Traffic stop

[Hot Dawg]

I was talking to a gun store owner & was discussing current events & told him during my chl class that the instructor told us when we were pulled over to roll down window, get id & insurance ready & keep hands on the wheel that not to mention that you were carrying unless asked, the store owner said all of the above plus tell him you are carrying & where your weapon is located. What is the best way when pulled over?

[Surgeon]

I was talking to a gun store owner & was discussing current events & told him during my chl class that the instructor told us when we were pulled over to roll down window, get id & insurance ready & keep hands on the wheel that not to mention that you were carrying unless asked, the store owner said all of the above plus tell him you are carrying & where your weapon is located. What is the best way when pulled over?

I've heard to "tell him" and include your Carry license with the other one. Let him ask you where it is. Tell him...don't point or move toward it. And let him know, he's in complete control of the situation. Yes sir officer. Whatever you say officer. Also if it happens at night....turn on your dome light and light up the cab and leave the radio off.

[DevilDawg]

My opinion on the subject is this:
1. Have both ID's and Insurance at the ready on top of dash. (I try to make sure these are within reach without having to lean over too far. I keep wallet in door handle and insurance on my visor)
2. Hands on top of steering wheel in plain sight as PD approaches
3. Dome light on if night time
4. Window down
5. Wait for his questions and request for you ID and Insurance.
6. Inform him you are carrying and where it is, ask how he would like to proceed.
7. Follow commands

However IANAL nor and LTC Instructor. Many on here are and can correct any of my mistaken beliefs.

[Jusme]

You just need to show DL LTC and insurance. You will only need to reveal if you are carrying and the location if asked. All of my interactions during a traffic stop have been positive only one asked if I was carrying and it's location.

[Keith B]

Pull over, get your Drivers License, LTC and proof of insurance. Open window and have hands at 10 and 2 on wheel. Have dome light on if dark. When the LEO sees your LTC, if they want to know if you are carrying, then tell them yes or no, then let them ask any further questions like where the gun is and how they want to deal with you being armed. Many times they will just hand your LTC back and not worry about it.

[thetexan]

I always teach to declare that you are a LTC, that you have a gun and where it is under the theory that anything you can do to put the LEO at ease and let him know you have nothing to hide helps the situation.

I know you may not have to under law in some cases but why not? Just to prove you don't have to?

When compared I see more positives by being forthcoming than not.

tex

[TexasFlash]

Pull over, get your Drivers License, LTC and proof of insurance. Open window and have hands at 10 and 2 on wheel. Have dome light on if dark. When the LEO sees your LTC, if they want to know if you are carrying, then tell them yes or no, then let them ask any further questions like where the gun is and how they want to deal with you being armed. Many times they will just hand your LTC back and not worry about it.

I agree; exactly what I've done when stopped. So far, all police contacts have been professional and even friendly, and no tickets, even when deserved! (knock on wood...)
Dave

[LabRat]

I've been stopped several times in the last 5 years. Carrying each time. 2 during the day, 1 in the early morning, but it was still dark.

In each case, I did not retrieve anything while I was stopping the vehicle or was at a full stop. I made no movements other than to put the window down a bit, turn off my vehicle and put the keys on the dash. Both hands on the wheel in full view.
In the early morning stop, I put the dome light on...switch is right at my fingertips.

The officer approached and made the standard request; license and proof of insurance. I told him my wallet is in my back left pocket and then very slowly reached back with 1 hand and got out my wallet - 2 fingers only holding it. My right hand remained on the steering wheel in his full view.
I pulled my DL and CHL from my wallet and handed both to the officer. No words were exchanged during this movement.

Each time the officers looked at my CHL and handed it back. Carrollton PD said "I don't need this anymore."
Only the DCSO asked where my gun was and I told him exactly where.

I asked permission to retrieve my proof of insurance. I keep mine above the sun visor in a little clear protector....no need to remove the paper, I just hand him the entire protector.
No whining, no furtive movements, just slow and deliberate actions. Officers never had any negative responses or snappy comebacks.
But if the officer were ever to give me further instructions on my weapon, I'll follow no problems.
Cooperation, up to a point, will be the order of the day.
There are instructions I won't follow, if doing so relieves me of my civil rights, but that's another discussion altogether.

As a driver, I want to get this over as quickly as possible, regardless of the outcome - ticket or no ticket.
I'm sure the officer is not interested in being a new friend; he/she is just on the job. I hope to never go into a traffic stop with some preconceived notion about who's right and who's wrong....the side of the road is no place to have that discussion.

Respect goes both ways. Earn it in that short time you interact with the officer and the outcome will something you can live with. - ticket or no ticket, but you'll still be breathing.

