I have noticed that I get pulled over less these days. I used to get pulled over a lot more when I had a Glock sticker on my car, but then again I was also much younger and drove more stupidly...
If you enjoy the forum please consider supporting it by signing up for a NES Membership The benefits pay for the membership many times over.
You're new here, so you wouldn't know that for some reason this is a hot button topic. Many threads asking this question get locked pretty quick. As the above answer implies, there is no "best" answer so some people go off the rails trying to convince others that their's is the best.
BTW, welcome to NES!
I just edited that post for clarity. I was quoting you to show the OP the best answer he's likely to get.I am?! Did you mean to quote the OP?
I just edited that post for clarity. I was quoting you to show the OP the best answer he's likely to get.
McAfee, of McAfee virus scan fame, just lost his dog in Belize.Remember that. It may save your dog someday.
The first thing I did when my kid got his license was to play 'traffic stop'. I told him the routine, flashing lights and dome light on, window open 1 inch, hands high on the steering wheel. Yes sir, no sir, keep your damn mouth shut, and no you can't search my car without a warrant. Ask before going to open the glove box for registration and keep your cool at all costs.
Teach your kids the drill, cops love to screw with teenage kids.
Why window open 1 inch?
Why window open 1 inch?
Teenage daughter gets pulled over for speeding by local police, cries when officer approaches and let off with verbal warning
Teenage son gets pulled over for speeding and get hassled, asked to let search car, questioned and threatened with arrest and towing of the car.
Life in small town America
Even after reading all these posts mostly all saying the same thing, I still ask myself...whats the harm in just passing my LTC with my drivers license as a way of saying, I'm carrying, I'm doing so legally and although I am not required to present you with this info I am doing so because I feel it is better that if you do run across my legal carry it is better for it to happen on my terms.
Of course I would follow all the normal guidelines I would during a traffic stop to keep all involved as comfortable as possible ( hands in plain view, keys out if ignition, polite etc... )
If I have nothing to fear, whats the harm ? I know I may get hammered from the more seasoned on here for this way of thinking.
Got pulled over last week for doing 66 in a 65 on 495. (I did pass the COP, he was in middle lane, set my cruise control to 66 and went by him)First question he asked was 'any guns in the car?' Second question was 'why are you wearing a Yenkees hat in Mass?' I am pretty sure that was why I got pulled over!
Bottom line, concealed means concealed and you have no duty to announce your carry. But if the officer finds out for some reason, it may not go well from there.
There is no correct answer to this question.
In my opinion is that the person who tells me they're carrying isn't the one I'm concerned about. It's generally the gang member or drug dealer who has no idea what an LTC is that concerns me.
Remember, people love to generalize and assume what the preferences of the police may be in certain situations because it will make life easier. In reality, if you ask five different cops their preference as to an armed operator announcing their carry, you'll get five different answers.
Bottom line, concealed means concealed and you have no duty to announce your carry. But if the officer finds out for some reason, it may not go well from there.
And exactly why is that? If you are not doing anything illegal, there is no reason for anything not to go well.
And exactly why is that? If you are not doing anything illegal, there is no reason for anything not to go well.
And exactly why is that? If you are not doing anything illegal, there is no reason for anything not to go well.
I think what Obie is sayin is that if you go to get your wallet out of your back pocket for your license and the officer identifies a gun coming from under your shirt as you lean, there is certainly going to be an OHH SHIT moment going through the head of the officer and how he reacts will certainly depend on the officer. That is what "Concealed means concealed" means... if you get made in certain situations it can get ugly quick even if you're 100% legal.
All that being said... I'm not informing the officer unless asked specifically or asked to step out of the vehicle. Once you're out of the car the likely hood of a patdown is increasing and I'd rather let him know while seated and my hands on the wheel than get dropped onto the ground or slammed into a car.
If there is an Oh Shit going through their head, then some re-training is in order. The mere presence of a gun does not a panic make. There is no reason to announce anything (unless required by law).
People just have to lean how to shut the F up.
My father retired from the state police. He always said to keep your mouth shut and say nothing that did't pertain to the matter at hand. Words to live by.
While an officer overreaction/reacting inappropriately calls for re-training I'm fairly certain that while i'm curled up in a ball getting beat (or worse) by a cop and his buddies the last thing I am thinking is "I sure hope this fellow gets some re-training".
This is good advice in most instances. Personally If i think there is even the slightest chance of an officer catching a glimpse of a gun on my person I'm probably going to let him know I am licensed to carry and am currently doing so, before getting to that point. Cops have been known to overreact to such things in a bad way, and it has happened on more than one occasion.
It happened fairly recently in Minneapolis, the guy (Zachary King) was legally carrying and had the ever loving tar beat out of him by 5 cops, all because a one of them noticed him carrying.
~SW
IBTL!
- - - Updated - - -
(You have no duty to inform - whether you do or not is a matter of personal preference)