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Great place to ask this question, b/c I have asked it many time's and NEVER heard a repeat answer.
When carrying w/ a CCW and either approached or pulled over by LE, "What do you do?
Do you instantly inform the officer that you are carrying? My father in law is retired Jacksonville,Fl LEO & active Interlachen, Fl LEO (72 y/o). I asked him and sadly, he acted as if he had never been presented w/ the problem/question.
However, as a disbaled vet I DO NOT want or need to be dragged out of my car or ordered out onto the ground w/ knee's in my back (purely what I see on COPS OK).
I mean common sense tell's me to inform the officer, but as stated above, I've saw that happen on COPS and then the on the ground knee in the back crap started. Some have stated to say nothing, only mention it if it's found, Da, when it's found bullet's start flying.
So, someone PLEASE give me a legit sensible answer.

 

[Soverign]

I was going to ask this same question but I was going to search the forum 1st.
So anywho, what say you all.....

 

[Timbal]

Speedy;

I think someone would have to do several really not smart things for them to wind up with a LEO's knee in their back. If you don't do anything not smart, you should be fine. The vast majority of LEO's are professionals and aren't given to randomly deciding to toss anyone on the floor and putting their knee on your back. :thumsup

Personally, I don't plan on mentioning at all that there is a firearm at all. The only reason I would mention it at all would be if for some reason I'm ordered out of the car, in which case my hands would be in the air and I'd inform the officer that I plan on following his orders to the letter, and advise them I had a CWL, and ONLY then that I had a firearm on me.

But, that's just me.

 

[deadeyedick]

Speedy;

I think someone would have to do several really not smart things for them to wind up with a LEO's knee in their back. If you don't do anything not smart, you should be fine. The vast majority of LEO's are professionals and aren't given to randomly deciding to toss anyone on the floor and putting their knee on your back. :thumsup

Personally, I don't plan on mentioning at all that there is a firearm at all. The only reason I would mention it at all would be if for some reason I'm ordered out of the car, in which case my hands would be in the air and I'd inform the officer that I plan on following his orders to the letter, and advise them I had a CWL, and ONLY then that I had a firearm on me.

But, that's just me.

+1 :thumsup

The only time that I informed an LEO that I had a gun was when it was laying on the front seat...and he hadn't even seen it. :doh But since I keep my PI credentials with my DL, they all probably assume I'm armed anyway.

Unlike some other states, there is no legal requirement in Florida to inform an LEO that you're carrying a concealed weapon upon an official contact, but under certain conditions it may be wise to do so...like in a situation where it may become obvious, such as when you are ordered from your vehicle. Just don't do anything foolish; if at this point you don't know how to conduct yourself during a traffic stop (hands on wheel, dome light on, engine off, etc.), then you're too stupid to even own a gun, much less carry one concealed.

 

[chuckusaret]

Going to an outdoor range this afternoon and I sure hope the cops don't stop us on our trip to or from the range. The handguns, shotguns, rifles and 50cal BMG would not be a problem. The 50 lb sack of potatos, if seen by the LEO would be a dead give away that we are transporting an outlawed very dangerous weapon, a potato cannon.:ak

 

[capngeo]

FWIW, I always declare the weapon as soon as possible. I hand over my CWFL, DL and FD ID together. They always ask where and what it is, then say just don't reach for it and we're fine.

Until the attitude and responses from LE change to the worse about CC, I figure it is a respect due the officer up front.

 

[bones]

I have asked a few LEO's Some say up front is best, others say only when asked to get out of car or similar question type. I went through a license check the other day, did NOT say anything about CCWP. Wasn't asked either.
Is it better as a "don't ask, don't tell" question? Most of the time you get pulled, all they NORMALLY do is get DL & reg. to write ticket, then you go.
I think IF there will be a car search or getting out of car would be the best time. But it is my opinion. I don't have any resources to back that up.
The question remains(even after this response) tell first or last?

 

[Mac45]

My personal opinion is that it is up to you, with a couple of warnings.

First, keep your hand away from your firearm. If, for any reason, your hand is going to stray near your firearm, tell the officer that you are armed. If you reach for your wallet in your back pocket and it happens to be on the same side as your weapon and the LEO notices the weapon, it is entirely likely that you will find yourself at gunpoint with orders not to move. The same applies if the weapon is in the glove compartment with your registration. In Florida, a drivers license check will bring up information on your CWL.

Second, if you have to get out of the car for any reason, advise the officer that you are armed and that you have a CWL. Otherwise the same thing can happen, should the firearm be discovered. And printing is one of the things a well trained officer will be looking for.

As I said, whether to immediately inform the officer that you are armed is a personal decision. Just use common sense.

 

[daytona]

I'm thinking be upfront about it, hand the officer your dl,reg,ins and cwp all at once and tell him where the gun is. What if he is talking to you for a few minutes and then sees something under your shirt - he goes on high alert. Why not de-fuse the situation a.s.a.p. I would think it would put him more at ease knowing all was legal should he ask/find something.