LabRat

[twomillenium]

Pull over, get your Drivers License, LTC and proof of insurance. Open window and have hands at 10 and 2 on wheel. Have dome light on if dark. When the LEO sees your LTC, if they want to know if you are carrying, then tell them yes or no, then let them ask any further questions like where the gun is and how they want to deal with you being armed. Many times they will just hand your LTC back and not worry about it.

Uh OH, I have been doing the 11 & 1 on the wheel.
I have magnetic signs on my vehicle advertising the LTC class. More than once I have had the LEO say something like
LEO: "Is that you?"
me: "yes sir" (or mam)
LEO: "I bet you are carrying"
me: " I don't leave home without it".
Then the stop goes very polite and sometimes some chit chat, 50% of the time the LEO forgets to check insurance or just barely glances at it. So far I have not been ticketed. Respect given usually equals respect returned.

[AJSully421]

Pull over, get your Drivers License, LTC and proof of insurance. Open window and have hands at 10 and 2 on wheel. Have dome light on if dark. When the LEO sees your LTC, if they want to know if you are carrying, then tell them yes or no, then let them ask any further questions like where the gun is and how they want to deal with you being armed. Many times they will just hand your LTC back and not worry about it.

This has mostly been my experience.

I agree to have the things ready. Some will tell you to not be digging around while still moving, but it does reduce the chances of getting shot while going for your wallet in the back pocket.

[SHogun62]

My opinion on the subject is this:
1. Have both ID's and Insurance at the ready on top of dash. (I try to make sure these are within reach without having to lean over too far. I keep wallet in door handle and insurance on my visor)
2. Hands on top of steering wheel in plain sight as PD approaches
3. Dome light on if night time
4. Window down
5. Wait for his questions and request for you ID and Insurance.
6. Inform him you are carrying and where it is, ask how he would like to proceed.
7. Follow commands

However IANAL nor and LTC Instructor. Many on here are and can correct any of my mistaken beliefs.

As a former LE in another state, you're on the ball with this one. Always keep your hands in sight, show him your CHL/LTC(required by law), let him/her dictate the process.

[PhilBob]

My LTC instructors were both active duty policemen. They said that the most dangerous thing they do is make a traffic stop as they have no idea what they are going to run into. They claimed that they have actually confiscated more drugs and "illegal" weapons during traffic stops than when they have gone on raids and "busted down doors".

Based on their suggestions as to how to handle a traffic stop and cognizant of the danger of the situation for them going into it, my planned actions would be to turn on the dome light if dark, roll down the window, then both hands immediately on the steering wheel, no reaching around for licenses or proof of insurance or anything else at this point.

When the officer approaches the car and asks for license and proof of insurance I will say to him, "Before taking my hands off the steering wheel and reaching for anything I would like to inform you that I have a LTC." He will probably ask if I am carrying or have a weapon on the car. I will respond to his questions and if he hasn't already told me I will ask him how would he like me to proceed? Once he tells me what he wants me to do all actions will be slow and deliberate and one handed along with nothing but respectful answers and "yes, sir", "no, sir".

[Scott B.]

Handing the officer your driver's license and LTC tells them you're armed. Until they make contact anything goes, so you're a potential bad guy until proven otherwise.

My goal is zero miscommunication.

I'm not saying anything about a firearm unless the officer asks.

Hands on wheel, window down, radio/engine off, interior lights on if conditions warrant. Any reason you had to be in a hurry is moot. Relax, be polite and patient. Your contributions to the state/county/city economy are greatly appreciated

[Skiprr]

Just a quick, uninformed comment (uninformed because the last time I was pulled over for a traffic stop was, if memory serves, 1994).

I keep absolutely no identifying information in the vehicle itself, and the garage door opener stays locked in the glove compartment until I'm on the direct-to-home stretch of any trip. The wallet--that has all my info including proof of insurance and licenses--comes out of my pocket and under the lid of the center console immediately after I lock the doors and start the engine. DL, LTC, and insurance card are kept together and can be slid out with my thumb. In about five seconds I can access the wallet, slide out my documents, and place everything on the dashboard.

If stopped, I don't want to have to go digging around--with or without the officer's permission--and I don't want him or her watching as my plates are run while I take off my seatbelt and go into contortions fishing around in pant pockets or car cubbyholes rummaging for stuff. If the shoe were on the other foot, I'd become both cautious and suspicious seeing all kinds of gyrations inside the car I just pulled over.

(And, no, I've never forgotten and left my wallet in the car. It's become an unconscious habit and everything happens in reverse when I park: remove seatbelt, check surroundings, wallet from the console and into pocket, turn off engine, exit vehicle).

The only other thing I'd add to what everyone else has said is that, if during the daytime and you're wearing sunglasses, take them off. Place them on the dashboard beside your wallet. Let the officer see your eyes.

[Mel]

I'm not saying anything about a firearm unless the officer asks.

Be careful when you visit other states. Some states require that you inform the LEO your are carrying first thing when stopped.