If stopped by a Cop.....

[ApacheDan]

This is one of those "what if" questions.  I've owned different handguns through out my life, but first time with a Black Widow.  It took me a while to get the hang of loading-unloading the cylinder, making the gun safe.  I am a law-abiding citizen , got my CCP and carry my BW on my right front pocket.  I always wonder what would happen if a Cop stops me for whatever reason and takes away my BW (peacefully, of course).   First thing a Cop is supposed to do is make the firearm safe.  I doubt he would know how to do it, unless he has previous NAA revolver experience.  At this point, are you supposed to help him figure it out?

[OLD and GRUMPY]

Good question. I would at least give him a heads up when you show your CCP.  We have LEOs . One should weigh in on this.

[Wumbey Goomba]

If your firearm is taken.
Invoke your right to remain silent.

[OV-1D]

  Why is my question for all the issues you brought up . 

[Uncle_Lee]

This is one of those "what if" questions.  I've owned different handguns through out my life, but first time with a Black Widow.  It took me a while to get the hang of loading-unloading the cylinder, making the gun safe.  I am a law-abiding citizen , got my CCP and carry my BW on my right front pocket.  I always wonder what would happen if a Cop stops me for whatever reason and takes away my BW (peacefully, of course).   First thing a Cop is supposed to do is make the firearm safe.  I doubt he would know how to do it, unless he has previous NAA revolver experience.  At this point, are you supposed to help him figure it out?

I watch a lot of "COPS" on TV (now on Fox Nation).
Yes, I have see a few NAA minis come up and every time they fumble with them. Seems like that is one in the group that gets it done after playing around for a while.
If the cop needs you to help, he/she will ask.

[top dog]

I was an LEO for 40 years.

My first question is,why would the cop take the piece??  Did you do something wrong??

If a motorist is getting out his drivers license and I see he has a CCW,I would ask if he were carrying? If yes,I would tell him not to reach anywhere near where he had it.

If it is just a traffic offense,then the motorist would remain seated until the stop is complete.

If it is of a more serious matter,than the piece is obtained (usually in a calm deliberate manner).

Now if the officer is unfamiliar with the weapon,he should ask how to make it safe and not make it into a "crew served weapon" with four officers "assisting"

If the piece is unfamiliar,most officers would put it in a safe location to be dealt with later.

Many states require that you tell an officer you are packing heat.

If that is the case,make sure your hands are in plain sight and do as the officer asks.

Most encounters like that go on w/o any problems and I have not heard of an officer asking a person with a CCW to remove the gun.

                                                                     Top Dog

[LepriconX]

Reminds me about encounter with highway patrol officer back in 2009
I was driving back home from a day of autocross competition. Tired, really did not feel the speed (you know, driving normal after car racing can be kind of "in slow motion"), when I noticed the officer pointing radar at me it was already too late. No point to continue driving and I just slowed down and basically stopped almost in front of her patrol car (yes it was a women).
It was literaly my 1st encounter with police after 9 years in this country. She came from right side asked me for license and registration, and (that's where I got surprised) jumped back from the door with her hand on the gun ready to draw, when I reached to glove box for papers I realised that I was doing that too fast, that's why I slowed down and let her observe quitely what is inside then got the papers.

She was the nicest officer I met (compare to 2 other I also met in the next 11 years). We chat, I explained why I was driving too fast (see above). And she gave me a ticket just for "exceeding highway speed". Honestly, I forever thankful for that (my real speed was above 100+).

[LepriconX]

The other 2 encounters was:
1 - sheriff deputy gave me a "fix-it" ticket for non-working one of the stop lights, and assured me it is "free". Well, it was not. $28 dollars in sheriff's office for the officer to come out of the building to check if the light is fixed. And ~$40 dollars to the court clerk to close.the ticket.
2 - police officer gave me the ticket for running over red light. Which was a total BS because, first, I finished crossing the intersection on YELLOW light (which turned red when I was already on othe side, I saw it in the mirror). Second, he could not possibly see the intersection lights from where he was standing. And third, he was simply a rude person.
I went to court with lots of pictures of this location with explanation of what and how. Judge agreed that it was not directly visible for him to see the lights, may be just shadows of those lights and ofered me a.traffic school and to pay $37 (instead of $800+). Even that I still know that cop was not right  (one time during deliberation I even lost it and call him a liar), I agreed. Still 37 is better than 800

[OV-1D]

I was an LEO for 40 years.

