Odd traffic stop yesterday.

[CHL/LEO]

If the gun reports back stolen...then what? Arrest?

Depends upon the totality of the circumstances. For sure the gun would be seized but in most cased I would just type up a recovered property report and forward it to our detectives to investigate. We have the gun and they know how to get a hold of you so there would be no reason to arrest you.

If I recall correctly, all of the stolen guns that I've seized were from individuals that I was going to arrest on other charges such as warrants, drugs, UCW, etc.

[AEA]

If the gun reports back stolen...then what? Arrest?

Depends upon the totality of the circumstances. For sure the gun would be seized but in most cased I would just type up a recovered property report and forward it to our detectives to investigate. We have the gun and they know how to get a hold of you so there would be no reason to arrest you.

If I recall correctly, all of the stolen guns that I've seized were from individuals that I was going to arrest on other charges such as warrants, drugs, UCW, etc.

Good point........so I think it is safe to say that a CHL holder would not knowingly carry a stolen gun.

So, for this particular LEO that places a loaded gun on his cruiser's hood 15 feet behind him for anyone walking in the parking lot to pick up while he is doing an illegal search of the van makes me wonder about his mentality.

[CHL/LEO]

...while he is doing an illegal search of the van

Based upon what the owner of the vehicle said I don't see where you come up an "illegal search"

Yes I did let him search the van. I have nothing to hide.

[ejector]

Yes I did let him search the van. I have nothing to hide.

Of course you do. Everyone has something to hide; sometimes they just don't know it. And while corrupt officers might be one in a million, you only have to meet that one in order for him to "find" something that wasn't there before the search started. And from there, your whole day is ruined.

I think you have to look at the situation, if you are lit up for speeding, and you know you were speeding.. Wouldn't you do just about anything the LEO asked inorder to get off with warning.. I know I would.

frig.. it's costs $100-$200 in court fees/saftey course and don't forget your own personal time.

As my CHL instructor drilled into my head.. "there is right and then there is smart"..

[rkhal]

Your firearm MUST be registered to carry?

Even if it was a citizen to citizen property sale?

No --- there is no gun registration in Texas ---- the officer more than likely ran the weapon to make sure it wasn't stolen.

[AEA]

...while he is doing an illegal search of the van

Based upon what the owner of the vehicle said I don't see where you come up an "illegal search"

Yes I did let him search the van. I have nothing to hide.

Sorry missed that, Only saw "Then comes back to me and leaves it unattended behind him. By this point I'm freaking out and not sure what to say. He then searches my truck, and played 25 questions."

Although, there was no mention if the LEO ASKED to search the vehicle. Only that the individual allowed him to do it. Was this allowed after the search began? If the LEO did not ask, and receive an affirmative response BEFORE the search began, then it was in fact an illegal search.

Now that is out of the way, would you like to comment on this LEO's actions with a loaded gun on his hood in Lewisville (known high crime) for anyone to pick up while he was "doing his duty, searching the van"?

[CHL/LEO]

I wasn't there so I can't comment on his actions but I will tell you that I would never leave a loaded gun unsecured. That means on the hood of my car or even tucked into my waist band. If a confrontation started then you have to worry about an unsecured and accessible firearm.

If I'm really concerned enough about someone that I have to take their gun away, then I'm either going to unload it or lock it in the trunk of my vehicle until that person is free to go. Again, I wasn't there so I can only tell you what I would do, or how I would train another officer.

[AEA]

Thank you.....

I appreciate your forthright answers and I respect the job you do and can only hope others in your line of work consider their safety first before jacking with someone who is not a criminal (as shown by his holding a CHL).

[AEA]

spud......

"Then I have to wait for gun registration check. (Could not find serial number, I had to show him)".

The more I read you original post the more upset about this LEO I get!
It is more like "Reno 911" than a real LEO!

Was this guy actually in a marked Police Car? I find it hard to believe that he was in fact a LEO!

I suggest that you contact the Chief of Police in Lewisville and file a complaint about the way he handled your weapon.
Not to get him in trouble, but to hopefully get him some training!

Not only did he put himself in danger, he put you and everyone else in the vicinity in danger as well!

You might send the link to this thread to the Chief for his info.

[KBCraig]

I think you have to look at the situation, if you are lit up for speeding, and you know you were speeding.. Wouldn't you do just about anything the LEO asked inorder to get off with warning.. I know I would.

No. I wouldn't.

[stevie_d_64]

I think you have to look at the situation, if you are lit up for speeding, and you know you were speeding.. Wouldn't you do just about anything the LEO asked inorder to get off with warning.. I know I would.

No. I wouldn't.

I agree...Once the infraction is discovered, I have found out that my attitude is in the correct place when I understand that this little piece of plastic we carry is not a get out of jail free card, or a coupon for a "warning"...

Of course, you may get a free bowl of soup someday with it, but I have yet to find that restarant that would serve me one...

I'm not going to to anything to warrant any leniency at all...I know there is enough tension in those stops...And the sooner I display a proper attitude and make sure I OOZE a non-threatening demeanor, the better...

Sure, I'll still refuse concent to a search, but I have never displayed any reason for the LEO to even broach the subject, anywhere in this country where I have been pulled over...

[flintknapper]

Your firearm MUST be registered to carry?

Even if it was a citizen to citizen property sale?

No --- there is no gun registration in Texas ---- the officer more than likely ran the weapon to make sure it wasn't stolen.

Why would there be any presumption/suspicion the firearm was stolen....and why couldn't the officer then go search the persons home and "run" those guns too, after all....he "might" find something.

Also, why did this officer think he needed to search the vehicle? Did he think he was going to "find more speeding"?

[BrassMonkey]

Maybe he thought he would find two pounds of meth...

[flintknapper]

Maybe he thought he would find two pounds of meth...

Maybe he thought he'd find Jimmy Hoffa too, but he should still need a decent reason to initiate a search.