Williamson County :(

[mreavis]

I will not be living in Williamson county when my lease is up.

I don't know if I have been unlucky or if I am holding my face wrong or something. But I have been pulled over by Williamson county pd 3 times in the 9 months I have lived here. They are all fairly long stories with all the details. But to keep it short and simple here is the highlights of the last one.

- Pulled over on the way to range at 9 am
- Hand him CHL tell him glock is on right hip and mention AR-15 in backseat
- Officer tells me his computer told him I did not have insurance when he ran my plates
- The proof of insurance I had was expired but I did have insurance
- Asks to check my guns to see if there stolen. I don't want a ticket so I say sure why not. I bought both off the shelf I know they are fine.
- Checks AR, retains for the moment, never asks to check sidearm on hip
- Gives me ticket for no insurance (FTMFR) but says he wont file it if I call the courts today with proof of insurance
- Goes on to lecture me that although he knows it is my right I shouldn't drive around with an AR in my back seat. And I quote "It makes cops nervous. What if I were to want to get in a gun fight with them? Its so readily available." (I almost lost my cool there but I decided I just wanted to leave so I said sure, I understand. Not to mention I just told him I had a loaded glock on my hip)
- Asks me to pop the trunk so he can put AR in it for me (and probably to look in my trunk) - I said sure and did it. Again I just want to go at the point, I'm late.

So I tried to take care of the ticket that day. But it was Sunday and everything was closed. I laughed at myself for not realizing that when he gave me those instructions. But then again, it is not my job.

Its been 2 weeks. He still never filed the ticket.

Let me be clear. I like police officers and am thankful for the service they provide. But I just do not run into the right ones or something. While that is surely the worst encounter. That was ridiculous.

[Beiruty]

I will not be living in Williamson county when my lease is up.

I don't know if I have been unlucky or if I am holding my face wrong or something. But I have been pulled over by Williamson county pd 3 times in the 9 months I have lived here. They are all fairly long stories with all the details. But to keep it short and simple here is the highlights of the last one.

- Pulled over on the way to range at 9 am
- Hand him CHL tell him glock is on right hip and mention AR-15 in backseat
- Officer tells me his computer told him I did not have insurance when he ran my plates
- The proof of insurance I had was expired but I did have insurance
- Asks to check my guns to see if there stolen. I don't want a ticket so I say sure why not. I bought both off the shelf I know they are fine.
- Checks AR, retains for the moment, never asks to check sidearm on hip
- Gives me ticket for no insurance (FTMFR) but says he wont file it if I call the courts today with proof of insurance
- Goes on to lecture me that although he knows it is my right I shouldn't drive around with an AR in my back seat. And I quote "It makes cops nervous. What if I were to want to get in a gun fight with them? Its so readily available." (I almost lost my cool there but I decided I just wanted to leave so I said sure, I understand. Not to mention I just told him I had a loaded glock on my hip)
- Asks me to pop the trunk so he can put AR in it for me (and probably to look in my trunk) - I said sure and did it. Again I just want to go at the point, I'm late.

So I tried to take care of the ticket that day. But it was Sunday and everything was closed. I laughed at myself for not realizing that when he gave me those instructions. But then again, it is not my job.

Its been 2 weeks. He still never filed the ticket.

Let me be clear. I like police officers and am thankful for the service they provide. But I just do not run into the right ones or something. While that is surely the worst encounter. That was ridiculous.

I keep latest insurance card in my wallet and extra one in the glove box. Geico usually sends me at least 4 copies. 2 for me and 2 for my wife.
Also, slow down, do not speed.

[mreavis]

I will not be living in Williamson county when my lease is up.

I don't know if I have been unlucky or if I am holding my face wrong or something. But I have been pulled over by Williamson county pd 3 times in the 9 months I have lived here. They are all fairly long stories with all the details. But to keep it short and simple here is the highlights of the last one.

- Pulled over on the way to range at 9 am
- Hand him CHL tell him glock is on right hip and mention AR-15 in backseat
- Officer tells me his computer told him I did not have insurance when he ran my plates
- The proof of insurance I had was expired but I did have insurance
- Asks to check my guns to see if there stolen. I don't want a ticket so I say sure why not. I bought both off the shelf I know they are fine.
- Checks AR, retains for the moment, never asks to check sidearm on hip
- Gives me ticket for no insurance (FTMFR) but says he wont file it if I call the courts today with proof of insurance
- Goes on to lecture me that although he knows it is my right I shouldn't drive around with an AR in my back seat. And I quote "It makes cops nervous. What if I were to want to get in a gun fight with them? Its so readily available." (I almost lost my cool there but I decided I just wanted to leave so I said sure, I understand. Not to mention I just told him I had a loaded glock on my hip)
- Asks me to pop the trunk so he can put AR in it for me (and probably to look in my trunk) - I said sure and did it. Again I just want to go at the point, I'm late.

So I tried to take care of the ticket that day. But it was Sunday and everything was closed. I laughed at myself for not realizing that when he gave me those instructions. But then again, it is not my job.

Its been 2 weeks. He still never filed the ticket.

Let me be clear. I like police officers and am thankful for the service they provide. But I just do not run into the right ones or something. While that is surely the worst encounter. That was ridiculous.

I keep latest insurance card in my wallet and extra one in the glove box. Geico usually sends me at least 4 copies. 2 for me and 2 for my wife.
Also, slow down, do not speed.

