Question about ID Placement

[CBuchanan]

I am right handed. Carried my wallet with ID and CHL right behind it on my right side. When I got my chl i also carried on my right. Decided it would be better to start carrying my wallet on my left to make it easier for any LEO encounter I may have. Took some getting used to but now its just second nature and Ive only had my card a couple of months.

[cheezit]

carry at 1 o'clock. its a non issue

[HK_USP_45]

I was a Texas peace officer for 35 years. Been retired now for 9 years. I don't speak for all but I worked with a bunch in rural counties and large cities. I think most would agree with me on this.

When I pulled over a vehicle, I did not want anybody exiting the violator vehicle. If I am still in the car and people are coming toward me, this gives the offender a tactical advantage. I was trained to exit the vehicle as soon as I safely could and to always be out before the violator. If they exited, have them enter the vehicle again before I approached. If there are multiple occupants, you can't keep track of them.

It always amazed me that DPS would actually put a violator in the front seat with them.

If there was a weapon in the vehicle, I would like for the driver to tell me as soon as I make contact. Then they can tell me why they can have the weapon. Then they can show me proof. Then we look at DL and insurance.

When I was off duty and armed I was only stopped twice. I always sat with the window down and hands on the wheel until the officer approached, told them I had a weapon, where it was located and that I was a police officer/deputy. When they asked for documentation, I explained where it was and slowly retrieved it.

If at night, it was always good if the driver turned on the interior light. Helped me see inside and another tactical advantage for me if they have interior lights in their eyes as well as my take down lights.

The paper work can come next as I watch the occupants, the interior and their hands.

Just my experience. I hope it is useful.

[74novaman]

Just my experience. I hope it is useful.

It is, thanks for chiming in.

[RPM]

I carry my wallet in a cargo pocket usually, so its easy to get to.

My general procedure when/if I am pulled over:

1) Stop car well on the shoulder so the officer has room to approach.

2) Kill car engine, shut off radio

3) If its dark, turn on overhead light.

4) Roll down window and sit with my hands on the wheel until officer approaches

5) Inform him I am armed, and where my DL/CHL and insurance are before digging for them.

At the OP. Is it just me or should your CHL instructors have hammered on this to the point of no question? I know my instructor did.

74novaman almost had it. At step number 5, and this is key, tell the officer of your DL and CHL and if you are armed or not. Then ask how to proceed. All while both hands on the top of the wheel. The order and manner is very important to keep the officer from going into excite mode on you. Let the officer make the call on how and when things get pulled out. Follow his instruction, that way he can perform the stop as he was trained. Not all LEOs are coached to do things the exact same.

In my case my insurance card was in the same location as my daily carry, in the glove box . He simple instructed me that neither he nor I were going to open the glove box. After chuckling at the story of why I did not have my current registration sticker displayed (3 year old took a pink marker to it ) he thanked me for the smooth CHL stop and wished me a good day.

[trentwhite778]

At the OP. Is it just me or should your CHL instructors have hammered on this to the point of no question? I know my instructor did.

Indeed they did, and I am fully aware of and comfortable with the proper procedure of alerting and Identifying during a stop (Car in park, turned off, window down, hands on the steering wheel, ID POI, and CHL in hand). The original question was about where to carry my ID in case I did get pulled over, I didn't want to have my ID too close to my weapon as grabbing for my ID might be misunderstood as a reach for the gun. That's all.
The consensus I gather from the responses is people either A) get their ID out well before the officer gets close enough to tell that it came from a nearby pocket, B) they intentionally carry in a different pocket further away so as not to come close to the weapon, or C) alert the officer BEFORE presenting ID and let the officer tell them how he'd like them to proceed.

So I'd say my question has been answered. But I am enjoying the additional followup discussion.

On a happy side note, my 6 year old son picked out a very nice leather front pocket wallet for me today while out shopping with mom. So now I have a brand new holder for all of my required Documents that I can keep AWAY from my gun!

