Police pull you over and ask if you have guns in the car, what can you answer?

pastera said:
In Mass there is little need for an officer to even ask the question especially if you are driving a car registered to yourself.
They already know if you have an LTC or not. They know of any guns you'vepurchasedin Mass. If you have an LTC the statistical chance of you doing something dumb with a firearm during the interaction is approaching zero. If you don't have an LTC there is a 100% chance you are going to lie if armed.
Click to expand...
So that's why they're always very nice and quickly let me go with a warning? [rofl]

Kidding, but for anyone who competes and/or collects- I wonder what cops are thinking if they see the list. I think the LTC pops up in your information, but I think they have to look to see your FA10 list.
 
Lying to cops is a crime, rarely enforced, but still - don't lie. If you want to avoid the question, you can refuse to answer it "I'm not answering questions, here is my license and registration" - that is legal.

Some states, Maine comes to mind for folks without their permit, require (I believe) *you* to actually inform them you are armed during a stop. I don't know the details here, ie if it's locked up in the trunk - does that count? But this would seem to violate the 5th for a prohibited person, yes? Pretty stupid, a law that only applies to legal gun owners.

In NH I've had a town cop ask if I had "weapons" during a routine stop. Is not uncommon. NH generally groups guns into "deadly weapons" so that's how it's usually asked here (same goes for prohibited persons too actually, if you can't own a gun you can't own a bow or sword here, same felony crime). I said "yes" and he didn't ask anything else, said "this will be quick", ran my license, asked me to slow down, and sent me on my way.

Add: I've also been pulled over with a pistol laying on the passenger seat. Cop didn't say anything, neither did I. Once I was pulled over with a pile of full rifle cases, cop nicely asked if I could step out of the vehicle just to make him feel safe while he ran my license - no problemo, and no ticket. I don't get pulled over much, but when I do I'm always armed I guess :)
 
Last edited:
M1911 said:
I've been driving since 1976. In that time, I've been stopped in the following states:
  • IL three times
  • NY once
  • NJ once
  • WV once
  • MA five times
  • KS once
The number of times I've been asked if there are firearms in the car: zero.
Click to expand...
That was before computers in cars ? And we’re all states EF-10 type states ?
 
71montess said:
That was before computers in cars ? And we’re all states EF-10 type states ?
Click to expand...
Do you really think cops asking about guns is limited to states where they have concealed carry permits? Do you really think cops are more worried when they know that they driver has a carry permit?
 
71montess said:
I would argue, in CCstates they know you are a gun owner and would ask more.
Click to expand...
I've been stopped in both kinds of states. Never been asked. The last 33 years I've lived in MA and have had an LTC for most of that time. Most (all?) of the times I've been stopped in MA the officers had MDT in their cars. They never asked.

I'm not saying it never happens, but I think it happens less than some people think.
 
Last edited:
not new guy said:
"Do you have firearms in the car?"
"Are you asking if I have more than one firearm in the car? No, I don't."
"Do you have any guns in the car?"
"Do I look like the kind of guy who would carry just any old gun?"
"Are you some kind of wiseass?"
"I think we've established that."
"Step out of the car."
"Wait, am I being detained? Am I free to go?"
[tazer sounds]
Click to expand...
DON'T TAZE ME BRO !!!
 
What about a pocket knife? If the law states you must disclose if asked about a firearm in the vehicle, does that also apply to any other type of weapon?
 
Once you start answering questions, it can be easier to slip up. If you don’t answer questions from the beginning, it can be more straightforward.

For example:

Question: Where are you going tonight?
Response: I’m going blah, blah, blah.

Question: Do you have any firearms in the vehicle?
Response: Well, umm... I’m not answering that.

By answering the first question, you made the refusal to answer the second one more noticeable.


The only time I’ve been asked, the officer inquired if I had any drugs or illegal weapons in the vehicle, even jokingly mentioning “rocket launchers.” Just typical fake, bs I am your buddy, cop banter.

My advice? Never answer questions. Just hand over your documents, take the ticket or warning, and move on. If you do get a ticket, appeal it multiple times.
 
