DPS trooper running serial numbers?

[SQLGeek]

Don't speed, don't run stop signs and drive sensibly within the law and one shouldn't have these issues...you reckon?

This, of course, in nonsense. Any officer could find probable cause to pull over a vehicle after a short period of following that vehicle. The motor vehicle laws are so complex that nobody can drive 100% legally for very long. Did you signal 100 ft before changing lanes? Come to a full and complete stop at the stop sign? Stop before crossing the sidewalk while exiting the parking lot? Are your tires worn? Lights working? Inspection sticker up to date? Using a cell phone? If they want to pull you over, they will.

Don't forget the always-useful "swerving within the lane".

Driving too slow. Following too closely. And of course do I even have to mention DWB?

It seems you have an axe to grind with LE.

[sjfcontrol]

Don't speed, don't run stop signs and drive sensibly within the law and one shouldn't have these issues...you reckon?

This, of course, in nonsense. Any officer could find probable cause to pull over a vehicle after a short period of following that vehicle. The motor vehicle laws are so complex that nobody can drive 100% legally for very long. Did you signal 100 ft before changing lanes? Come to a full and complete stop at the stop sign? Stop before crossing the sidewalk while exiting the parking lot? Are your tires worn? Lights working? Inspection sticker up to date? Using a cell phone? If they want to pull you over, they will.

Don't forget the always-useful "swerving within the lane".

Driving too slow. Following too closely. And of course do I even have to mention DWB?

It seems you have an axe to grind with LE.

Nope -- actually I've only been pulled over three times in my life, and many years apart. However, I don't agree with those that think that "not speeding, or running stop lights" will prevent being pulled over. The laws are stacked such that they WILL pull you over for any small thing if they want to. Is that bad? Guess it depends on your point of view. It is if YOU'RE the one being stopped. On the other hand, it is how they find a lot of BGs.

[SQLGeek]

Perhaps it was the "DWB" comment that made it appear that way. I think it was uncalled for but carry on.

[Keith B]

OK folks, just a reminder that individual incidents are fine to discuss, but no blatant LEO bashing is allowed. Please remember to abide by the guidelines.

[The Annoyed Man]

All I can say is that I haven't been stopped but once since 1999, and that was for an overdue inspection sticker just a couple of months ago — my fault. However, I drive with moderation in mind these days. I used to get stopped a lot before 1999. I didn't drive back then with moderation in mind. In fact, I was a jerk behind the wheel. And for the record, the last time I got stopped and hadn't done anything wrong, it was 1971, and I was pulled over for DWHRLH (Driving While Having Really Long Hair). Every single other time I've ever been stopped, I was guilty of the cited infraction. So I see a direct correlation between my driving habits and how often I get stopped.

[2barearms]

After many phone calls, I finally spoke to a Lt at the Division Level here and he said he
would be working to change the practice of disarming CHL's during rountine traffic stops.
There has already been one AD as a result of an Officer unloading a CHL's weapon.
So maybe all my effort has been has been worth it, we''ll wait and see.

[gemini]

After many phone calls, I finally spoke to a Lt at the Division Level here and he said he
would be working to change the practice of disarming CHL's during rountine traffic stops.
There has already been one AD as a result of an Officer unloading a CHL's weapon.
So maybe all my effort has been has been worth it, we''ll wait and see.

Thanks for taking the time and effort to persue this to a level at DPS where it might
actually make a positive change.
Wow, AD/ND while unloading a disarmed CHLer's weapon? I'm afraid to comment
further on this would be seen as LEO bashing.

[srothstein]

Good job, 2barearms. I am glad you got through to someone who was willing to listen.

[GrayGhost]

Good job, 2barearms. I am glad you got through to someone who was willing to listen.

Thanks!

[kw5kw]

Just 3 years ago we probably ran less than one person a day that had a CHL, now we probably average at least 4 per 8 hour shift. Out of all of those we probably average only one request to run a serial number per month to a month and a half.

[Smokey613]

The only time I have ever disarmed another peace officer was when we arrested a fellow deputy sheriff for criminal conspiracy. He was invloved in a burglary ring and we arrested him while on duty. It was not a good feeling to load him handcuffed into the back of his own patrol unit and transport him to the downtown jail for processing. I am glad I never had to repeat that event during the remainder of my 22 years in law enforcement.

[Deltaboy]

Glad to hear that changes are being made I got stopped 2 years ago by a very young DPS officer. I told him I was carrying he asked me to step out of the car and stand at the back of my SUv while he ran my DL CL and Insurance. It was nice incounter and I was not disarmed. I laughed when the wife asked after we got back on the road if that boys momma knew he was out playing cop. Sorry but I teach HS and he did not look no where near 21. Disarming CC people on the side of the road ect is bad policy unless the CCW is angry , Drunk ect.

[gregthehand]

I got pulled over this last Saturday just outside Trinity coming from Huntsville. The speed drops to 55 mph coming into town and I didn't notice the sign so I was still doing 65ish mph. A DPS car whipped around on me and pulled me over. I went ahead and stopped into a gas station so we didn't have to sit on the side of the road with cars going by. The Trooper immediately asked me to step to the rear of the vehicle and I did so. Before I even showed him my CHL and all that he said why he stopped me and that I would be receiving a warning. After I he took my stuff he asked if I was carrying on my person which I was and where was it. I told him in my pocket (Kel-Tec PF9) and he had me put my hands in the air while he got it out. He unloaded it and handed me back my CHL, magazine, and one loose round. Something kid of funny; when he dropped the magazine out of my pistol he looked at the Speer Gold Dot and said "Hmm you mean business." I thought that was amusing.

Anyhow he came back with my warning and paperwork. Now he did mention why they were running CHL holder's weapons. He stated that they ran one every once in a while and it would come up as stolen. He said they had one last month that did so and the guy had bought it brand new from Carter's Country. Apparently a lot, as in a storage lot, had been broken into and "most" of the guns had been stolen but not all. Carter's Country just sent the loading manifest and the PD that handled the case marked everything on the manifest as stolen. So this guy had one of the guns that wasn't stolen but was mistakenly marked as such.

He asked if my wife had ammunition in the car (she didn't) and placed my pistol on the driver's seat. We then parted ways.

Overall the Trooper was extremely professional and courteous (I've never been treated any other way by DPS though). I think he realized I honestly didn't realize the speed limit dropped and cut me a break. I even told him flat out I must not have been paying attention. I think the stop went very well and I have to tell you I really don't care that he disarmed me. I wouldn't rate it as even a minor inconvenience and none of my guns are stolen. I know some will say a "right not exercised is soon lost" etc but I think picking your battles, not only which ones but when to fight them. I wasn't going to question this guy on the side of the road and no way in heck am I going to not put up my hands right after a peace officer tells me to do so.

On a side note we stopped at McKenzie's for lunch in Huntsville. I highly recommend it!

Oh one more thing. When we got home that afternoon the wife's brand new license was waiting in the mailbox for us. I wonder what I would have said had she been carrying when he asked "Does she have any ammunition in the vehicle?"

[lonewolf]

Probably something like this: "Several rounds. Some in the weapon, some in her pocket, some in her purse...........Ouch! Those cuffs are too tight!!!!"

[chartreuse]

Probably something like this: "Several rounds. Some in the weapon, some in her pocket, some in her purse...........Ouch! Those cuffs are too tight!!!!"

Ah, but so long as you thought to preface that with "of a different calibre" you might have been OK.