Ive asked people, and I usually get different answers.

Some people say if you have a gun in the car, tell the officer right away. Thats what I think is the proper thing to do.

Others say dont even mention it unless they are searching.

So lets say I were to get pulled over with my pistol under my seat. Wait for the officer to come to the window and tell him that there is a pistol under my seat? What words would I use so that he wouldnt freak out? And my pistol always has a full mag of hydrashocks in it but nothing chambered.

Now lets say I have my AR-15, and two if my friends AK-47s in my car. I get pulled over and they are in the trunk. Tell him right away?

Or if I happen to have my AR-15 not in a case, leaning against the passenger seat, pretty much 2 feet away from me. Would it be the right thing to just get out of the car and wait at the back and tell him why I got out?

Thanks for any insight.

This post has been edited by AnonymousD: August 18th 2008 5:44 PM

I would say that the best answer to this would be to check your local and state laws. In some areas it is a courtisy to the officer in others it is mandatory. How you are carrying it may also be an issue. For example when I lived in GA (it may have changed since then) you could carry a loaded gun in the glove box or console without a permit but if it was jammed between, or under the seat it was considered a concealed weapon. Here in TN if I get pulled over I let them know because when they run my DL they will see that I have a CCW because they have the same number. When they come back, they will normally ask if you have your gun with you.

There are also certain areas that have special rules. For exapmle here in TN if you are on any WMA in a vehicle you have to have the gun cased and unloaded. A loaded mag equals a loaded gun on a WMA. We have several roads and even a couple of interstaes that run though WMAs. I dont know what you would do at that point because if you are doing 90 in a 70 on the interstate you obviously dont have the intention of spot lighting deer, at least not at that point.

Also dont forget to check with a state that you are traveling through if you are on the road. I was headed to PA a few months ago and check I was legal for every state between here and there except for about 15 miles going through VA.

I am sure that one of the LEOs that are on this sight will tell you what the laws are in thier area but again that may not be the same in yours.

This post has been edited by redbarron06: August 18th 2008 6:17 PM

Whenever I've gotten pulled over(which, knock on wood doesnt happen any time soon) I hand the LEO my ccw and liscence at the same time. The last time the officer said "I dont need this" And I said " Sir, that was my way of letting you know that I carry concealed." After a brief Where and what is it?,He actually said Thanks for letting him know I was armed. If there is a better way then I would take the advice to heart thankfully.

There are endless answers to this if you have a concealed gun in the car, but first and foremost you have to follow the law and if a state says you have to diclose, then you must disclose. If there is no such law, then you make your own call. I would not disclose and do not disclose.

On the other hand, if it was a simple traffic stop and I had some rifles in the trunk, I wouldn't even bring it up.

This post has been edited by Gmountain: August 18th 2008 7:07 PM

I was always taught that when you get pulled over you place your gun on the dash away from you and keep your hands on the wheel by my Grandpa. I have been pulled over a few times and not once has this been a problem. In Arizona the gun has to be holstered. I tell them I have a gun in the vehicle. The officer usually asks if its loaded and of course it is. Most ask for me to give them the gun and I tell them that I know I don't have to but I understand and if it makes them feel better they can take it. I also tell them that there is one in the pipe. Like I said I have never had a problem other than one DPS unloading my magazine and either losing a couple of hydrashoks or taking them. After the DPS handed me back the gun and bullets. I asked him if we were done and he said yes and I took the spare mag out of the holster and loaded the gun and proceeded the load the extra magazine. I was pulled over for crossing the white line on a very narrow and mountainous road. I told my wife that he was just doing his job and this stop was more like fishing just trying to make contact. Before the officer left I thanked him and told him I appreciated him being up here as I used to to live up there and had been run off the road several times by drunks and big rigs trying to shave off a little time to get up north. I usually tend to get along pretty well with cops.

Only thing about that is that I would not want him to see me digging under the seat or on the side of it while hes walking up.

For me its second nature. I see lights come on I take the gun and put it in the dash. I dont keep my gun under the seat I keep between the seats or between the seat and console.

The laws are so varied from state to state that I would seek info from my own state and figure it out from there. What might be perfectly legal in one state could get you in deep stuff just across the state line....

Think wisely

Here's a site I use a lot.

Conceal Carry net

Tj

I spoke with two working Police Officers, (one from Pa. and one from MD) and both of them concur that the best thing to do is tell them that you are armed and have a permit to be armed.
Secondly: Don't drive so that you get pulled over and won't have to explain why you are armed.
Third: Throwing the gun up on the dash board, woulld make me suspicious of you and probably I would be calling for back up as I draw down you. Keep it in the holster and tell the officer and go from there.


REB (Ret. LEO)

This post has been edited by REB: August 20th 2008 1:44 PM

Clearly it depends on the law of the state. If there is no requirement to tell anyone, then I wouldn't.

In Pa. it is required by law I was told, by the local PD. I cannot say about MD. as I have not worked there for 10 years.


REB