Rockrivr1 said:
I made the mistake once of driving into Montreal and when asked why I was coming into Canada I said for work. You would have thought I'd screamed BOMB or something. I got the full "You're an Ahole" treatment. Was pulled over into the inspection zone, grilled for 30 minutes on what kind of "work" I was there for and why someone in Canada couldn't do the work themselves. They actually thought I was coming into Canada to steal a Canadians job. They take a VERY dim view on that. They finally let me go after I explained I was going to my own company that had a site in Montreal. They weren't happy though.
Click to expand...

I usually find the Montreal border agents to be much more chill and polite than the Ontario ones though I have only gone through Vermont a handful of times vs. the dozens of times I have gone through NY.
 
If you are going to travel while armed in another state it is your responsibility to understand the laws of that state.

whatluck said:
Depends on the state. I was asked once in MA, I assume because it comes up when they run your plates, and I told the truth. I have a pistol in my appendix and I'm gonna keep my hands on the wheel. Want my license? It's in my wallet in my front pocket, I'm gonna pull it out slowly with 2 fingers. Cop wasn't even worried, I wasn't stressed so he was fine.

You must disclose in KY if asked during a traffic stop. Some states you're required to disclose immediately without being adked. Although that would be a dick move to enforce IMO, not everyone's gonna know that stupid law.
Click to expand...
 
I read that book too. I followed the advice ever since I read it and have never got a citation.

garandman said:
Read a book years ago on avoiding tickets, written by a former NY Highwayman.

He suggested saying, “I must have done something to get your attention!” Which is unusual, funny, and non-incriminating.

Last time stopped, when asked the question, I replied “For driving like a bonehead?”

The cop burst out laughing. There is nothing explicitly illegal about “driving like a bonehead.”
Click to expand...
 
M1911 said:
Do you really think cops asking about guns is limited to states where they have concealed carry permits? Do you really think cops are more worried when they know that they driver has a carry permit?
Click to expand...
I believe you have a 50/50 chance of the encounter not going the way you think it would or should, in ASSachusetts, I don't want some paranoid anti civilian firearm ownership moron pointing a loaded gun at my head while sitting in my car. The more you talk, the more you will dig yourself into a hole. They are trained to trip you up and most do a good job at it if you let them. We have been given some great advice to follow by posters before me and their guidance should be adhered to.

Worse case scenario: After you are told to get out of the car, with the cop's gun still pointed at your head, you will be stripped of your firearm for "officer safety". Then you will be detained, more than likely cuffed, until all of the serial numbers of your firearms are run to verify they are not stolen. Next is more than likely a tongue lashing tirade and directives as if you are a child. Unless you have a dashcam, able to record with your cell phone, or get a true copy of the cops body cam, you will have no recourse in your rights being violated. What is only supposed to be a maximum 15 minute traffic violation encounter can turn into much more because you decided to be friendly, comply, and run your mouth! Thankfully, I have never been pulled over while carrying or having a trunk full of firearms and ammo with me for a range day like I did today.
 
M1911 said:
I've been driving since 1976. In that time, I've been stopped in the following states:
  • IL three times
  • NY once
  • NJ once
  • WV once
  • MA five times
  • KS once
The number of times I've been asked if there are firearms in the car: zero.
Click to expand...
12 times ??

giphy-1.gif
 
LTCRN said:
I believe you have a 50/50 chance of the encounter not going the way you think it would or should
Click to expand...
I’ve been stopped at least 5 times in MA. Four of those times I was carrying. All five times I was given warning and sent on my way.

How many times have you been stopped by the police? How many times did that stop go bad? By going bad I don’t mean you got a ticket, I mean the cop lost it, threatened you, proned you out, etc.
 
M1911 said:
I’ve been stopped at least 5 times in MA. Four of those times I was carrying. All five times I was given warning and sent on my way.

How many times have you been stopped by the police? How many times did that stop go bad? By going bad I don’t mean you got a ticket, I mean the cop lost it, threatened you, proned you out, etc.
Click to expand...
ZERO while carrying or having a trunk full of firearms!

