FREE GUN FRIDAY! Enter to WIN THE ALL NEW SIG Sauer 322 and SilencerCo Sparrow(tm), 22 as well as the Caldwell E-Max Shadows Pro. Close [embedded material] As most of us know, rights come along with responsibility. The ability to self-govern, regardless of legal responsibilities, is crucial to a free society. The responsibility of carrying concealed firearms is also immense. We are responsible for our fellow citizens and law enforcement. What is the best way to respond if you are pulled over while concealed? Massad Ayoob provides some insight on the matter. RELATED STORY REAL TALK: Are your bumper stickers giving too much information to the world? How to Respond if you are pulled over for concealing your weapon. It depends on where you live, but if you’re carrying concealed, it can make things worse. It is important to know the best ways to deal with concealed carry during traffic stops. It should have been covered in your CPL/CCW course, but it is worth a refresher every now and again. 1. Notify the police It is important that you keep current with state and local laws regarding concealed carry. HandgunLaw.us keeps a current record of state laws and is in regular contact with the Attorneys General from each state. They will notify you about any changes in state law. Ayoob states that “some states require you to notify the police when you are carrying a firearm.” Michigan is one example. Texas. Texas is one of the few states that does not allow carry permits. However, the Department of Motor Vehicles issues the permits to the issuing authorities. Before they stop you, any competent police officer will run your license tag on the radio. They will be notified in the states where they are about to pull you over that the vehicle is registered to an individual who is licensed to carry.” It’s important to remember that most officers already know that you are carrying. Even if you are not required to notify police in certain states, they will consider it deception by omission. Despite the fact that you have not broken any law, they may not be as gentle with you. 2. Concealed Carry Permit. It is a good idea to have your CPL/CCW handy when you travel to avoid being distracted. You should also avoid confusion if crossing state lines, even if you do so accidentally. Ayoob continues to say, “I have made it a routine wherever I am to keep my driver’s license as well as the concealed carry permit right there.” I will also give the concealed carry permit to you when I hand over my driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance. It is a requirement to notify the officer in almost every jurisdiction, except in Michigan. To notify the officer, it is best to not use statements such as “I have a gun”. This would be considered a threat statement. 3. Handing over the Gun Although it is not common, you may be asked to take out the gun and give it to the officer. Is it a good idea? Ayoob said, “If they told me that, I would hold my hands on the steering wheel.” Here’s why. Even if the stop takes place at night, in a jurisdiction where police usually travel one to a vehicle, there is always the possibility of a Field Training Officer training a rookie. This means they will be going up to one car at a time, but they won’t come up shoulder-to-shoulder. One will approach from the driver’s side and the other from the passenger side. Now, you’re standing at the side of traffic and you are familiar with road traffic, especially on busy streets. You can hear the officer because you have rolled down your windows, and he is sitting right here. He hears you saying, “I have a license for carry.” You hear him say, “Take it out and give it to me.” Which I would tell any officer is a stupid thing to do. “You can see the young rookie officer, who cannot hear the conversation from the other side of your car. He only knows that your hand is moving in this direction [reaches for the gun]. He sees you as attempting to draw a gun against his alpha, Field Training Officer, and he’s going put a bullet behind you ear.” This could be his rookie or passersby. You don’t want it looking like you’re pulling a gun upon a cop. Tell them what to do and where it is, then let them take it. 4. Verbal Notification It is not a good idea to say “I have a gun” as that could lead to a lot of problems. Instead, you can try “I am licensed to carry, I have it on, tell us what you want.” Many law enforcement firearms training programs use the command “GUN!” to draw and fire. It is important to use the term “license”. It clearly states that the license holder is a law-abiding citizen who has been checked by the criminal justice system. You are therefore approved to possess a firearm. 