Disarmed

[jnkirk1974]

While I do understand the rational behind leaving your gun on the console or dash of your car (because you are trying to be honest and give full disclosure to the officer),
in a lot of cases, this actually makes things more difficult for you (and the officer).

My good family friend who is a former lieutenant with the Dallas Police told me to keep it concealed. This is because, once the gun is exposed, it makes it easier for you
to grab it and hurt the officer. If the officer truly wants to see your weapon, he will ask for it.

I have been pulled over several times (for random reasons) and the officer has NEVER asked to see my weapon. I just make sure that I give him my CHL and my driver's license
up front without making him ask for it. That show's that I'm giving him all needed information without him needing to ask for it. This usually knocks down all of the walls.

Again, give all of your licenses to the officer the second he gets to your window. He will appreciate this much more than seeing a gun on your console. At this point,
he will most likely have no need to see your weapon. He will then assume you have one and take your word for it. At this point, he really will have no need to see it (unless
he's just a gun fan and just wants to see what you like to carry).

[jbirds1210]

I was disarmed by Nacadoches PD a few years back. My wife had a heavy foot that day and caused me to be detained

For those that know me....I hope you agree that my demeanor is not threatening. I smiled and talked with the guys and was actually amused that my wife (with a spotless driving record) was being pulled over.

The officer was a FTO to a young fellow and actually used us as instruction. My handgun was removed from the vehicle, unloaded, and retained until the stop was over. I was handed the gun and given permission to reload when they had driven away.

The guys were friendly and seemed as if they were following policy. I am not in agreement with it, but that is what happened. Hopefully policy has changed with new laws on the books.

Kimberly even got to take defensive driving to celebrate the event.

Jason

Jason,
Maybe I missed something, but I'm confused. If your wife was stopped, why were YOU disarmed? Why did you have to disclose you were carrying?
Regina

Good question!

This occured before there was any clear car carry law. My gun was holstered underneath my lab coat, which was actually behind my wife's seat (easier for me to reach there). The traffic ticket was amusing, but I am afraid that she might have hurt me had she taken a ride for UCW


We both have a CHL now so it is really a non-issue for her.

Jason

[Venus Pax]

I have had only one encounter with an LEO since receiving my CHL, and that was after my vehicle accident in August. I handed him my plastic. He handed it back to me saying he didn't need it, as he had never been shot working an accident in his 30+ years in law enforcement.
Later, he gave me a ride to a safer part of the shoulder until my husband arrived. I kept my .380 on my waist and a revolver in my purse the entire time.
He was both professional and helpful the entire time.

[flb_78]

Jason,
Maybe I missed something, but I'm confused. If your wife was stopped, why were YOU disarmed? Why did you have to disclose you were carrying?
Regina

Im sure that he was asked for ID as well, and when you are asked for ID from an officer, you are obligated by law to present your driver's license and CHL to the officer.

[wileyj]

IT has been said that you should have your license out when the officer gets to your window. I carry on my right hip IWB under my shirt. My intention is to lower the window and put my hands on the steering wheel. When the office approaches, I will tell him i have a CHL, it is in my wallet in my right rear pocket and tell him i am going to get it for him.
My concern is that if I am leaning over and reaching for my wallet, that action might be interpreted as digging for something bad.
I would rather tell him about every move I am making
..wiley

[KD5NRH]

My concern is that if I am leaning over and reaching for my wallet, that action might be interpreted as digging for something bad.
I would rather tell him about every move I am making

I turn on the interior light and hit the window button as I'm pulling over, and get the wallet out as soon as I get the car in park. I then get the DL/CHL and insurance card in my left hand fanned out, lay the wallet on the dash, and put both hands on the wheel. I've yet to have an officer make it around his own car door before this is done. By the time they get to my back door, they can identify the CHL, and since the insurance card is already out as well, that pretty much takes care of any need to dig in pockets or the glovebox. They seem to appreciate that everything is done above the level of the dash so they can see it all, and I can keep my hands in view throughout the stop.

[wileyj]

KD5NRH, good reasoning
I (fortunately) drive a Miata and getting a wallet out of my rear pocket is a challenge at times.
My DL and CHL are in the card holders in the wallet but the insurance card is down inside.
I like your concept and might work on that. I feel that if I am not digging around down below the level of the seat, I might get along better.
My only recent stop was without a weapon. I still told the DPS office that I had a CHL but was not carrying at the time.
..wiley

[KD5NRH]

My DL and CHL are in the card holders in the wallet but the insurance card is down inside.

