Police interaction

[free]

Cops are not your friends. Do not give them any information you do not have to. Do not allow searches.

This.

And, since your gun isn't pointed at them with your finger on the trigger, than it can't "hurt them". So, answer to that is "no". Remember, guns don't kill people - people kill people.

[bogey1]

It's legal to lie to them until it becomes an investigation. I'm generally an honest person but I have experienced first hand that they will lie to me so I have no problem lying to them. I'm not sure how I'd react if my gun was sitting out in the open and their reactions to finding out would be all over the spectrum. Overall, I feel it's best that they don't know.

You can lie to a cop but not a fed. Right?

[Walleye Hunter]

You can lie to a cop but not a fed. Right?

I do believe that you are right on that but I'm not positive.

[RockIsland]

You can lie to a cop but not a fed. Right?

Right. Unless you're a democrat. Most laws and international treaties don't apply to them.

[USMC3531]

I usually roll all 4 windows down when stopped (I have dark tint) if there are 2 cops one on each side of the car I inform them I'm carrying since my gun and wallet are on the same side (or if it's in the cup holder in plain view) so far never had a ticket , I once got a warning to remove all non factory lights but the Sgt said that trooper just had a hard on for search lights. Nobody has ever touched my gun at a traffic stop.

[TSimonetti]

I've had more than one police interactions in the past, and they've all ended peacefully. Do what you're told, don't get shot. It's a miracle, I know.

But there's one question that I've had with police more than once. "Do you have anything on your person or in your car that can hurt me?"

Generally speaking, I always want to cooperate with police during a traffic stop because 1.I am a lawful citizen and 2.My default position is to respect the police and help them do their job. But that sounds like a bullshit overly broad question that will serve to unnecessarily escalate the situation. Even if I don't have a gun in the car. I have a pencil and/or a pen, and I have car keys. I suppose either can do a lot of harm. What if I have a dog in the car? That dog might try to protect me from you if you get out of line officer, so yeah I do have stuff in my car that can hurt you. So what is the up side of answering "yes"? Well there is none. In addition me myself and I are in the car, and theoretically can hurt you, so there really is no way to say "no" and be truthful. And then if you do have a gun and tell them, and they ask to see your license to carry concealed, or ask you to hand over your gun, well there's yet another unnecessary escalation or two.

We live in a world now in which police should be looking for every reason to de-escalate situations and stops, not create more anxiety or shows of force and authority. Police also need to recognize that they signed up for this line of work and they knew it was a dangerous job, BUT their safety does not trump anything unless they have probable cause. A minor traffic violation without any other extenuating circumstances should never be probable cause to dig deeper into things. Ever. Tell me why you stopped me, and write the ticket and then be on your way officer.

[JaySmith]

Why do you have to answer yes? When it comes to your safety, officer Donut finger banging your firearms is not your friend.
If they have p.c. to search, they won*t ask permission.

Under the duty to inform laws, if they ask, you have to answer yes.

[RockIsland]

Under the duty to inform laws, if they ask, you have to answer yes.

Not in this state Fella.

[staylo]

Under the duty to inform laws, if they ask, you have to answer yes.

Does Pennsylvania have such a law?

[JaySmith]

Not in this state Fella.

https://www.usacarry.com/duty-to-inform-laws/

If asked, you must answer. Unless you know something different.