 

[SwampRat]

Guys, if anyone is an LEO in the State of Florida you would automatically assume there is a firearm in the car/truck..if he doesnt he's a fool..It is legal at age 18yrs old (non felon) to transport a firearm in your vehicle be it in the glove compartment, center console or a box or zipper bag..If you dont have to advise then, and I never did, when one was in the glove compartment or console, what makes you feel compelled to tell him you have a Concealed Carry??..

 

[brownie]

No law to inform at the stop? I won't.

I'll inform the officer I'm armed if, for any reason, I'm asked to alight from the vehicle during the traffic stop.

My DL and Reg is waiting for the officer on the dash by the time he gets to the window, hands on wheel when he approaches, of course.

 

[hammerhead]

Keep your mouth closed and do not offer any information. The people who talk alot are the ones who give the officer PC or RS for further action.

 

[airhead]

Depends on what the stop is for.

If it is a typical traffic stop (speeding, rolling stop, any other number of dumb things I've been known to do...) then I'm going to produce my licence (weak side front pocket) and insurance and registration (glove box) and sit there being very polite (hoping for a warning instead of a ticket).

Anything else (he asks me to exit the car) and I will tell him before we go any further, I want him to know that I have a permit to carry the weapon that is on my strong side.

That said, I have not been stopped in several years (knock on wood)...

 

[capngeo]

If anything is going to help you get a warning as opposed to a ticket, it is showing respect... In my book, respect means I let them know I'm armed up front.

I would think from a LEO's point of view, the possibility of being attacked is the most stressful part of a traffic stop. Again, I would think that someone who VOLUNTEERED the fact he was armed, would indicate he had no intentions of using deadly force on the LEO.

 

[MPDC66]

As a Policeman in DC, we were instructed to always inform the LEO, if we are stopped off duty, that we are a Policeman and there is a pistol (location).

In NC, where I spend the summer, the law is to inform the LEO you are carrying and wait for his instruction (he will ask for your permit once, don't try to hand him anything untill he asks).

Some people are nervous when approached by Police. That nervousness can translate to a problem if you haven't planned your response and act inappropriately just out of nervousness. Two nervous folks (you and the Officer) can be a dangerous situation so I suggest you follow this scenario.

Inform the leo you are carrying or have a weapon in the vehicle LEGALLY. Wait for his instructions as to whether to hand over permit, etc. Keep your hands in sight. IF in the car, keep your hands at ten and two Oclock on the steering wheel untill he tells you to produce permit or exit the vehicle.

I have always done this (over forty years) and never had any problems with LEOs. Remember, he is only trying to stay safe and is NOT there to pick on you or make life hard.

IF the weapon was not immediately accessible, like in the glovebox or console, I might not mention it unless I had to retrieve something from there and then I would inform him as above.

Be aware, many States REQUIRE you tell the LEO you have a weapon. The above proceedure has served me well for a long time.

 

[airhead]

If anything is going to help you get a warning as opposed to a ticket, it is showing respect... In my book, respect means I let them know I'm armed up front.

I would think from a LEO's point of view, the possibility of being attacked is the most stressful part of a traffic stop. Again, I would think that someone who VOLUNTEERED the fact he was armed, would indicate he had no intentions of using deadly force on the LEO.

good point.

And I've heard on this and a few other boards that handing over your FCWL along with your DL doesn't hurt.

....Remember, he is only trying to stay safe and is NOT there to pick on you or make life hard.

You've not spent much time in some of our lovely citys that are nationaly known as speed traps?

FLORIDA

Worst Speedtrap: Waldo
Dishonorable Mention: Lawtey, Ocala, Orlando

And I'd add Altemont Springs

 

[Glock23-4-Me]

In Florida, a drivers license check will bring up information on your CWL.

I question your statement. I understand that LEO can determine that you have a firearm license in florida but not through searching with your dl#. I had been informed that it is through running a ss# check through fcic.

If you have info to support your statement, please let me know. thanks

 

[MPDC66]

"You've not spent much time in some of our lovely citys that are nationaly known as speed traps?"

I've frequently travelled up 301 through lawtey and Ocala. The funny thing is they warn you well in advance that they are a "speed trap" with billboards.

My statement about not giving you a hard time referred to your handgun, not whether or not you will get ticketed. With all the signs on 301 through that area and the way local traffic takes it seriously and crawls along, I don't see how they ever "catch" anyone speeding who isn't just asking to get caught.

 

[Mac45]

I question your statement. I understand that LEO can determine that you have a firearm license in florida but not through searching with your dl#. I had been informed that it is through running a ss# check through fcic.

If you have info to support your statement, please let me know. thanks

Sorry, but that is incorrect. The State of Florida automated their FCIC so that all information concerning a person's DL status, wants and warrants, orders for protection from domestic violence, parole and probation status and CWL status comes up at the same time. These are considered officer safety issues by the State. Computers are marvelous things.:sorry

 

[MRBARRY]

The State of Florida automated their FCIC so that all information concerning a person's DL status, wants and warrants, orders for protection from domestic violence, parole and probation status and CWL status comes up at the same time.

I didn't know that (about the CWL status), thanks for the info.

I've yet to be stopped since I got my CWL, but if/when it happens I've already decided to hand it over along with my DL.