Yea It was without a doubt my mistake for not having proof of insurance. I was not speeding though. Not much of a speeder.

[tomtexan]

So, what was the purpose of the traffic stop to begin with?

[mreavis]

He said when he ran my plates the computer told him I did not have auto insurance. Local PD's have a new computer network or something that apparently checks for insurance when they run your plates now. It's also fairly apparent it doesn't work right yet.

[tomtexan]

Ah ok, he ran the plates prior to the stop thus creating PC.

[Originalist]

Actually, from a TLETS terminal (slightly better then a MDC) TLETS will tell you if insurance status is confirmed or if you need to manually verify. It is not a flawless system and can be outdated by a couple months. Furthermore, I am not sure if that would be a valid traffic stop, considering the system doesn't say expired or not, merely confirmed or manually verify.

[The Annoyed Man]

Actually, from a TLETS terminal (slightly better then a MDC) TLETS will tell you if insurance status is confirmed or if you need to manually verify. It is not a flawless system and can be outdated by a couple months. Furthermore, I am not sure if that would be a valid traffic stop, considering the system doesn't say expired or not, merely confirmed or manually verify.

I don't mind if a cop asks me for proof of insurance after he stops me. It's the law, and I am required to have it. I do mind fishing expeditions. Getting stopped to see if I'm breaking the law is a darn sight different from getting stopped because I've broken the law. It's like the difference between getting stopped for speeding or something and being asked for ID during the stop, and being stopped just to see if you have ID. One is acceptable. The other isn't.

I respect the job of an LEO, I want to have cordial relations with them, and they are absolutely necessary to an orderly society..........not because most of us need to be policed, but because a small few of us do. Treating all of us like we're part of the few that need it is insulting and oversteps the bounds of the relationship between citizens and government. Trust cuts both ways. Treat me like I can't be trusted, particularly when I know that I can, and pretty soon I stop trusting you. If I can't trust you, then I don't want to pay your salary, and I don't feel safe around you.

If I was speeding, then fine, pull me over and write me the ticket. I deserve it. Ask for my ID and proof of insurance, and I'll gladly hand it over. But if I wasn't speeding (or otherwise breaking the law), how about presuming my innocence instead of pestering me? It's like being pulled over to prove that I didn't do anything. Cops like that, I don't need. Departmental cultures like that are not deserving of respect.

BTW, I haven't been stopped for a moving violation since Christmas eve of 1999. I was stopped once a couple of years ago for an expired inspection sticker. It's not that hard to stay out of trouble. Just show a little respect for the law.......the same kind of respect that I expect from law enforcement. It's a two way street.

[OldCannon]

Wait, I don't get this: What reasonable cause does he have to think your guns are stolen? Without his statement of probable cause, I doubt I would consent to that search.

[RPB]

Burnet County is better, and if you have to go to that Austin Country, go through Travis County maybe?

I have to go to Austin at least twice this month from Burnet County area, I'm dreading it.
Partly the traffic, partly the Austinites, I'm not sure what immunizations I need, I'd rather go down 281 to San Antonio where at least the food is better, but ...

[Heartland Patriot]

I grew up in Texas, both East and South (depending on the exact year); a heck of a lot of folks carried rifles and shotguns in their pickup gun racks back then and it wasn't a big deal. Were all those people carrying firearms in their window itching to get into gun fights with LEOs? Of course not...that is ridiculous, just like the LEO's comment to the OP. Also, though I fully understand why the OP did so, I wouldn't like an LEO running my firearms to see if they are "stolen" as a matter of course...why should they unless I did something of a nature to cause them to seriously suspect me of some serious wrong-doing. Just doesn't seem right. BTW, we have USAA insurance, we print the new ones off the computer ourselves, and I have gone some times with "expired" insurance DOCUMENTS in the visor, even though the policy has always been kept up to date and valid. A problem, yes...serious, NO.

[Beiruty]

If I carried an AK in the front passenger's foot well of my car, and I was stopped for a traffic violation. Would I be in real trouble?

[RoyGBiv]

Without his statement of probable cause, I doubt I would consent to that search.

The hassle factor would probably sway me to allow the search without PC, or I'd expect to be there all day while he called out a dog or whatever tyranny would come next.

I would instead get it done with minimal fuss and follow up with his department before the ink dried on his report.

[Justice]

If I carried an AK in the front passenger's foot well of my car, and I was stopped for a traffic violation. Would I be in real trouble?

Nope, technically you could walk with one on your shoulder if you wanted to. But, people would take offense, and police will be called. Also check for any local ordinances!

[puma guy]

Actually, from a TLETS terminal (slightly better then a MDC) TLETS will tell you if insurance status is confirmed or if you need to manually verify. It is not a flawless system and can be outdated by a couple months. Furthermore, I am not sure if that would be a valid traffic stop, considering the system doesn't say expired or not, merely confirmed or manually verify.

I didn't know what is was called but the officers I have encountered have all said it is usually not up to date. Once when a woman slammed into my daughter, a guy that sideswiped my brother's Bronco when I was with him and once on my truck when a man came into my lane form the opposite way and knocked my mirror off. They all to a man said the insurance check was almost worthless. That was within the last year and a half. The system said the woman had insurance but she didn't. Maybe it's better now, huh, mreavis