Proper etiquette

[gus]

How do you handle yourself when dealing with our local PD, Sheriffs, DPS? I am speaking of traffic stops or any other situation. Today is day #1 for me and I have a ton of questions and thoughts.

[The Annoyed Man]

I would answer, be exactly as you should always be - courteous and compliant. Be sure to show your CHL to an officer when asked for ID, even if you're not carrying. The law doesn't require that, but that little bit of courtesy can go a long way toward defusing the situation.

[seamusTX]

Never say, "I have a gun," or anything that could be construed as a threat. That phrase is a hot button for many officers (with good reason).

Let the officer ask you if he needs to know.

- Jim

[Crossfire]

How do you handle yourself when dealing with our local PD, Sheriffs, DPS? I am speaking of traffic stops or any other situation. Today is day #1 for me and I have a ton of questions and thoughts.

Have you already taken your CHL class? Not only should this have been covered in your class, but it is also a test question.

[gus]

Yes, I have taken the class and scored a grade of 100 on it. As stated in my original post, yesterday was day #1 for me. Just trying to engage in discussion on the matter. Thank you for your advice.

[Armed-Texan]

before i got my CHL, if i was stopped by a LEO in my truck, roll all the windows down, turn on the light(if at night), turn truck off, keep my hands on top of the steering wheel and not move until the officer reached my window. then when he/she asked for license and insurance i would tell them where it was in my truck and that i was going to reach for it. they usually say thank you or thats fine sir, or something like that. i plan to do the same thing next time i get stopped but before i move i will add in the sir/ma'am i am a chl holder and.........

i do this so they know they are leading the way on the stop, and i intend to comply with everything they say. i don't want to get hurt for no reason and i don't want their blood pressure up. they have enough stress from jerks anyway so i figure being polite and taking any ticket is a plus for them. besides, the nicer you are the more likely they are to give you a warning. i was stopped on my way to buy my AR-15 for speeding. i didn't have my insurance card, i had been getting quotes and left it in the house. the sergeant who stopped me was so nice and she gave me a warning for speeding and said she believed me that i had insurance. so attitude goes a long way...

[03Lightningrocks]

before i got my CHL, if i was stopped by a LEO in my truck, roll all the windows down, turn on the light(if at night), turn truck off, keep my hands on top of the steering wheel and not move until the officer reached my window. then when he/she asked for license and insurance i would tell them where it was in my truck and that i was going to reach for it. they usually say thank you or thats fine sir, or something like that. i plan to do the same thing next time i get stopped but before i move i will add in the sir/ma'am i am a chl holder and.........

i do this so they know they are leading the way on the stop, and i intend to comply with everything they say. i don't want to get hurt for no reason and i don't want their blood pressure up. they have enough stress from jerks anyway so i figure being polite and taking any ticket is a plus for them. besides, the nicer you are the more likely they are to give you a warning. i was stopped on my way to buy my AR-15 for speeding. i didn't have my insurance card, i had been getting quotes and left it in the house. the sergeant who stopped me was so nice and she gave me a warning for speeding and said she believed me that i had insurance. so attitude goes a long way...

I do pretty much the same thing, but a couple years back I made an officer real jumpy by reaching in the glove box for my insurance card. I had told him where it was and he still didn't seem comfortable with my reaching in the glove box. Now I keep my insurance card and registration papers in a clip on the sun visor. There may not be any need in doing it this way, but I feel for them having to pull over strangers in the middle of the night. Day in and day out, they never know what kind of person they are having to deal with. Anything I can do to keep from making them nervous works for me.

[Texian]

Now I keep my insurance card and registration papers in a clip on the sun visor.

This begs the questions: Do Texas drivers now have to show registration papers for non-commercial vehicles? Do you have to comply with other states laws when traveling and show registration papers?

I have been stopped a few time in other states but was never asked to show registration.

[03Lightningrocks]

Now I keep my insurance card and registration papers in a clip on the sun visor.

