What do LEO's want from CHL's?

[glockstero]

As I await my CHL approval I've been compelled to ask LEO's who cross my path how they prefer CHL's to act if they are pulled over while carrying.

I'm pleased to report so far 100% support from LEO's for responsible people to arm themselves. Because they will already know we are licensed to carry before approaching our vehicle all of them requested just to let them know if you are carrying immediately and where the weapon is.

This prompts the question to myself .......how do LEO's want CHL's to act in other situations? Should we let them know "we got their back" when they are around or just see if we are needed and act?

[03Lightningrocks]

Should we let them know "we got their back" when they are around or just see if we are needed and act?

Yep... The best way is to pull your shirt up, show them your gun, wink and then say... "got your back" . One word of advice though... most cops like it if you say "dude" just after saying "got your back".

[mojo84]

Show'em your CHL badge at the same time you tell them you've got their back.

[03Lightningrocks]

Show'em your CHL badge at the same time you tell them you've got their back.

Oh my gosh mojo, I forgot to tell him that part. You are correct. I typically attach my CHL badge to my belt, just below my gun, so when I lift my shirt they see the badge at the same time they see the gun.

[longtooth]

OK gents.
New guy on the board. Yes, not the usual 1st question from the new guys.
He probably does not know the humer yet.
Lets give him good help unless really shows us otherwise.


Casual conversation w/ an officer they are not interested. Probably will see that you are carrying due to his training. Wont be long until you will start to recognize someone who is carying.

They do not need your help or want you interfeering.
They have backup on the way. A good criminal defence lawyer would probably tear their whole case up over your interferrance.

You are not responsible for ridding the world of crime & corruption. CHL is for self defence & your family responsibilities.

Only way I would ever get involved is if it was evident that an officer was being overpowered.
Then, if they will do that to an officer, they will you too.
You have less training & no body armor. That list can continue.

Best advice I give to new CHLs & new to carry is:
You are not Perry Mason. You sure are not Matt Dillon.

Concealed is concealed is concealed is concealed.
Especially in the big city & ESPECIALLY in a Liberal big city.

These are my suggestions as an instructor & not any are cut in stone.
LT

[glockstero]

I was thinking I would just start wearing a camo hat, start chewing tobacco, and trade te car in for a pick-up. That way everyone would know.

[J.J.]

I believe you are mistaken to assume the officer knows you have a chl, or are armed.

So to expand on this a bit, when a CHL holder is pulled and the officer runs your plates, does it not say,
"vehicle registered to John Doe, current add is, any existing record and CHL licensed."
I guess I just thought it was in the same system so it would be available to them.


As for the OP, think of it as you training for your dangerous job that puts your life in danger daily for years, and then some guy sits through a 10 hr class & buys a gun and now thinks he can do your job. Not only can it cause more problems then it solves, but it may be taken as disrespectful.
Best bet, protect you and yours and let them earn their paycheck!

[one73maro]

I have only been pulled over once since I have had my chl. At the time I was pulled over I had my chl for a little over a year. When the officer approached my window I told him that I had my chl and that I was carrying my weapon. He asked me where it was and I told him and he thanked me for letting him know. He asked if I just got my vehicle and I told him no that I have had it about 5 years. He said when he ran the plates it did not tell him that I had my chl. Never assume that they already know that you have a chl and weapon. He took both of licenses and insurance card. After a few minutes he came back with my stuff and a ticket. This is my only experience I have had with a Leo. I'm just saying never assume anything and never expect to just get a warning.

[WildBill]

I believe you are mistaken to assume the officer knows you have a chl, or are armed.

So to expand on this a bit, when a CHL holder is pulled and the officer runs your plates, does it not say,
"vehicle registered to John Doe, current add is, any existing record and CHL licensed."
I guess I just thought it was in the same system so it would be available to them.


As for the OP, think of it as you training for your dangerous job that puts your life in danger daily for years, and then some guy sits through a 10 hr class & buys a gun and now thinks he can do your job. Not only can it cause more problems then it solves, but it may be taken as disrespectful.
Best bet, protect you and yours and let them earn their paycheck!

When the LEO runs your plate it will tell him/her the registered owner of the car, not the driver or any DL or CHL information. IMO, when the officer approaches the car, hand him your DL and CHL. If he asks you tell him where your handgun is located. Or if you don't have one say I don't have any firearms.

[AEA]

Local Officer may not know that the owner of the vehicle (plates) has a Texas CHL.

DPS Officers do get that information when they run a plate.

[alphonso]

After my wife took her first CHL class, but before her CHL actually arrived in the mail, she got a(nother) speeding ticket.

The policeman asked her if she was carrying under her CHL. I do not pretend to understand the information system police use during a traffic stop, but in this one case he knew she "had" a CHL before she had even received it.

Her CHL arrived about a week after she was stopped...

[WildBill]

Local Officer may not know that the owner of the vehicle (plates) has a Texas CHL.

DPS Officers do get that information when they run a plate.

I stand corrected. DPS must have a different database.

[PUCKER]

So here's "sort of" a wrench...I have a CHL, but my wife does not (yet, soon, I hope!)...however, all the vehicles are registered in my name. So, if she gets pulled over, the officer could get a flag that a CHL (for me) is attached to the vehicle...but if she's driving I'm sure the officer would quickly realize that "oh, you're a gal, not the person listed on the registration..."

[The Annoyed Man]

As I await my CHL approval I've been compelled to ask LEO's who cross my path how they prefer CHL's to act if they are pulled over while carrying. They prefer that you act calm, cool, collected, and courteous. All joking aside though, in the experiences I've had, I've informed the officer as required by law, and acted naturally as if it was perfectly normal for me to be armed....same as them. And, it IS perfectly normal for me. If you act hinkey and nervous, you're going to put the officer on notice. The officer will often ask if you are currently armed, and if so, where is the gun. The one time (out of 4 or so encounters) that I was asked, I told him, and he responded by asking me to keep my hands off the gun. End of story. The others didn't seem interested.

I'm pleased to report so far 100% support from LEO's for responsible people to arm themselves. Because they will already know we are licensed to carry before approaching our vehicle all of them requested just to let them know if you are carrying immediately and where the weapon is.

This prompts the question to myself .......how do LEO's want CHL's to act in other situations? Should we let them know "we got their back" when they are around or just see if we are needed and act? It would seem to me that a quick question like, "Officer, do you need some help?" is about the limit. If he/she wants your help, they'll ask for it, and I suspect that a lot of officers would not want to feel additional responsibility for the safety of someone trying to help them.....unless the situation has just gone from "thought provoking" to seriously tactically dangerous. I think that the best thing is if you see and officer alone, down on the ground in a scuffle with someone, you step in in you feel so inclind and capable, but otherwise, a simple "holler if you need any help" should suffice. But mostly, I think it is best to just stay out of his/her way and let them do the job for which they have been trained.