Traffic Stop with Multiple Weapons

[terryg]

Sidenote: I have been asking a lot of questions - even for a noob. I really appreciate all responses. Some of the questions are more general curiosity and to spark larger discussions than they are critical concerns. But even the responses to those 'light' questions help to paint a larger picture of the general thoughts and opinions of forum members - many of whom are experienced CCW citizens. So again, thank you!

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This weekend I plan to go the Hi Caliber show at the GRB in Houston. My FIL, who does not have a CHL is coming with me. We may decide to go to a range after for some shooting. He bought a Taurus Judge a few months back but still hasn't fired it once yet.

So, in addition my Tomcat that I will have on my person, we may have 4 or 5 other handguns in the vehicle with us. If I were driving and were to get stopped, which weapons am I obligated to report under CHL?

I would presume the answer would be any loaded weapon on my person on in close proximity (i.e. glovebox, under the seat, etc). I wouldn't think I would need to disclose any weapons that are out of reach in the back - whether they are loaded or not (they wouldn't be loaded - but for the sake of the question - lets cover both).

Both the recent MPA and the old traveling laws do not require disclosure - correct? If so, then is it correct to draw the CHL disclosure line at loaded weapons within reach?

[Teamless]

So, in addition my Tomcat that I will have on my person, we may have 4 or 5 other handguns in the vehicle with us. If I were driving and were to get stopped, which weapons am I obligated to report under CHL?

You are obligated to present your CHL.
If asked, do you have any weapons on you, say yes.
If asked "Where" tell the truth, no harm in that.

they do not have to be on your person to be yours and covered under your CHL.
As long as your FIL (who is not a CHL holder) is not holding any weapons, there should be no issues.
If asked, why so many guns, "just left gun show and going to the range", no big deal there at all

My biggest thing, be honest. No reason to hide the fact you have the weapon(s), as you are legally allowed to possess them.

[terryg]

So, in addition my Tomcat that I will have on my person, we may have 4 or 5 other handguns in the vehicle with us. If I were driving and were to get stopped, which weapons am I obligated to report under CHL?

You are obligated to present your CHL.
If asked, do you have any weapons on you, say yes.
If asked "Where" tell the truth, no harm in that.

they do not have to be on your person to be yours and covered under your CHL.
As long as your FIL (who is not a CHL holder) is not holding any weapons, there should be no issues.
If asked, why so many guns, "just left gun show and going to the range", no big deal there at all

My biggest thing, be honest. No reason to hide the fact you have the weapon(s), as you are legally allowed to possess them.

I am generally extremely open and honest - sometimes to a fault. Especially around LE Officer's. I have the utmost respect for them and would not, in general, do anything other than provide full disclosure. I have traveled to the range with a 'mini-arsenal' before I got my CHL (and before the MPA) and so am also somewhat prepared to explain the trip.

But its always good to know what the legal requirement is just in case.

[chamberc]

I've actually been pulled over before on my way to hunt, and had numerous weapons in the car. When the LEO (a rural sherriffs's deputy) asked if I was carrying after I handed him my DL and CHL, I listed everything and its location in the vehicle... he laughed and told me to slow down...

[mgood]

I've thought about that before. When I worked in the gun store, I open carried there daily. I frequently went to the range before or after work, multiple times per week. I shot in some sort of competition just about every weekend. I was around guns and gun people all day every day.
I wondered what the officer's reaction might be if I was stopped and he asked me if I had any guns and I replied that I had a pistol on my hip, another in the console, a couple of rifles in the back seat, and uh, I think that's all I have with me today. But at least half the police officers and sheriff's deputies were regulars in our store so they knew me. The one time I was stopped and given a ticket while in a hurry because I was late for work, the guy didn't act like he recognized me though I'd seen him in the store a couple times. He never asked if I had any weapons. If he'd asked me to step out, he would have seen the Kimber on my belt. He did ask where I worked. I didn't know if that was standard procedure or if he was just confirming where he thought he'd seen me before, though he still gave no indication of recognizing me.

I heard a story, there in the store, about a Class III dealer who'd been to some law enforcement show out in California. He was returning home, towing a trailer full of hardware. He was stopped (I think it was at one of the Border Patrol checkpoints) and was asked if he had any guns. "Yes." Then the officer asked him, "Well, you don't have any machine guns, explosives, or rocket launchers or anything, do you?" He paused and then replied, "No rocket launchers."

[jordanmills]

I wondered what the officer's reaction might be if I was stopped and he asked me if I had any guns and I replied that I had a pistol on my hip, another in the console, a couple of rifles in the back seat, and uh, I think that's all I have with me today. But at least half the police officers and sheriff's deputies were regulars in our store so they knew me.

Happened to me once, on the way back from the shootin' range. Pulled over by a rookie DPS officer on training. I didn't really know the guy in my passenger seat (he's a friend's new husband, we rode together so the girls could ride in one car and do their girl thing). Of course I was carrying, and I had about four rifles in the back seat and on the rack. We were a couple of white boys in the black part of town with a bunch of guns... Well the troopers had us get out and stand at opposite ends of the vehicle, the rookie disarmed me and ran the serial number on my sidearm, everything checked out, and he let me go with a warning for a missing front plate. I figured that I wouldn't cause a followup stink about the disarming and serial-running given the circumstances.

