Any time I can shoot and have a cameraman with me and not have to constantly film myself and set up the tripod over and over and frame up the shot I jump at the chance. With Dad being in town we had planned to go shooting anyway so we packed up first thing then grabbed a breakfast sandwich before hitting the road.
Like I often do I was talking and failed to notice as I was eating my sandwich and running my mouth that I was driving too fast… in a school zone… at 8:30am. It was already too late when Dad pointed out the cop car staked out at the entrance to the school lot. Crap. The truck was full of guns and shooting supplies and both Dad and I were each carrying a concealed firearm, just like we do every day.
I wasn’t freaked about getting in trouble, we weren’t doing anything wrong (other than speeding). But for those who have never been pulled over in their vehicle either with a firearm in the car or carrying a concealed weapon I wanted to give two tips for what you should do in that scenario.
- First off, before the officer is even at your window, grab your license and concealed carry permit in your hand then put both hands on the wheel where the LEO can see them. I gave our new “friend” these before he even asked for them, here was his exact response:
“Are you carrying your firearm today?” Me – YES
“Where is it located?” Me – My right hip.
“What kind of gun is it?” Me – ____ ___.
“Please keep your hands on the wheel where I can see them.” Me – You got it.
- Second… just follow directions. Some will say that they won’t reveal this type of information unless they must, but I’m of the mind that it’s best to avoid surprises when dealing with LEO. So I choose to be honest up front.
Did my encounter have a happy ending? Sort of, I had a pretty stiff fine for going too fast in a school one. Not undeserved. BUT, the LEO was pretty friendly towards us and was generous by just fining me for speeding considering my plates were expired (whoops) and I didn’t have up to date proof of insurance with me (double whoops).
All that said, the best thing for you to do is communicate openly. Many will be surprised to find LEO’s are appreciative and supportive to law abiding gun toters. The LEO we encountered didn’t ask to search the vehicle, I didn’t have to get out and he seemed genuinely disappointed he couldn’t go shooting with us. Will this always be the case? No, but AS ALWAYS, know your local laws, abide by them and try to prevent surprises.
Keep Calm & Carry On.
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14 Responses to What if I Get Pulled Over?
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I have had similar experiences when pulled over while carrying a concealed firearm. I was actually surprised more getting pulled over while not carrying and the officer acted more surprised that I left my firearm at home rather than carrying it.
Which begs the question… why were you NOT carrying?!?!?!?
…or if you live in a semi-free state: (1) Don’t present your firearm license as it is not required to do so everywhere (2) Don’t even bother mentioned the inanimate object that has nothing to do with your current encounter (3) Carry on.
I agree but disagree. Can I do that. The thing you can’t account for is whether or not you’ll have a free state thinking officer whether in a free state or not, so I choose to avoid surprises as I said. However, either one is not illegal. Good points, especially the 3rd
You did the right thing. I’ve had that happen to me a few times ( not in a school zone!) and every time I have been let go with a be care and slow down. Of course I live in Tx. and on more then one occasion an armed citizen has helped a LEO. Keeping your hands on the wheel and being polite goes a long way. Great job Ebb’s!
I almost forgot about HoG since you never visit PT and remind us anymore but stumbled across it tonight while searching for something else.
Anyway…. you know i’ve had my share of run-ins with LEO while carrying. I would say 7-8 times now… heck ive lost count.
In Colorado I had at least 3 stops… all were told up front that I was carrying and all 3 had the same basic response: “Don’t pull it out, and I won’t pull mine out”. There was that one stop where the officer claimed he smelled alcohol (yea right) and wanted me to do a field sobriety test. It was a pretty funny situation walking the line, and doing the roadside test with a full size 1911 in an OWB holster on the side of a busy road. It felt sort of like a victory for us who carry… me and the officer standing there together as equals. He didn’t seem to mind at all.
Texas was even more liberal. I was stopped 3-4+ times there. I always just handed them my license and carry permit. Only ONCE did a TX officer even acknowledge that I was carrying. (they usually just handed my permit back and went about writing my tickets). One time an officer did ask me if I minded sitting in his car with him while he ran my license which I had no problem with. It was in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night and he was a new officer and I think he felt a little bit vulnerable. He never asked to see my gun, or for me to remove it or anything. Very respectful.
I had that situation in TX where I actually displayed my gun while driving. There was a drunken (I’m guessing) maniac who was doing the road rage thing and was determined to put me into the wall AFTER nearly running my wife and kids off the road who were following me in another vehicle. The guy wouldn’t back down and kept swerving into me, slamming on his brakes in front of me, etc. I finally turned my cab light on, lifted my Kimber Super Carry Custom into view while he was along side me, and he immediately backed down. Of course his girlfriend called 911 and there were police from city, county, and even highway patrol waiting for me when I got off of the highway. Even then, the officer who approached my truck was very respectful. Asked if I had a gun, I told him yes… a couple on me actually. He didn’t freak out, just asked me to come back to his car with him. He then went and got my handgun, and my rifle and unloaded both and set them in his car. Within minutes of sorting the situation out, I found myself standing around talking guns with officers from all around the area. The coolest part was that the officer who first approached my truck RELOADED my kimber and put it right back in my truck where he found it. They told me they appreciate those who carry, and they consider us to be an extension of themselves and they commended me on how i handled the situation.
And then Arizona…. ahh yes. Even more liberal with guns than Colorado and Texas combined. I’ve only been stopped once out here (I really am working on this speeding thing) and the officer literally laughed at me when I handed him my conceal carry permit from TX. He said “You actually have a permit for this in TX?” He went on to tell me how I didn’t even need to disclose it to him and that it didn’t matter if I was carrying open or concealed because of the passing of the recent laws here.
I will say that my experience with carrying concealed (which I do daily) has been 110% positive. Maybe I haven’t run into “that cop” yet, and if I do I am sure it will change my opinion, but so far, i’m very happy and confident in the carry revolution that has swept this country in the last 10 years or so.
Please send me my prize for the longest comment ever on HoG. I guess I am overly passionate about this particular subject.
Chris, that very well could have been considered brandishing a weapon. Not a good plan.
Putting my family at risk was not such a good plan either. Had i not been on the highway and this guy would have pulled a stunt like that around my family, it might have been much worse.
You’re right about that. There are some real jerks out there. I’m glad they were safe.
I do not have a Concealed Cary License, and Texas prohibits open carry of a hand gun unless you are a LEO. However, Texas Castle Laws extend to your vehicle. This created an awkward situation once after an accident. The LEO was told up front that a loaded gun was in the wrecked car and it needed to be removed before the car was towed away. The trooper was not uncomfortable at all about the situation, since I was up front about it. However, he had to call a supervisor to figure out how for me to get my loaded gun out of my car and get a ride home from the tow truck driver without creating a technically illegal situation. All this to say, there are all kinds of variations in gun laws from state to state. It is important to know what they are where you live.
Gee; I wish I lived in a free state. I’m stuck in the Peoples Republic of New Jersey.
Haha stinks doesn’t it? We’ve got room out west if you’re interested.
You have to rub it in, don’t you!
My girlfriend was pulled over in my car and the car is registered to me. I made a mistake and left my gun in the glove compartment box on accident. I didnt realize it until she called me when she got pulled over using her bluetooth. I do have my ccw and the gun is in my name. The orginal stop was that my windows were to dark but i purchased the car as is. Can someone please help me out on this. Whats going to happen.