do I need to tell the cops?

[cznut]

If I ever do get pulled over do I need to tell the cops I am carrying? I have read posts going both ways.

[reels18]

I wouldn't unless they ask you to get out of the vehicle or want to search it

[27hand]

No. you do not have to tell officers that you are carrying. Check packing.org.

Two differing opinions on the matter:

When stopped, you don't blurt out "I'm carrying a gun". At some point in your conversation, you could tell the officer "Sir, I have a License to carry and am in fact carrying". They will know immediately what you are referring to and may ask where it is located and for your LTCF.

If you don't tell them and they see it when you are reaching for your paperwork, things could go downhill from there. "It is behind my right hip where my wallet with my paperwork is".


Others feel there is absolutely no reason to inform the officer that you are carrying and usually nothing will become of it unless you expose it while reaching for your wallet or registration.


Your choice,

27hand

[MarcS]

Originally Posted by cznut

If I ever do get pulled over do I need to tell the cops I am carrying? I have read posts going both ways.

Never tell the police you are carrying unless they've made it clear that they are going to search your person right this very instant. This very statement:

Originally Posted by 27hand

"Sir, I have a License to carry and am in fact carrying".

got one friend of mine friend held at gunpoint by Philadelphia PD. another friend of mine was physically assaulted by a state trooper for volunteering that information.

Make no mistake, cops today are trained to view the general public as the enemy. If you tell them you have a gun on you, even if you precede that statement with the fact that you have a carry permit, you will be treated like a criminal. You get one of those supercops out there and prepare to be violated.

[LBaker]

Originally Posted by MarcS

Make no mistake, cops today are trained to view the general public as the enemy. If you tell them you have a gun on you, even if you precede that statement with the fact that you have a carry permit, you will be treated like a criminal.

You can't really believe this can you? Just because you know someone who had a problem. I had a lady hit my truck a few weeks back. When the officer arrived I showed him my permit and his response was " By showing me this tells me I don't need to worry about you. Put it away."

[MarcS]

Originally Posted by LBaker

You can't really believe this can you? Just because you know someone who had a problem. I had a lady hit my truck a few weeks back. When the officer arrived I showed him my permit and his response was " By showing me this tells me I don't need to worry about you. Put it away."

I know multiple people who've had a problem, so, yes, I do believe it. While it may not be their training per se, too many of them seem to walk out of the academy with that particular notion. There's too many supercops out there to risk your safety by telling them you're armed. You may come across a good, reasonable cop, but chances are higher and higher you run into some squirrelly rookie or JBT nowadays. Keep your mouth shut.

[27hand]

Both times I informed the police I was carrying concealed because I wasn't 100% sure I was completely concealed.

City of Pittsburgh Police. I was treated professionally, was asked to keep my hands on the steering wheel while they checked my paperwork.

I don't always have a cover garment on and my pistol is almost completely hidden by the center console but when the second officer started flashlighting my interior, I thought he might see it so offered up before that happened.

He ran my paper, gave it back, told his partner everything was in order and asked me to get my expired registration taken care of. No ticket.

He thanked me for informing him.

Second time was a Fish and Game Commission officer citing me for setting up camp on a newly posted piece of ground I have camped on for 20 years. At that time I had on an OWB holster which I wasn't sure covered my gun. He didn't even want to see my LTCF but asked where I had it ( I was standing just outside his door with him seated).

We actually BS'd a bit about Glocks and I thought I had a chance to get away with a warning but he still cited me for$111. Very professional and thanked me for telling him. He called me about 4 Mo later to tell me the Corp of Eng put in a camping spot about 1/2 mile from where I got ticketed.

Most of the trainers I have had told me it has a lot to do with passing the "attitude test" upon initial conversation. Some of these guys were ex LEO and said they liked to know.

There you have it. MarcS' friends had bad experiences. Mine were fairly positive with no threats or abuse, verbal or physical.

Your decision.

27

[mauser]

My daughter was stopped a while back. When asked if they could search her car she said "yes". When they asked her to empty her pockets she volunteered that she had a small knife in her pocket. She instantly had 2 pistols pointed at her head.
I'll never volunteer any information like that. If they search me, they can find anything I have and I'll hope for the best.
(She didn't get the knife back).
I gave one to her, one to my wife and kept one for myself, that's how I can show you exactly what it was.

[MarcS]

I'll just repost this one from my buddy on another thread.

Originally Posted by fslflint

I was th one assaulted by the PSP. knowing what I know now I could have made his day allot worse. as it is I regret not bringing legal action against him.

DO NOT TELL A COP IF YOU ARE CARRYING LEGALLY!!! I was asked directly if there were any weapons in the car. I answered directly " I have a legally concealed firearm on my right hip". he them stepped back and unsnapped his sig and began shouting at me to put my hand on the wheel (where they already were). then he entered my vehicle illegally and confiscated my firearm (without asking if I had a backup or anyother weapons). then he goes back to his car and struggles to clear the weapon for a few minutes. calls in my info to check me out. when he finds out im legit he comes back and gives me shit for another 15 minute. when I give consent for him to search my car (figuring it'll be kinda fun to watch him dig through all baby clothes, diapers etc I have in the trunk for my little boy). he finnally tells me to step around the back of the car where he tells me that I don't really need it and that my "gun, clip and extra bullet" are on the front seat. I am free to go.... after almost 40 minutes

This cop literally whipped open his door, jumped across his passenger side and ripped the gun from his holster. You may have had good experiences in the past, but in the end you still got a ticket and all it takes is one prick like that to endanger you wellbeing, not to mention the inconvenience of being held for almost an hour.

And lets thank mauser for his example, now we know of 3 cases.

I'll say it again: KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT

[JustinM]

Originally Posted by 27hand

City of Pittsburgh Police. I was treated professionally, was asked to keep my hands on the steering wheel while they checked my paperwork.

Pitt PD held my uncle and his newlywed wife at gunpoint, in the rain while 3 more units arrived. All because he had a Sig 9mm on him, and an unloaded rifle in the trunk (in a case).

I've personally dealt with over 200 Pitt PD at my job, and I can tell you all but 2 that I met were assholes. I'm actually still friends with the one that was decent. The rest are power tripping chest beaters.