I also pulled that response to "Any more firearms in the vehicle?". "Um, I think that's it?" I got a laugh for it, but that's when he asked us to step out.

[bayouhazard]

Every time I have been stopped in the past 10+ years, there were multiple firearms on my person and/or in my car. It's never been an issue and I was only "disarmed" once.

[A-R]

first response is right on. Be truthful with the officer, he/she will appreciate it and depending on what all you're carrying might even get a chuckle out of it.

I once had a fairly new city police officer ask me "where is your gun right now sir?" during a traffic stop. When I told him it was in my front pocket, he didn't believe me ... "how did you fit it in there?" ... "it's a Kahr PM40" I told him .... incredulously, he asked "you have a .40-caliber handgun in your pocket?" .... I SO wanted to respond "no, I'm just happy to see you" but of course did not .... explained what a Kahr PM was, how small it was, etc. and we talked guns for a few minutes, him asking me if that was a good backup weapon and what else he might consider for a backup weapon .... he apparently forgot to write me the speeding ticket and told me to have a nice day

Another great story I just heard this week at CHL Instructor class .... guy said he was heading to Louisiana to do some shooting with friends/relatives etc one weekend, gets pulled over by LOUISIANA higway patrol (which made him a bit more nervous, not knowing how that department would react). He went ahead and showed TDL & CHL together. Trooper asked where his gun was located and he answered (and I don't remember the exact types of weapons) - "1911 on his hip, another handgun under the driver's seat, a shotgun, three AK-47s, and 1200 rounds of ammo in the trunk." The trooper, who apparently did a great trooper scowl/blank stare, without missing a beat, asked "you expecting trouble up ahead?"



The two of them apparently shared a laugh and he sent the guy on his way.

[gigag04]

Answer the questions asked by the officer truthfully...

[dubya]

Makes me think of good ol' Mel Gibson when he checks his weapons at the window in "Thunder Dome"

[Kiowa Scout]

I agree with the others. Just be honest with the LEO.

Once, when I was coming back to Lubbock (TTU) from hunting near Paint Rock, I was stopped by a State Trooper for speeding. As he approached my truck, he asked me to step out of truck. I did as he requested. When we got to the back of the truck, he asked if I had any weapons on me and I told him only a hunting knife, which I carefully placed on my pick-up at his request. I asked him if everything was ok. He replied I saw your gun cases in the back of truck as I approached and I assumed that you had at least one weapon if the front of truck or you wouldn't leave those cases back there. He rwent on to say my thoughts were answered when you opened your door and I saw the grip of your 1911 in the door. We both laughed, he gave me a warning and told me to slow down. He also said that I was a fool if I didn't have at least one gun up front to protect all our gear in back. When I got back in the truck, my buddy asked me what that was all about. He laughed and asked me If I told the trooper that we had 5 pistols and a shotgun up front. I said no, he knew he was out gunned when he walked up. He had already admitted that.



I had a friend of mine get pulled over by a State Trooper near Uvalde on his way to go guide deer hunters. The trooper looked in his back seat to see 10 gun cases. He asked my friend why he had so many guns with him. He replied, I am a hunting guide. The trooper still did not understand so he asked again. My friend asked the trooper if he played golf. The trooper replied yes. Charlie then questioned you don't go play golf with just your putter do you? The trooper shook his head and headed back to his car in disbelief.

[mgood]

Two retired sheriff's deputies were nearly permanent fixtures in the store where I worked. They came in every day and drank coffee and told tall tales.
(Danny and Dan, no relation.)
One day Danny is telling us that he once counted the guns in Dan's pickup and there were 29.
Dan gets indignant and points at Danny and says, "Now that is a damn lie! I have never had more than 28 guns in that truck."

[jbirds1210]

Answer the questions asked by the officer truthfully...

I agree. The only reason I would have a concern is if my passenger was a convicted felon (that is not going to happen to me...just sayin)

Jason

[Dan20703]

I've actually been pulled over before on my way to hunt, and had numerous weapons in the car. When the LEO (a rural sherriffs's deputy) asked if I was carrying after I handed him my DL and CHL, I listed everything and its location in the vehicle... he laughed and told me to slow down...

Same thing happened to me and two of my friends there were 13 assorted guns and several cases of ammo. Two of us had our CHL and the trooper asked if we were carrying. I said yes and my buddy said no. Trooper looked at my buddy and asked "Why not?"

[SecedeTX]

I was pulled over for no front license plate last month. I gave the officer the DL and CHL. He looked at the CHL and handed it back, and asked "do you have it on you?"

My reply to him was "9mm on my right hip, 357 revolver in the center console, my wife's 38 special in the glove box, and a rifle in the trunk." I was in a suit and tie at the time.

He actually let out a giggle and gave me a ticket for the missing front plate.