My first question is,why would the cop take the piece??  Did you do something wrong??

If a motorist is getting out his drivers license and I see he has a CCW,I would ask if he were carrying? If yes,I would tell him not to reach anywhere near where he had it.

If it is just a traffic offense,then the motorist would remain seated until the stop is complete.

If it is of a more serious matter,than the piece is obtained (usually in a calm deliberate manner).

Now if the officer is unfamiliar with the weapon,he should ask how to make it safe and not make it into a "crew served weapon" with four officers "assisting"

If the piece is unfamiliar,most officers would put it in a safe location to be dealt with later.

Many states require that you tell an officer you are packing heat.

If that is the case,make sure your hands are in plain sight and do as the officer asks.

Most encounters like that go on w/o any problems and I have not heard of an officer asking a person with a CCW to remove the gun.

                                                                     Top Dog

    Thank you Top Dog .

[OV-1D]

The other 2 encounters was:
1 - sheriff deputy gave me a "fix-it" ticket for non-working one of the stop lights, and assured me it is "free". Well, it was not. $28 dollars in sheriff's office for the officer to come out of the building to check if the light is fixed. And ~$40 dollars to the court clerk to close.the ticket.
2 - police officer gave me the ticket for running over red light. Which was a total BS because, first, I finished crossing the intersection on YELLOW light (which turned red when I was already on othe side, I saw it in the mirror). Second, he could not possibly see the intersection lights from where he was standing. And third, he was simply a rude person.
I went to court with lots of pictures of this location with explanation of what and how. Judge agreed that it was not directly visible for him to see the lights, may be just shadows of those lights and ofered me a.traffic school and to pay $37 (instead of $800+). Even that I still know that cop was not right  (one time during deliberation I even lost it and call him a liar), I agreed. Still 37 is better than 800

   I presume your still in California ?

[Uncle_Lee]

In my youth, I had lots of encounters with cops.
I had a picture in here but thought Naaaaaa don't do that.

[LepriconX]

The other 2 encounters was:
...

I presume your still in California ?

Hmm... yes. Why?

Aaa... the amount of fine? Well, internet says the typical fine is $450-500, but my collegue at work says he paid $750 a year ago.
I added $50 to my estimation just for a sake of inflation

[theysayimnotme]

I've gotten stopped a few times over the years but I haven't paid a ticket in over fifty years. I did go to court twice & the cop never showed up. (That was one advantage of working for the post office since I could go on my day off.)
I do recall two times I got a warning on my motorcycle from a motorcycle cop. The first time one pulled up beside me & told me to slow down. Then at the next light he told me to pull into the gas station. I thought he was going to give me a ticket but instead he wanted to ask me about my bike as he was thinking of buying one. (Honda CX500). The next one looked at my driver's license & said, "Happy birthday" & told me to slow down.

[ApacheDan]

  Why is my question for all the issues you brought up . 

Well, not everybody have been lucky enough to live a straight life without problems with the Cops.  Let me tell you a real-life story that happened to me.  I've always carry a CCP and carry conceal.  Many, many moons ago I was going through a bad divorce and custody battle with a witch. Anyways my then 16 year old boy refused to live with his mother and would live with me. He was going to a local school and the office called me.  My ex called the Cops on him to force him to go back with her and he refused. I got there and started arguing with the Cops.  They invoque some law that says that he was a danger to himself, took him away and cuffed him.  I ran to them, trying to plead with them not to take him.  I don't know about you guys, but if you ever see a loved one taken in cuffs, you kind of loose it a little bit.  I was carrying concealed, a Beretta at that time.  The thought of pulling out a gun never came to my mind, but they pulled me apart and told me that if I would further interfere, they would take me in too. I backed off, but at that time, I could have easily been frisked and my gun taken.  Eventually, everything worked out allright, but I will always remember...
So,  most likely, it will never happen that a Cop takes my gun, but it is not an impossible scenario.  You are welcome to think that it will never happen to you, but you never know.   Just wanted to be mentally prepared as to what to do or say ...specially with a BW

[MR_22]

I've been stopped numerous times when I've been carrying and I always hand over my CFP (it's a concealed firearm permit here in Utah) along with with my DL. They generally have asked about the location of the firearm, and then they say ask that I don't touch it or get it out. They have never asked to take possession of it.

If they do ever ask to take possession of it, I'm guessing that for some reason that they no longer consider me to be one of the good guys and it's best for me to hand it over without much comment. It's their duty to handle it safely if they take possession of it.

