you are armed at the time.
If you are not armed, this is a different situation. You are not legally required to inform, but most people advise on letting them know that you are a CFP holder and that you are not armed. If/when the LEO runs your drivers license he/she will see that you are a CFP holder and if you haven't informed them, they may wonder where your gun is and why you didn't inform them. I think it best to diffuse any potential situation upfront.
But, seeing as none of us EVER leave home without our weapon, we shouldn't ever be in this situation, right?
If you are not armed, this is a different situation. You are not legally required to inform, but most people advise on letting them know that you are a CFP holder and that you are not armed. If/when the LEO runs your drivers license he/she will see that you are a CFP holder and if you haven't informed them, they may wonder where your gun is and why you didn't inform them. I think it best to diffuse any potential situation upfront.
But, seeing as none of us EVER leave home without our weapon, we shouldn't ever be in this situation, right?
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I just read the link posted by Ruger Collector. Do I really have to hand over my firearm if an officer asks? I don't think I should have to for any reason unless something comes up that says I have a warrant, but if I have done nothing wrong except for speeding or something then I feel that he has no right to touch my gun. That is my gun and I have a permit to carry it, he has no right to touch it or even see it as far as I'm concerned. What do you guys think?
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I don't know from a legal perspective. From a security and safety perspective, I think it makes no sense at all for an officer to ask you to handle your weapon and hand it over. I'd be interested to know if this is policy anywhere.luckystrike said:
I think you could definitely argue that the officer has no right to take it. On the other hand, the officer can probably argue that he wanted it for safety reasons.
But this I do know, disobeying an officer's instructions will land you in jail really quickly and is probably not a good idea if the officer knows you're armed. Still, if an officer took my weapon, I'd probably make a formal inquiry about his/her actions and possibly file a complaint.
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I just read through Mitch Vilo's 3rd edition on Utah gun laws and it says nothing about whether or not I must hand over my firearm if an officer asks.
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I think that getting into a debate with the police on the roadside about whether or not you are required to surrender a handgun would generally be a losing proposition. We may feel that the officer is interpreting the law incorrectly but there are mechanisms in place to deal with disputed points of law in a less stressful manner.
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On traffic stops I ask everyone, who I know to be armed. to surrender their gun to me. This is one habit I won't break. I do this for my safety. The first rule of law enforcement is, "Go home at the end of your shift." All it takes is one time for me to be wrong about someone and the consequences, for me, could be fatal. I don't care if I get a complainant against, me everytime I do this. My Life and my Officer Safety Skills come first, PERIOD.
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I'm not trying to argue with you Hunter as I do understand where you're coming from, but in my opinion I think it would come along the lines of unlawful seizure, violating my 4th amendment rights. I have been authorized by law to carry a loaded firearm in my possession with a few restrictions as to where I can carry, but that's about it. That's my right as a law abiding citizen as far as I'm concerned, and if I give no reason for an officer to disarm me then I don't feel it's warranted.
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The catch comes if you are "detained". If you get pulled over for speeding the cop has every right to remove your gun from you are you are currently being detained for a crime.
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Even CFP holders? Even on routine traffic stops?Hunter said:
I'm not questioning your intentions here, but from a tactical perspective, going from handing a gun to someone to shooting that gun would be a matter of fractions of a second, right? It certainly would take a lot more time to fire a weapon from a holster or from a concealed location than if the gun is already in my hand.
Plus, asking someone that is likely already nervous, embarrassed, or even angry about being pulled over to handle a loaded firearm could invite an accident.
Again, I'm not saying what you're doing is wrong, but to me, the disadvantages of having a CFP holder hand over his legally concealed weapon seem to outweigh the possibility that that person (who has passed a CFP course and a background check) might use that legally possessed weapon against you.
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Defininately a reason why there is an 'us vs. them' mentality when it comes to cops and everybody else. I think it needs to be us vs. them the same way that it should be with the rest of our government. The government should fear the people, not the other way around. This seems to be a fairly thin-skinned forum so I'll keep the rest of my opinions to myself.Hunter said:
I have been pulled over twice in the 8 years I have had my CFP. First one was for a dirty license plate that he could not read, (just got back from the cabin on a muddy road) As I handed him my license and my permit I told him I had a loaded firearm, he asked where it was and I said, on the seat under my jacket. He said, OK, just keep your hands away from it for yours and my safety, I said, no problem. He then said that he was a firm believer in the right to carry and asked me what make and model but did not ask to see it.
The second time I was speeding, I told the officer I had a loaded firearm as I handed him my license and permit and he just said, OK.
I do not like handing someone or getting handed a loaded gun . If he asked for it I would ask him if I could l clear it first. Or if he would like to get it himself.
The second time I was speeding, I told the officer I had a loaded firearm as I handed him my license and permit and he just said, OK.
I do not like handing someone or getting handed a loaded gun . If he asked for it I would ask him if I could l clear it first. Or if he would like to get it himself.
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I've never been asked to hand over my firearms in a traffic stop, but would reluctantly follow the officer's instructions if asked. This person has a very dangerous and stressful job, there is no such thing as a 'routine' traffic stop, good men die in traffic stops.
The side of the road is not the place or time to question an officers judgment, you may unintentionally come across as antagonistic or having something to hide. Be thankful he doesn't treat it like a high risk or felony stop, and take you out of the vehicle at gunpoint, put you on the ground, take your weapon and cuff you! He has every right to do that if he feels his safety is at risk.
Besides, most officers are really great people. Unless you've done something really bad, I'd be surprised if Hunter didn't return your firearm with just a wise bit of advice (warning) after running your 27 and 29 check.. Please treat them with the same courtesy and respect that you expect from them.
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The side of the road is not the place or time to question an officers judgment, you may unintentionally come across as antagonistic or having something to hide. Be thankful he doesn't treat it like a high risk or felony stop, and take you out of the vehicle at gunpoint, put you on the ground, take your weapon and cuff you! He has every right to do that if he feels his safety is at risk.
Besides, most officers are really great people. Unless you've done something really bad, I'd be surprised if Hunter didn't return your firearm with just a wise bit of advice (warning) after running your 27 and 29 check.. Please treat them with the same courtesy and respect that you expect from them.
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