The other times getting pulled over, no LTC, no firearms, just young and dumb, I was given a citation. I either had them taken care of or fought them and won, because I told a good story why I should not be held responsible. It's no secret that there are some departments in ASSachusetts that are anti when it comes to civilian firearms ownership. My previous Chief was a total jerk when it came to this. I would predict that he would be the type that would have no problem pointing a gun in your face if you disclosed that you had a firearm on your person or in your vehicle.

When I was younger, I'm guessing around 27, I got a face full of a Troopers saliva while he was screaming at me at the top of his lungs and threatening to give me, back then, a $100 invitation to Dedham District Court. I'm guessing the spit bath was a citation substitute as I was let on my way afterwards.
The other incident, which occurred even younger, had the shift Sgt. screaming, swearing, kicking things, and throwing things inside the station after I made him look incompetent in front of his staff of patrolmen. I didn't even have to try, he did it all by himself!
 
M1911 said:
In all five times I was stopped in MA, the officer or trooper was polite and professional.
Click to expand...

Troopers are usually cut & dry stops. Professional. Usually no stupid questions, prying, or "ideas", but they are gonna follow protocol.

It's the town cops, total crap shoot :) - those are the ones where a badged 23 year old might follow you for 3 miles with their head lights off, then ask you 18 pointed questions attempting to indicate you were drinking. Or they might watch you wiz by at 25 over the speed limit, ding the hood of the cruiser with a beer can, and go back to watching midget porn on their ipad.
 
Last edited:
I got pulled over by the NHSP for a headlight out.

He asked about guns.

"We are on our way back from from a shooting competition and we got LOTS of guns." :)

He ran my info and let me go with a warning.

At the next town I stopped and bought a new headlight and changed it - because back then it could be done with out the use of tools. :rolleyes:
 
CATI said:
Once you start answering questions, it can be easier to slip up. If you don’t answer questions from the beginning, it can be more straightforward.

For example:

Question: Where are you going tonight?
Response: I’m going blah, blah, blah.

Question: Do you have any firearms in the vehicle?
Response: Well, umm... I’m not answering that.

By answering the first question, you made the refusal to answer the second one more noticeable.


The only time I’ve been asked, the officer inquired if I had any drugs or illegal weapons in the vehicle, even jokingly mentioning “rocket launchers.” Just typical fake, bs I am your buddy, cop banter.

My advice? Never answer questions. Just hand over your documents, take the ticket or warning, and move on. If you do get a ticket, appeal it multiple times.
Click to expand...

I'm one of the first people who get fed up with a prying cop, and what you say is sorta true, but I got no issue in my home state divulging that I'm armed. Basically it's like asking if I got a prick.

Though you can certainly answer a question or two, then say "I'm sorry but this is very unusual, you are asking alot of questions for a stop due to a headlight out, I've done nothing wrong, but this feels like an investigation and I'm not answering any more questions".
 
teamRR said:
Troopers are usually cut & dry stops. Professional. Usually no stupid questions, prying, or "ideas", but they are gonna follow protocol.

It's the town cops, total crap shoot :) - those are the ones where a badged 23 year old might follow you for 3 miles with their head lights off, then ask you 18 pointed questions attempting to indicate you were drinking. Or they might watch you wiz by at 25 over the speed limit, ding the hood of the cruiser with a beer can, and go back to watching midget porn on their ipad.
Click to expand...
Of my four stops by town caps, two were in Wayland, one was in Watertown, and one was in Framingham. All were fine.
 
Stop me if I'm wrong, but...

If you are pulled over for speeding, busted tail light, or some sort of equivalent, the purpose of the stop is solely focused on the infraction...

"Do you know why I am pulling you over?"
"No, officer, I do not know why."
"Your tail light is busted."

The officer is permitted to ask for license, registration, proof of insurance (in some states), however if they start asking questions that are outside of the infraction discussed above (such as if you have any guns in the car), can't you simply ask if you are being detained, and if you are, request legal counsel before any questions are answered?
 
Back
Top Bottom