When a cop pulls you over, does he automatically know you have guns?

[Oceanbob]

My plan has worked before.

What would you suggest just staying quiet or saying something along the lines of "I do not feel comfortable answering that question."

I intentionally lie.

No officer, I don't have any guns in my car.

And I've only been asked once in the last 5 years. Other times no mention has been made. I've had more than 100 handguns registered to me over the years; and I own more than 50 right now. So I doubt the Police can pull up my registered weapons (including my 11 Registered Assault Weapons) on a primary check of my Drivers License.

It is not against the law to lie to a Police officer. "If" they do a search anyway, and find my Legally Registered, unloaded Glock in my Locked Case I will just say "I forgot"....and then call GENE later to have him B-itch slap
the department.

[BayAreaShooter]

I intentionally lie.

No officer, I don't have any guns in my car.

And I've only been asked once in the last 5 years. Other times no mention has been made. I've had more than 100 handguns registered to me over the years; and I own more than 50 right now. So I doubt the Police can pull up my registered weapons (including my 11 Registered Assault Weapons) on a primary check of my Drivers License.

It is not against the law to lie to a Police officer. "If" they do a search anyway, and find my Legally Registered, unloaded Glock in my Locked Case I will just say "I forgot"....and then call GENE later to have him B-itch slap
the department.

I have heard in a few threads that it is not illegal to lie to a LEO in that situation. A LEO came in the thread and said something along the lines of while he was right if he finds a reason he will search your car, find the gun and do everything in his power to make your life as difficult as possible including towing your car and ripping it apart looking for anything else. this is what I am trying to avoid. I guess if you lie to a LEO and he has no reason to reasonably search your car you should be good to go.


EDIT: I found the thread I was talking about. I actually started it. Here is the quote and a link to the thread.

Be careful there. You can talk yourself into a Vehicle Code 31 or Penal Code 148 violation for lying to an officer who is doing a lawful investigation.

Also, if I ask you something after I pull you over, I am already at the point where I have at least reasonable suspicion, but most likely probable cause. If I develop more along the way and I get enough to search your car with or without consent, and you have lied to me and I now know you have lied, guess what?

Your car will be detail stripped during the inventory (car impounded due to driver arrested - CVC22651(h)) or plain view/smell or pursuant to the automobile exception or whatever else lets me get into the car because now I wonder what else did you lie about and what are you hiding?

I am not saying I am doing this to jack people up. Not at all, but I am doing my job as a police officer.

Now if you just simply tell me what's up, I do my thing, you'll be on your way. I have never messed with people who tell me the truth. I might arrest them if it is warranted, but I don't mess with them.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=370041&highlight=transporting+a+firearm

[Sub95]

it is not lying when you dont have anything "" illegal "" in the car/truck.

[paul0660]

Also, I do have a nasty little arrest on my record (dismissed ) that had a little bit to do with firearms. That could have been it.

Waited till post 30 to add that tidbit.

[Vinrx7]

It's VERY easy to tell when/if I have a gun in the car, I'm doing the speed limit.

Exactly! How about driving carefully and not getting pulled over. If they ask you if you have a weapon, you can't just say you don't have anything illegal. That's not answering the question.

[BayAreaShooter]

Exactly! How about driving carefully and not getting pulled over. If they ask you if you have a weapon, you can't just say you don't have anything illegal. That's not answering the question.

I almost always drive the speed limit but I have been pulled over for tail lights being out (when they were not) and not having a front license plate (different car) Even if you drive completely within all laws there is still a chance of being pulled over.

[bruss01]

EDIT: I found the thread I was talking about. I actually started it. Here is the quote and a link to the thread.



http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...ting+a+firearm

I think that's great, he sounds like a stand up guy and a straight arrow. The kind of guy I'd like as a friend and the kind we want patrolling our streets.

Making the assumption that all officers are likeminded, though, just because of this particular officer's post, is just that... an assumption. And probably one that is far from accurate.

[paul0660]

That's not answering the question.

An underlying point is that you don't have to answer any question.

[Sub95]

cop told me once, you can go buy a brand new car and we will find something on it too pull you over for it if we wanted too.

Last time i was pulled over, was for no mud flaps. 40" tires. which the law says i only have to make sure the mud flap goes down too half of the rim/tire. on a 40" tire might as well not have a mud flap lol the mud flaps dont cover where they need too by that law to stop throwing rocks.

[Cokebottle]

Why would you say yes? You're just inviting problems. Just don't answer the question.

Kinda hard not to say "yes" when you're driving an SUV down a road that only goes to a gun range with target stands, shot-up targets, and four Pelican cases in the back.

The Pelican cases themselves? No PC, really no RS.
Add in everything else, and even if you don't consent to a search, he has RS.

[Cokebottle]

I don't think they show up with a DL check but he could have asked if any were registered to that DL #.

Guns aren't registered to your DL.... they are registered to you.

You can buy a gun with a California ID, which will have a different number than your DL.

Yes, the officer can request a firearms registration record check, but he has to have damned good reason to do so, and it won't show your long guns, or handguns bought prior to 1991.

As to Peter's experience? Fishing expedition, and the cop was using the new "mega bait"
"I know you have guns" is a pretty safe bet among certain socio-economic groups.

[cortayack]

I can attest that a CHP officer knew I owned firearms when he pulled me over.

He asked about 5 times whether or not I had any guns in the car and made some comment to the effect of "I know you own guns; do you have any in the car."

+1 on this too..... I was pulled over by a CHP and he new I had guns.... I was asked were where my guns, then repeated you have registered guns, where do you keep them............

[tyrist]

They don't know; I could shed light on the mystery but then it would ruin the trick LEO use.

[modernchaos]

They don't know; I could shed light on the mystery but then it would ruin the trick LEO use.

Is it a magic trick? Because I love a good magic trick!!

[Peter W Bush]

...
As to Peter's experience? Fishing expedition, and the cop was using the new "mega bait"
"I know you have guns" is a pretty safe bet among certain socio-economic groups.

Exactly. You can bet that had I not been educated and that I actually DID have a firearm in the car (which I did NOT), I would have said something. There are many cases where an officer "knows" stuff that he actually doesn't. I could see it in his eyes that he was itching to search my car. His tone did change a bit when he saw my range bag though. I think he figured that I was an actual shooter instead of a "crazy gun owner" and he was a lot more relaxed at that point.

Guys that have range bags in their car are usually good, honest citizens in my book