I was disarmed by a police officer

[all4fun257]

To the original post.. I almost expect to be disarmed if I tell the LEO I'm armed. I'm young(21), I drive a kids car(A4), and I wear baggy cloths. I don't think it's right but in my little town most LEO are on major power trips and I don't think many people carry. So it's not in my best intrest to inform them unless I'm asked.

Steve in PA two questions for you... Do you want to be told, or out of site out of mind? And when you run a plate or DL# do you know if they have a permet to carry?

[Steve in PA]

1) As with most LEO's, I think we appreciate the fact that you tell us. Usually, in the back of the LEO's mind, the officer will think........ok, this guy "should" be a good guy since he voluntarily offered this information. However, just because someone has a CCW, doesn't mean they can't or won't stick a gun in the officers face and pull the trigger.

Traffic stops are the most dangerous type of incident an officer can be involved in, with domestics being the next biggest problem. During any week I can read of dozens of officers either shot or killed during traffic stops. There are tons of videos out there from the officers cars showing the LEO walking up to the vehicle, then being shot.

If you have time, read this article (its in .pdf) http://www.forcescience.org/articles/shotinback.pdf and you'll see just how fast things can go wrong.

2) No, nothing automatically shows up if I your your DL or registration. A seperate inquiry is needed to be run in order to find out that information.

[all4fun257]

Steve in pa thanks for your response and the link. Good read.. Scary for you.. I now understand why they're so nerves when they walk up to my car. If I get stopped I'll hand them my carry permit with my DL and inform them I'm armed. If they disarmed me I'll comply without any problems. But because I'm a 'punk kid' after I sign my ticket, I'll tell them how I feel about handing a person I don't know my loaded firearm that they don’t know. Not out of spite but maybe next time they'll think about how it would feel if they in my shoes. Not all LEO know guns as well as you. The one officer I talked to said she never fired any other weapon then the ones they are issued. It would be scary for me to hand my weapon to someone like that when I know there is one sitting in the pipe. Thanks again for the info.

[farmplinker]

Originally Posted by Steve in PA

1) Usually, in the back of the LEO's mind, the officer will think........ok, this guy "should" be a good guy since he voluntarily offered this information. However, just because someone has a CCW, doesn't mean they can't or won't stick a gun in the officers face and pull the trigger.

There's no iron-clad guarantee, of course. But has it actually happened? Has anyone with a carry permit shot a police officer during a traffic stop? I would be surprised if it has.

I don't envy cops doing traffic stops, but I still think it's safer for all involved to just leave a gun in the holster or glove box.