Yes, I have watched cop videos where law enforcement officers have taken possession of a firearm and can't figure out how to clear it. I guess that's on them, not me. JMOO.

[theysayimnotme]

Made me remember the time I was stopped on the way back from one of the Reno NRA conventions. A short time after I crossed the Cal/Nev border I passed a car on the two lane road & soon after a CHP car went by. Fairly soon after he fell in behind me & followed for a long time. After maybe a half hour he lit me up. He said I was speeding when I passed the other car. OF COURSE I WAS, you get out, get around & get back in. He said that EVEN WHILE PASSING you still need to obey the speed law. That is the stupidest law I have ever heard of. Long story short he only gave me a warning but even after all these years it still makes me mad. I was surprised to learn that the radar could read your speed from an approaching car.

[Uncle_Lee]

Made me remember the time I was stopped on the way back from one of the Reno NRA conventions. A short time after I crossed the Cal/Nev border I passed a car on the two lane road & soon after a CHP car went by. Fairly soon after he fell in behind me & followed for a long time. After maybe a half hour he lit me up. He said I was speeding when I passed the other car. OF COURSE I WAS, you get out, get around & get back in. He said that EVEN WHILE PASSING you still need to obey the speed law. That is the stupidest law I have ever heard of. Long story short he only gave me a warning but even after all these years it still makes me mad. I was surprised to learn that the radar could read your speed from an approaching car.

Same in Indiana. Only I paid the ticket. Wasn't much by today's standards. I think it was $10.00. That was in 1958.

[ApacheDan]

I've been stopped numerous times when I've been carrying and I always hand over my CFP (it's a concealed firearm permit here in Utah) along with with my DL. They generally have asked about the location of the firearm, and then they say ask that I don't touch it or get it out. They have never asked to take possession of it.

If they do ever ask to take possession of it, I'm guessing that for some reason that they no longer consider me to be one of the good guys and it's best for me to hand it over without much comment. It's their duty to handle it safely if they take possession of it.

Yes, I have watched cop videos where law enforcement officers have taken possession of a firearm and can't figure out how to clear it. I guess that's on them, not me. JMOO.

Thank you MR22.....this helps a lot.

[Kismet]

One of the very few times in my life I was lit up and pulled over by State Policeman. He approached my car and said, "you were speeding."  I said, "I'm sorry." He asked for my license and I gave it to him along with my CCP, he handed back the CCP and asked me to wait while he ran my license.

He came back and asked where I was going (home), where had I been (gun shop in a town @ 20 miles back). I offered that I'd just bought a revolver and asked if he would like to see it. He said yes, and I popped the trunk and lifted the lid, but only opened the box, but didn't touch the revolver (Heritage RR 3.5, bird's head handle.) We talked guns a bit. He said he didn't want any passers-by to see me handing him a handgun.

I mentioned that some years before, I'd been asked if I would do a simple handling and use of shotguns  class for the county police department. Seems most of the officers had experience with handguns, but little time with a shotgun. I, on the other hand, had been rabbit,squirrel and pheasant hunting from the time I was seventeen, and had taken a joint training program with the IL NRA and IL Department of Conservation, so I was comfortable with a shotgun of most varieties. The class never took place.

I asked about ammunition supplies for his force. He said the monthly qualification had been modified to two or three times a year, because of the ammunition shortage. Then he told me about his recent purchase of a Glock something-or-other.

He warned me, and wished me well, as I did him.

I have no idea how fast I was going, but it couldn't have been much. I don't speed as a rule and I was driving a new car to me which didn't give me the feedback I was used as I drove.

Actually, a nice encounter with a friendly and considerate officer.

I've never understood those folks who respond to an LEO with indignation and belligerence. They are making the situation far more problematic than it needs be.

[bluecow]

If your firearm is taken.
Invoke your right to remain silent.

YUP!  It is constitutional carry here, and you are required no notify law enforcement if doing so.  If he/she takes my firearm, they can ask for help, otherwise shut up, be polite and friendly but shut up.

[LHB]

I'll just say that in the year and a half that I worked with Marine MPs, and got to know a few North Carolina troopers, I saw more people get in trouble because of their mouth than anything they did.

[top dog]

LHB,
You are so right there!!!!!!!  Many folks have the right (but not the ability) to remain silent.

Usually,polite,nice conversations between the officer and person resolve many issues.

But then,there are some folks out there that are not happy unless they are doing something                   STEWPID!!!

                                                                                                             Top Dog