Traffic stop, but don’t want passenger to know you carry?

[chewy555]

I have thought about this as well. I think that what I might do is make some kind of note that I could keep with my CHL to hand to the officer when I hand everything over. On the note I would put something that just asked that if he or she had any questions about the CHL or weapon that they first ask me to exit the vehicle and move to the back of the vehicle to talk. As I dont want others in my vehicle to know about the weapon. I think that most police officers would be ok with that, at least I hope that they would. Now, the next problem with this, is what do you say to the others in the vheicle when you get back in. I guess that you could just say it was something about the LP of your vehicle that they wanted to point out. But at least the weapon is not talked about in front of them. This is just something that I might do later, because as of right now the only people that ride with me know that I carry.

[CJATE]

thanks, I am not worried about a jerk Cop, as there is nothing I can do about that, and I have yet to have a negative encounter (4, not all traffic stops)


I typed up a short note, business card size little laminator; I'll stick it with my id(s)

Officer, I am CHL and carrying a firearm 3'olock IWB
I prefer my Passenger/co-worker/client
not know my carry status.
Your discretion is appreciated

how would you like to proceed?

My name, (i signed it as well)

[chewy555]

thanks, I am not worried about a jerk Cop, as there is nothing I can do about that, and I have yet to have a negative encounter (4, not all traffic stops)


I typed up a short note, business card size little laminator; I'll stick it with my id(s)

Officer, I am CHL and carrying a firearm 3'olock IWB
I prefer my Passenger/co-worker/client
not know my carry status.
Your discretion is appreciated

how would you like to proceed?

My name, (i signed it as well)

I think that should work out ok. But the best is to not have to use it.

[SlowDave]

I can only add that I have been pulled over 3 times since getting my CHL. All 3 times, the exchange was nearly identical (one even out-of-state):
"Are you carrying today?"
"Yes sir."
"Where is it?"
"In the ______."
"Okay, just stay away from the _____."

One of these instances was with co-workers in the vehicle. We were going to an out-of-town personal event and they had no idea I carried and I was outted. They were okay with it and we had good discussion since, and at least one of them has gotten their CHL since. I didn't expect much outrage, just in general don't tell people about my carry habits unless there is a need to.

My $.02: they are usually going to ask these questions and you will very likely be outted. I think the written note (or preferably license-sized card) is the best chance for keeping it quiet, but you're still depending on a helpful LEO. Good thing: many of them are helpful.

[CHLSteve]

I've been pulled over once since I got my CHL. The officer immediately asked if I had a gun when he saw my CHL. Once I told him that I did not, he had no interest in the CHL. I can only assume that if I had passengers with me, he would have asked the same question point blank--do you have a gun? And I would have to answer yes or no.

So... I would say don't ride with people you cannot afford to be "outed" with. Make up an excuse to take 2 cars to lunch like, "I've got to run a quick errand after lunch" or, have them drive. Worst case scenario, disarm yourself, and when a LEO asks you if you are carrying a gun, you can plainly answer "No."

[CompVest]

+1

[killerfly128]

OK I asked my neighbor about this, the guy works for arlington PD.

His first soultion was to hand him your DL, Insurance, and CHL with the chl on top. As the cop looks at the chl just say "its in my _o' clock" or wherever you may have it.

Second solution is Hand him your DL, Insurance, CHL with the CHL on the bottom with a post it on the back not the front. Cop will feel the note and look at it, if he dosent feel it when he looks at the CHL ask hi to flip it over. Just write "I am carrying a pistol, I would appreciate it if you could not mention "gun" around my passengers. Thank You"

He said DO NOT get out of the car. Do Not put the note on the front of any ID and do not motion to where it is.


Hope that helps.

-Patrick

[bdickens]

How about being more discreet in your driving so you don't get pulled over in the first place? Just a thought.

[txflyer]

There are many circumstances under which you could be pulled or requested by an officer to see ID in a driving scenario where you might have passengers.

Two that come to mind that I have been personally involved in:

1. Witness to an accident and the officer asked me for ID. If I had a CHL at the time I would been required to show the officer both DL and CHL.
2. Pulled for tail light being out. I thanked the officer, but he still wanted to see license/insurance. He then sent me on my way requesting I use my hazards till I get home. Fixed the busted switch the next morning. Cheap Nissan junk switch. Had to replace that stupid thing 3 times in the 5 years I owned the truck. But I digress.

Conclusion: The question is legitimate even for non-speeders.

[killerfly128]

How about being more discreet in your driving so you don't get pulled over in the first place? Just a thought.

Well that would be best, but sometimes its out of the drivers control. Last time i was pulled over was for a plate light out. I told the officer that it goes out randomly and i have to tap it to get it back on. He asked me to fix it so i got out and tapped it. Light came on and off i went with out a ticket. But i still had to show him my chl.

[DoubleJ]

You could ask him to keep the CHL on the DL.

[txflyer]

You could ask him to keep the CHL on the DL.

Not bad. Took me a second to get it.

[rider]

The question is, are you required to verbally tell the officer or just hand them your CHL and DL.

Just have to hand the CHL over if you're armed. The LEO teaching my class said most officers assume you're carrying at that point and saying so could almost be taken as boasting.

Also, he recommends handing the CHL over if you're not armed simply because when they run you, they could see it, and if they don't know the law exactly, may give you a hard time about not showing initially.

[rm9792]

How about being more discreet in your driving so you don't get pulled over in the first place? Just a thought.

Because many times you get pulled over for no reason (realistically, not in reality). Cops make up stuff to pull you over to check things out. Also, no one can drive in the Houston Metro area without breaking a law, they have made it impossible. Example: At Cullen and Yellowstone the lane splits less than 80 feet from the intersection. I was stopped for changing lanes less than 100' from intersection. It impossible to do otherwise. No ticket of course, officer wanted to see why I was in that part of town and that was his "probable cause". I have also heard "we are looking for a car like this".

[bdickens]

Y'all know what I mean. I'm not pretending that I never bend the laws of the road either.