5. Night-Time Tips: If you have to stop at night, make sure your interior lights are on. This will illuminate the interior of your vehicle and let the officer know you have nothing to hide. Also, turn off your engine. This indicates that you will not flee or use your vehicle to injure an officer. It also prevents accidents when the vehicle is inadvertently placed in reverse, instead of park, because of nerves or stress. 6. Attitude Test During a traffic stop, it is common for officers to ask “do you understand why I stopped you?” This is not a question, it is an attitude test. If you’re cocky, smarmy or indecisive, “if you don’t know then why did I stop you?” Duh, you fail the test. It is a habit to glance at our speedometer whenever we see the lights. We know why we are being stopped. Ayoob suggests that you answer the litmus test question with a refreshing honesty. They will often be so impressed by your honesty that they will issue you a verbal warning. 7. Left-Handed You should let the officer know that you are licensed and what you are carrying. In this instance, you should let the officer know that the firearm is on your left hip. It is a good idea not to make the firearm visible when you reach for your wallet. 8. Unbuckling the Seatbelt. If you have a reason to unbuckle your belt and your pistol is on the right, inform the officer. An officer may be sitting on the passenger side. It could become a dangerous situation if the officer sees you reaching for the gun. Notify the officer that your license is current and that you have it with you. However, you must unbuckle your seatbelt. Let them know that you only need a few fingers to push the button. Then proceed slowly and carefully. 9. The Glovebox Keep your firearm and any important vehicle operation documents separated if possible. It is not what you want to make your firearm look like you are carrying a gun. It might be the last thing that you do. 10. Avoid Misunderstandings Interactions with law enforcement can go wrong, especially if there is a misinterpretation. Ayoob advises that you don’t be the one who causes the misunderstanding. Only a handful of misunderstandings result from millions of police contact each year. Each one is tragic, and we all want to avoid them. Try to imagine yourself as the officer who stops you. Treat them as you would want to be treated. Or, how you would want your son or daugther to be treated if law enforcement were their chosen profession. Keep it real and you’ll be safe. Sign up for the Personal Defense World newsletter today to stay in the loop! Sign up for our newsletter I have read and understood the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy and I hereby accept them. Athlon may collect, store, process, and transfer my Personal Data and Non Personal Data for the purpose of signing me up for the email newsletter. The Next High Tech Harassment is Women Being Stalked Using Apple AirTags. As technology advances, so do criminals. The latest trend sees women being… by Joshua Swanagon / April 15, 2022 WATCH ReloZone: Season 2 Trending8 Tips & Tricks for Trap & Skeet ShootingThe Galco Change Carrier Keeps your Change and Self-Defense HandyHow To Adjust and Zero in Your Rifle’s Iron Sights For Improved Accuracy. Real Talk: There are no longer any firearms that you would love to own. There are firearms that can shoot around corners, of course. They couldn’t have reached this level of greatness without their predecessors. Every gun in history laid the foundation for the extraordinary guns we now enjoy […]
Real Talk: Firearms are no longer in production that you would love to own
Nighthawk Custom Releases Prohibition 1911 With Amazing Detail
CAA to Release Gen 3 MCK Conversion Kit for Glock Models
SK Customs Auctions #001 in Its Commemorative The Emperor 1911
Top 10 Pistol Caliber Carbines 2022: Finding The Best PCC
The Girsan MC312 Tactical Shotgun provides rapid quad-loading
Add a Pocket Pistol & Laser Combo To Your Gun Collection
Cimarron Firearms 1911: One Ranger Pays Tribute to the Texas Rangers
Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous – Top CCW Pistols for 2021
The Wilson Combat SFX9 5 Inch is a performance-driven 1911 Addition Athlon Outdoors Network. Life Hunter Biden will open a gun store: FAKE-tical News Ballistic Magazine Get Hunt ready with Remington Premier TSS, Magnum Turkey Loads Skillset Magazine. How to train for a marathon: If Forrest Gump can… Ballistic Magazine 6 Trick Tactical Roles-Assisting Rifles
