Thoughts about LEO incident with CC?

[tacticalreload]

I was wonder what people thought of what happened to me a few years back. I was pulled over by township police for a headlight problem on my car. The cop asked for my license, reg, and insurance card. I handed over my license but told him that before I reached to get my cards out of my glove box that I wanted him to know that I had a legally carried Beretta .25 in there. He told me to get out of the car and hand over my LTCF. I did so. He told me to stand outside the car and wait. I did so. About 5 minutes later, 2 more cruisers with 3 more cops showed up. At this point, the original cop tells me that he wants to pat me down for his safety to make sure I don't have any other weapons on me.

Now there are 3 cruisers all with lights going and 4 cops standing around and I have my hands on the hood of my car while being frisked. Needless to say, it was embarrassing and quite a slow, long line of traffic was forming. One of the other cops goes into my car, opens my glove box, takes out my little Beretta and goes back to his car with it. Then they tell me to go into the glove box and get my papers. I did so.

At this point, they tell me to get back into the car and move it off to a side street because we were creating a traffic jam with all the gawkers. I moved it. After about 30 minutes, they came back to me with my license, permit, registration, insurance card, and my gun. The gun was in pieces... the slide was off, the mag was out and empty, and the rounds were all handed to me separately. They ended up giving my a warning that I needed to fix my headlight and return to the station within 3 days to avoid a ticket. I "thanked" them and went on my way.

At the time, I was annoyed that I was humiliated and made about 45 minutes late for work. Beyond that, I just let it go and chalked it up to LEO paranoia. One thing I learned is that I should never carry my firearm with my registration and insurance card.

Ironically, I got pulled over about 2 weeks later for 77 mph in a 65 mph zone on the NE extension of the turnpike by the PSP right near the pocono exit. I was traveling up to a friend's land in NEPA to do some shooting so I was carrying quite a few firearms (2 rifles, a shotgun, and 4 handguns). Based on what happened earlier that month, I was prepared for a fiasco. The trooper saw the gun cases and asked about them. I told him that I had 7 firearms in the car and that some of them were loaded. He asked if I had a permit. I said yes. I gave my LTCF to him along with my other papers. He said thanks, went back to his car, came back in 10 minutes, and gave me a ticket for speeding. No other mention of the firearms.

I ended up going to court for the ticket. When I arrived, the cop said, "I remember you. You're the guy with all the guns, right?". I said yes. He said, "If you plead guilty to 5 over, we'll reduce for fine, remove the points, and call it a day." I agreed, we talked to the magistrate, and I left.

[gnbrotz]

Your first incident is a great example of why I don't keep firearms or my LTCF anywhere near the documents I would need for a traffic stop.

[knighthawk06699]

If my gun is in the car it is on my hip!! It is the only place that I like to have it.

[gf45acp]

When in my car any loaded guns are also on my person. I plan to buy 3 of those document holders for the visors next time I am in an auto parts store so the no compartments need to be opened for any documents.
I can't help but wonder if one of the cops in the first incident knew how to take the .25 apart, or just ended up doing it by accident trying to unload the gun (not that he should have done that either).

[SFMarine]

Originally Posted by knighthawk06699

If my gun is in the car it is on my hip!! It is the only place that I like to have it.

Damn straight!

[andrewjs18]

I've only been pulled over 1X in my entire driving stent so far....and it wasn't even my fault..I was test driving a car and the guy who was with me for the ride told me to turn down a 1-way street (I wasn't from around the area) that had 3 cops a few blocks away from where I turned.....basically, the cop made me look like an asshole by screaming shit in his damn megaphone so I feel ya on the embarrassing part.

[pahandgunner]

I usually keep my gun in a convenient location (not on me) away from my paperwork. The reason being, if I am ever pulled over and I'm asked to exit the vehicle they aren't going to get my gun. As soon as I step out, the doors will be locked with my gun inside.
What's the advantage in keeping it on you?

[scoutjoe]

Well....


Just today I got pulled over (less than a block from my mom's place ) because I don't have and updated registration sticker. Pull over, turn car off, wait with hands on steering wheel. Officer explains why I'm getting pulled over and what he needs from me. Once he is done I inform him of my LTCF and that I am carrying. He asks where it is on me and then thanks me for letting him know.


Course he still gave me the fine for not having the sticker (I think it fell off) I'm registered I mean I have the card and all...needless to say I'm not a happy camper about that.

[B.L. Hall]

In NY you MUST inform the LE when pulled over… you mean you don’t have to in Pa?

[mjfletcher]

Originally Posted by scoutjoe

Well....


Just today I got pulled over (less than a block from my mom's place ) because I don't have and updated registration sticker. Pull over, turn car off, wait with hands on steering wheel. Officer explains why I'm getting pulled over and what he needs from me. Once he is done I inform him of my LTCF and that I am carrying. He asks where it is on me and then thanks me for letting him know.


Course he still gave me the fine for not having the sticker (I think it fell off) I'm registered I mean I have the card and all...needless to say I'm not a happy camper about that.

You can fight that one. As long as the registration is valid, a sticker (or lack of) means nothing. Someone might have ripped it off to play a prank, or to try to stick it on their car, or whatever. Fight the ticket, unless the district justice/magistrate/judge is a total dick you'll win.