This begs the questions: Do Texas drivers now have to show registration papers for non-commercial vehicles? Do you have to comply with other states laws when traveling and show registration papers?

I have been stopped a few time in other states but was never asked to show registration.

My truck is registered and insured through the company I own. Sometimes they ask for it...sometimes they don't. I don't make a habit of getting pulled over, but I have been ask for registration papers in the Northeastern part of the States more than the South. Jersey asked for it. PA ask me for it and I was not even pulled over by the Police. I had pulled off an exit ramp and was getting some sleep. They stopped to make sure I was alive in there after seeing my truck sit for almost 5 hours...LOL. Here in Texas, I have been asked for the registration papers as proof the vehicle is listed in my company name. I never could figure out why that mattered. I assumed it had to do with the insurance card being in the company name.

I almost forgot...Virginia asked for it to. They pulled me over because they thought I had a radar detector. My cell phone was laying on the dash and they saw the light from it. They are pretty serious about the radar detector ban in Virginia.. .

[TDDude]

Now I keep my insurance card and registration papers in a clip on the sun visor.

This begs the questions: Do Texas drivers now have to show registration papers for non-commercial vehicles? Do you have to comply with other states laws when traveling and show registration papers?

I have been stopped a few time in other states but was never asked to show registration.

Is "registration papers" the car's title or proof that your tags are up to date?

I don't see why an officer would want to see the title since they would have instant access to the state database. The officer probably knows who owns the car before he gets out. The only catch is if the car was recently purchased.

If the registration means the tags being current, the sticker on the windshield would prove current tags.

Having insurance makes both issues mute. If a person is going to spend the money on insuring himself and a specific car, who cares who owns it as long as it hasn't been stolen?

And wouldn't that make for a conscientious crook? Buying insurance on the stolen car. I'm so funny.

Hey, I just realized I'm hijacking this thread so I'll do a quick edit.

When you hand over your plastic, make sure the CHL is on top and say "I have my pistol with me".

Don't say, "I'm armed" or "I'm packing" or "I've got a gun" or "My pistol is bigger than yours".

I believe we are required to let them know when we are armed so saying it that way seems to be as non-threatening as I can be.

[boomerang]

I think 99% of traffic stop etiquette is the same after you get your CHL as it was before you applied and started your long wait.

The only difference is armed licensees are required to show the LEO our DL and our CHL when asked for ID.

[WildBill]

I think 99% of traffic stop etiquette is the same after you get your CHL as it was before you applied and started your long wait.

The only difference is armed licensees are required to show the LEO our DL and our CHL when asked for ID.

[WildBill]

When you hand over your plastic, make sure the CHL is on top and say "I have my pistol with me". I believe we are required to let them know when we are armed so saying it that way seems to be as non-threatening as I can be.

I disagree. I believe that you should wait until the LEO asks if you are armed.

[Liko81]

Is "registration papers" the car's title or proof that your tags are up to date?

I don't see why an officer would want to see the title since they would have instant access to the state database. The officer probably knows who owns the car before he gets out. The only catch is if the car was recently purchased.

If the registration means the tags being current, the sticker on the windshield would prove current tags.

Having insurance makes both issues mute. If a person is going to spend the money on insuring himself and a specific car, who cares who owns it as long as it hasn't been stolen?

You are required to keep and show current:
* registration (for in-state vehicles it's just the sticker, however it's a good idea to keep the rest of the sheet that had the sticker on it handy)
* inspection (again, the window sticker is proof enough in-state)
* insurance (the little card or, in my case, 8.5x11" sheet of paper with your policy, insured drivers and covered vehicles showing you would be covered driving the car you're in)

Out of state, fleet and commercial vehicles often do not have any windshield stickers, so some other form of proof of registration is needed. Nine times out of ten a Texas resident will have no issues out-of-state; the officer will look at the sticker and say OK, you're current.

[03Lightningrocks]

You are required to keep and show current:
* ................. however it's a good idea to keep the rest of the sheet that had the sticker on it handy)

That is what I always show them when I am asked for my registration.