[AustinBoy]

I carry all ID in my wallet..
When carrying wallet is in the left pocket (opposite my gun)
When not carrying wallet is in my right pocket.

Several reasons.
1: It's another reminder I’m carrying vs not.
2: it means I can reach for my wallet and toss to a BG as a distraction while still having my strong side ready to draw, defend, work an edged weapon.
3: if I have to get ID for a LEO, and I have told them I’m armed and where it is... I’m reaching with the off hand to the off side away from the gun.. I hope that is better for the LEP's sense of security.

I do exactly the same thing.
I carry a very small wallet. Credit card pouch on one side, clear window for DL on the other. DL, insurance and CHL are sandwiched in the clear window side.
I can pull out my DL , Ins and CHL all at the same time.

When carrying, Wallet in left front pocket, gun in right front pocket. (unless I am carrying the .45 at which point he will just think I am left handed.)

BG comes, I say here! take my cell phone and wallet! reach into both pockets. Wallet comes out of left pocket first and I accidently drop it. LCP comes out of right pocket. (or wallet gets dropped and the .45 gets pulled from my right side holster)

AB

Edit: Why do I carry my wallet in my front pocket? Two years ago, age 38, I got out of bed in the morning, tried to stand up and fell flat on my butt. Scared the hell out of me. Went to the Dr. ASAP. He said it was sciatica. Moved my wallet to my front pocket and it has never happened since.

[HK_USP_45]

I guess my point was it doesn't matter where you carry your ID. The officer doesn't know where your gun is, if you have a gun, or if you are left or right handed. If you are up front about being armed and why you can legally be in that condition, they will be a little more at ease and your movements aren't as big a concern. You see, a good officer assumes everyone has a gun. After the initial contact and you state you are armed and have the paper work to allow it, it doesn't matter where you pull your CHL out of.

[karateclarinet]

I switched sides for my wallet also. For some reason I would carry in the right back pocket for jeans, and left for slacks. I went to left all the time when I started to carry every day. Not because of LE interaction, but because I didn't want to accidentally display my weapon when reaching for my wallet in a store.

[Edited for typos]

'This is what I did, more to avoid displaying my firearm when grabbing my wallet from my back right pocket. Getting used to the change only took a few days, and now I keep my wallet in my back left pocket even when I'm not carrying my weapon (I'm a teacher and cannot carry at school).

[azwe]

I disagree with almost all of you. It doesn't matter where your wallet is because once the officer is informed you have a gun then it could be ANYWHERE on your body. He's not going to take your "word" for it and if it is properly concealed then he shouldn't be able to see it anyway. Slow movements to your wallet or allowing the officer to take out the wallet and hand it to you are more appropriate. Turn off the engine and radio, all cab lights on, drivers side window down, hands off the wheel, hands interlocked and placed on top of the window (the area where the window comes out of the door. This way if he wants you to step out then you can unlock and he can open with almost no movement on your part.

[couzin]

am i the only one who thinks someone is way over thinking here?

I guess the question arose when I tried to put myself in a LEO's shoes and thought about how I'd feel if someone reached near his weapon to give me their ID and CHL.

Does not ever hurt to ask a question -- however, the thread does appear to be overthought to some - including me. Serious question though and I understand how you and others with the same concerns could get to where you are.

My serious answer would be to have the CHL on you and be ready to present when asked - not start fumbling around as soon as you are pulled over, nor start reaching with EITHER hand until told to do so. A LEO is not going to know which 'handedness' you are and the radar is going up as soon as there is a flurry of activity visible from behind through the rear glass or when approaching a car.

I once had a big ol' burly South Carolina trooper pull a huge revolver (musta been at least a 40mm howitzer) and point it at my head during a 1970 stop in Aiken when I reached down into the door pocket after he had asked me for my driver license. A "boy, you best be handing me your wallet!" was all I needed to stop pooping long enough to dig out my license and had it over. I always left my wallet in the door pocket because of sweat and humidity.