Every car I have ever pulled over, I was actively doing plain view searches for firearms (and other goodies)on the interior of the car and the occupants. It’s what cops do. We really hate surprises and since every traffic stop is an unknown risk encounter, it is a wise practice to notify the officer that you have a firearm in the vehicle and where it is.
I have had a few occasions to be pulled over by other law enforcement officers and this is my routine.
Always pull to the right side of the road and out of traffic. Turn on emergency flashers when you get lit up by the overheads to acknowledge to the officer that you see him and are complying. Roll your windows down, front and back if you have tint. Turn you dome light on if at night. DO NOT reach for ANYTHING. Say again, DO NOT reach for ANYTHING. Don’t even take your seatbelt off. Most of the illegal guns and dope I got from traffic stops where from people who started reaching around in the cab. Put your hands on the steering wheel. Let the officer speak first. When the officer is done speaking, let him or her know that you are armed, where your firearm is at, and ask for instructions. If he wants to secure the weapon somewhere, the trunk or something similiar, keep in mind that officer doesn’t know your intent and has to treat every contact as potentially very hostile. It’s a survival mechanism and it’s not going to change to soothe feelings.
None of this guarantees that officer will not issue a summons for whatever violation, but the odds are real good. Why? You will demonstrated to the officer that you are responsible gun owner, (Lord knows we see enough irresponsible ones), that you are genuinely interested in the traffic stop staying safe and peaceful, for yourself and the officer, and politeness goes a long way. Police officers see enough rude people. Personally, when I see these things done, I don’t write a thing except my racial profiling form. I thank the motorist for their cooperation and tell them to be safe, don’t forget their insurance card, get the equipment violation fixed asap, etc.
If you have passengers that are armed, advise the officer of this as well. Take some time to talk with your armed passengers to advise them that you will do the talking and whatever you are subject to, they are too. Don’t drive with people who are braver than you. If your friend starts running his mouth, tell him to STFU, you got it.
In Missouri, the CCP is noted on the license itself, not sure for other states.
Some places may do it different, but where I am from, I make it habit to ask if the operator has a firearm on or about their person or in the vehicle. If I see a gun on a person or inside the vehicle that has not been told to me about on a traffic stop, mine comes out of the holster, will be at the low ready and some very direct commands will be issued. About four of my friends will be coming as well. That person will be separated from their weapon, and probably handcuffed until I can determine what is going on. If everything is benign, the operator will have everything explained to them, by my supervisor who will also inform them how to get a complaint form if they so wish. FWIW, the complaints are always reviewed two command steps up and I have never had a sustained complaint about this procedure.
A traffic stop is not a citizen contact where citizen and officer are on equal legal footing, it is a detention.
Officers simply cannot afford to be lackadaisical about unknown citizens with firearms. We know that unknown citizens murder officers on traffic stops, one would be hard pressed to find one instance to find where a uniformed officer walked up to a motorist and absent any other provocation, shot the motorist upon contact.
Your reasoning is totally flawed and is indicative of the us vs. them attitude of too many police. I recall being stopped by a cop in Tulsa. We were only a few blocks from home and were returning from Sunday night church.
He claimed I had run the yellow light. It wasn’t even close. It turned yellow while I was in the middle of the intersection. I didn’t even see it turn tho my wife who is shorter just caught it.
He shined his flashlight all around the car and finally saw a Bible on the back seat. I think he sort of felt a bit guilty and told us to go on.
If the gun is in plain sight then it is OK to ask about it. If it is not then you have no business asking.
There are a lot of good cops, there are even some who are basically good but still abuse their authority. I know what I am talking about. There are also a huge number of bully boys who think a badge is just the ticket to exercise their “authority”.
And don’t give me this crap about how dangerous being a cop is. It is a fairly dangerous job but there are plenty which are more so. No one forces any cop to be one.
I am glad that I do not live in Missouri.
BTW, I seem to find your writings all over the net. Thanks for your service.
As a MO Resident:
Exactly why I roll my drivers window down a few inches, lock all doors and remain quite, hands on the wheel, dome light on at night, radio and engine off, flashers on. I do NOT want LEOs looking into my vehicle any more than casual passerby’s can do (the extent of you authority w/o permission or warrant or at worst, “probable casue”. If you ask me to leave my vehicle, I will comply, but will roll the window up and lock it as I exit-it ain’t personal, but it is my property, I will insure it is protected from unauthorized access-or search as the case may be. Get a warrant! (LEOs never “incriminate” folks, right?)
I comply with all intructions, if asked if I am carrying (per MO law) I advise, if not asked, I would not volunteer anything.
While I appreciate your situation as a cop, my rights to privacy, freedom from unreasonable search etc are inviolable.
As you mentioned, a traffic stop is a detention, not an arrest.
If you ask me if you can search, I will answer in a friendly but firmly “Not unless you have a warrant”-get one if you feel so motivated, I have time. If you decide my refusal equals probable cause, you’ll likley see a note from my attorney-however, I will not resist you, as laws allowing righteous defense against illegal action have been mostly done away with last century.
You are certainly correct-every traffic stop is an unknown risk and potentially dangerous/hostile encounter-to everyone involved. I trust God, all others are suspect. I do not know the officers intent either, however, I am innocent until proven guilty, officers are under greater scrutiny of performance; as it should be-you have a gun and a badge, and you work for the politicians, not me. (unfortunate but reality).
Don’t get me wrong, I work with LEOs, local, state, DOD/ Federal and even international, I understand, but as a citizen (not a “civilian”), I am your greatest responsibility.
I assume if I am driving a vehicle registered to myself, you know I have a CCW endorsement, but not whether I am carrying one-so YOU must ask, hey, you initiated the stop.
I am not required to answer any question that incriminates myself(and they all do, right?)-so if you ask if “do you have anything I should know about?” You are fishing; ask me if I have a concealed firearm, and I’ll answer as the law requires. If I have other arms in my vehicle not on my person, they are not included in the CCW aspect and are not of any interest.
All this is pretty moot to me personally, as I have not been nor intend to be stopped for any violations since 1991. I am, after all, a member of the most law-abiding population group in the US, well ahead of LEOs.
CCW Instructor, NRA Instructor, Army retired etc.
Native Born American Citizen, stakeholder in the USA and MO.
Molon Labe & Be safe!