Every insurance company I've had would provide as many cards as you wanted, and a few provided one per car plus one per driver without being asked. I always keep one in my wallet and my wife keeps one in her purse. If nothing else, in a wreck it would keep us from having to dig around among broken glass and such any more than necessary.

[LarryH]

My DL and CHL are in the card holders in the wallet but the insurance card is down inside.

Every insurance company I've had would provide as many cards as you wanted, and a few provided one per car plus one per driver without being asked. I always keep one in my wallet and my wife keeps one in her purse. If nothing else, in a wreck it would keep us from having to dig around among broken glass and such any more than necessary.

It also keeps you from getting a ticket for no proof of insurance, in the event the collision distorts the panel to the extent that you can't get the glovebox open (happened to my wife and step-son several years ago).

[wileyj]

And I don't carry one in my car. I drive a convertible sports car that I do not lock. The top can just be cut and entry effected. My insurance cards have names and my address on them and I just do not want that kind of information stolen.
..wiley

[Penn]

My DL and CHL are in the card holders in the wallet but the insurance card is down inside.

Every insurance company I've had would provide as many cards as you wanted, and a few provided one per car plus one per driver without being asked. I always keep one in my wallet and my wife keeps one in her purse. If nothing else, in a wreck it would keep us from having to dig around among broken glass and such any more than necessary.

It also keeps you from getting a ticket for no proof of insurance, in the event the collision distorts the panel to the extent that you can't get the glovebox open (happened to my wife and step-son several years ago).

The cop gave them a ticket - or they couldn't open the glove box? I think that is pretty heartless if he wrote them up because the box was jammed shut - because of an accident anyway.

[LarryH]

It also keeps you from getting a ticket for no proof of insurance, in the event the collision distorts the panel to the extent that you can't get the glovebox open (happened to my wife and step-son several years ago).

The cop gave them a ticket - or they couldn't open the glove box? I think that is pretty heartless if he wrote them up because the box was jammed shut - because of an accident anyway.

Both -- they couldn't open the glove box, so couldn't show proof of insurance, so he ticketed them (my step-son, actually, because he was driving). Of course, the ticket was dismissed when they showed the judge that insurance was in force at the time of the accident.

Yes, the officer was extremely "letter-of-the-law". I couldn 't think of a "10-year-old-daughter-appropriate" word at the time. Sorry about that.

[NcongruNt]

I've been asked for ID by an LEO three times since I got my CHL a little under a year ago.

The first was when I reported suspicious persons after being asked for a ride and propositioned with sexual favors as payment during my lunch break outside of my workplace. I was asked by the APD officer "you don't have your gun on you, do you?" to which I replied that I did. He asked that I not reach for it, and I assured him that I would not. I was not asked the location of my gun or disarmed. They ended hauling one of the persons off for possession of a dangerous drug (IIRC) and promotion of prostitution.

The second time, I was stopped by DPS downtown near the Capitol for going a little too fast (I estimated it at 42 in a 35 - the officer seemed to have not gotten a clock reading). I handed over my CHL, DL, & insurance and she asked if I had my gun with me. I affirmed that I did, and was never asked where it was or to surrender it. I recieved a warning and was on my way in around 10 minutes. It was handled in a very courteous manner, as can be expected from DPS.

The third time, I had called in an altercation between two of my neighbors in the courtyard of my apartment complex. I was again asked "you don't have your gun with you, do you?" (not sure if this is APD SOP, but seems to be an odd way to ask if someone is armed), to which I replied that I did. I was asked to keep my hands away from it, which I assured the officer that I would. I was not asked the location of my firearm or disarmed. A report was filed and one of the neighbors involved showed up and spoke with the officers. No charges filed and no one taken away.

Good interactions with LEOs so far, and it doesn't seem to be any sort of policy around here to disarm CHLers.

[seamusTX]

I was again asked "you don't have your gun with you, do you?" (not sure if this is APD SOP, but seems to be an odd way to ask if someone is armed), ...

That's an interesting way to pose the question. You can't really answer Yes or No. You have to answer with a complete sentence, or get follow-up questions.

- Jim