Pulled over while carrying

[khiemp]

While it's obvious that you shouldn't have been on the phone, what's more disturbing to me is that you didn't see the officer. That's a situational awareness fault in my book.

I was kind of annoyed at myself for not seeing him either.
I had just changed lanes to the far right. He was a MC Cop parked on the sidewalk corner behind a something.

[khiemp]

Does your IA require you to inform when you're carrying?

Yes, Orange County requires us to let the officer know that we are carrying.

[khiemp]

Correct, I was told to notify the department (I'm in OC) anytime I have contact with law enforcement, whether I am carrying or not. That was a change from the previous policy. I wonder if they are collecting data????

If you are carrying, you have to notify the officer. If you arent carrying, there's no need or reason to let them know.

[khiemp]

To clarify, by the time I had gotten my DL and CCW out of my wallet, the officer was about up to my passenger side window. I rolled down the window and handed him my IDs. He then asked for reg and ins which was when I opened my glove compartment and handed him the docs. Then he asked where the firearm was located.

Should I have been more cautious and sit still while hands on the steering wheel? Would that look weird or suspicious? Or I just be normal? I have never had an officer point a gun in my face. I have never given them a cause for that. I did not make any sudden movements. I did not have any cause to fear for my own safety. I acted normal and all parties are fine.

[Whites of Their Eyes]

To clarify, by the time I had gotten my DL and CCW out of my wallet, the officer was about up to my passenger side window. I rolled down the window and handed him my IDs. He then asked for reg and ins which was when I opened my glove compartment and handed him the docs. Then he asked where the firearm was located.

Should I have been more cautious and sit still while hands on the steering wheel? Would that look weird or suspicious? Or I just be normal? I have never had an officer point a gun in my face. I have never given them a cause for that. I did not make any sudden movements. I did not have any cause to fear for my own safety. I acted normal and all parties are fine.

What I recommend is to keep your hands visible and inform them during the initial contact that you have a CCW and are lawfully armed. I always recommend to actually use the word lawfully when you tell him/her.

You will get a lot of random advice. The biggest piece of advice I can give is not to reach for anything unless you are asked (whether you are carrying or not). It will raise suspicions that you are either reaching for something dangerous and/or hiding something. Also, respect goes a long way and is often a two way street.

Most cops are pro 2a. There are obviously exceptions! The veteran/rookie cop thing is also a bit of a myth. One of the worst reactions I have seen to a CCW holder was from a 15 year vet when I was relatively new. He literally had people responding code 3 to him for a CCW holder with a holstered firearm!

Like I said earlier, usually when I stopped someone with a CCW, it was the end of our conversation. The exception was when I was working a traffic grant, etc when I would write the ticket.

[Whites of Their Eyes]

I prefer to get my rummaging around finished before a nervous armed person is standing at my driver side window.

I tell people regularly you are an adult and will make your own decision. All I will do is offer advice. It is up to you whether or not you want to take it...

[sfe187]

great. another douche driving with cell phone. if you can't follow one law how can you follow another??

[NorCalBusa]

C'mon guys. The interaction isn't a hostile one or one that you must behave like one of those weird guys that video stalk a police station. How about you just have a conversation in normal tones about something important? There's no magic, no secret code or handshake- just a dialogue about something important to each of you.

[Citadelgrad87]

I prefer to get my rummaging around finished before a nervous armed person is standing at my driver side window.

They can see you rummaging, even at night, before they approach.

How is possibly grabbing a weapon before they get to the window better than doing it while standing there, from the officers perspective?

As someone who has some training in conducting traffic stops, i wait until they are at the window, tell me what they want, then get verbal confirmation they want me to rummage.

[Whites of Their Eyes]

C'mon guys. The interaction isn't a hostile one or one that you must behave like one of those weird guys that video stalk a police station. How about you just have a conversation in normal tones about something important? There's no magic, no secret code or handshake- just a dialogue about something important to each of you.

Haha, maybe we should start a secret handshake!

[Deedle]

How is possibly grabbing a weapon before they get to the window better than doing it while standing there, from the officers perspective?

Having my hands at 10 and 2 papers ready and dome on is better. I've never had a complaint or any sort of negative interaction because of this, but I don't 'rummage'. I reach into the compartment where I store the papers (varies by car but it's dedicated to the task always) and switch on the dome light if it's dark. For instance on my sedan there is a little compartment near my left knee, and in the new car there is a cubby near my right wrist. Can be done in a handful of seconds, literally.

[Whites of Their Eyes]

Having my hands at 10 and 2 papers ready and dome on is better. I've never had a complaint or any sort of negative interaction because of this, but I don't 'rummage'. I reach into the compartment where I store the papers (varies by car but it's dedicated to the task always) and switch on the dome light if it's dark. For instance on my sedan there is a little compartment near my left knee, and in the new car there is a cubby near my right wrist. Can be done in a handful of seconds, literally.

You already know we don't agree on the other stuff (and we don't have to), but the dome light is always a good idea at night.

[Deedle]

You already know we don't agree on the other stuff (and we don't have to), but the dome light is always a good idea at night.

I don't get pulled over much but over the years I've been thanked more than once for having all that crap ready to go. YMMV.

[Whites of Their Eyes]

I don't get pulled over much but over the years I've been thanked more than once for having all that crap ready to go. YMMV.

Most of my getting pulled over was in my younger days haha.

[Irvine]

Hi all:

For Orange County: Here's the current policy regarding informing the Deputy or Officer:>

"If contacted by a law enforcement officer for any reason, and the license holder is armed, the license holder shall immediately inform the officer they are a CCW licensee and when the officer requests the license holder’s CCW license, the license holder will provide their CCW license as proof they are legally carrying a concealed weapon."

It can be downloaded here:>

http://www.ocsd.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=73535

Carry safe, friends.