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

[Agent Akin]

I almost wonder if getting an ID while one's DL was suspended would require a different number. After all, if the numbers were the same and the ID were run, it'd come back as suspended...?

*shrug*

[fleegman]

OFFICER: "Do you have any guns or drugs in the vehicle?"

ME: "Sure... whadaya need?"

[jonzer77]

I ask almost everyone I pull over if they have guns or drugs. If I act like I know they do, about 70% of the time they will tell me they if they do or not, and where they are.

I have been pulled over several times because I used to be into old muscle cars and I had a lead foot and I was never asked if I had drugs or alcohol in the car. Since I have changed my driving habits I have been pulled over a couple times in the past 5 years and I have still not been asked if I had either in the car. Not sure what your problem is or what area you patrol but that is not cool at all. If I have legally owned guns that are being properly transported then you don't have any business going through my car to make sure they are unloaded. That is the very meaning of a police state.

[Cokebottle]

+1

I've been asked if I'm on probation and if I've ever been arrested, but I've never been asked about guns, drugs, or alcohol.

[safewaysecurity]

I've only been asked if I was drinking once but never anything about guns or drugs

[chad68]

I was pulled over a few weeks ago by CHP for tinted side windows, yes I got ticketed for it as well. He asked me if I had any guns in my truck. I looked around my truck to see why he asked me that. I actually had to think about it for a few seconds too, as I was going to my parents house and sometimes bring guns over with me to shoot. I looked at him like huh what would make you ask that and he says I saw your HSC card in your wallet.

Dude must have eyes like a hawk.

[jonzer77]

I was pulled over a few weeks ago by CHP for tinted side windows, yes I got ticketed for it as well. He asked me if I had any guns in my truck. I looked around my truck to see why he asked me that. I actually had to think about it for a few seconds too, as I was going to my parents house and sometimes bring guns over with me to shoot. I looked at him like huh what would make you ask that and he says I saw your HSC card in your wallet.

Dude must have eyes like a hawk.

If you had your hsc then you most likely bought them legally so I really don't get why he would ask.

[Cuda440]

I was driving my work truck that's registered in my boss' name, and I was pulled over by CHP near lake Perris on Ramona Expressway for a cracked windshield.

The officer asked for my license and registration and went to his car. When he walked back to me 2 minutes later, he had his hand on his gun, and his exact words were:
"I see you own a gun. Do you have it with you?"

I was a little suprised, and I said:
"I own several guns, none of them are with me, I'm at work"

He replied:
"so, if I search the truck, I wont find a gun?"

I told him:
"there's nothing in here but tools and parts"

He let me go with a warning and said to get the windshield fixed. I dont know if he did any special checks, but with only my license and about 2 minute he definitly knew I owned a weapon.

[chad68]

Hey Cuda do you posses a guard card?

[cruising7388]

I ask almost everyone I pull over if they have guns or drugs. If I act like I know they do, about 70% of the time they will tell me they if they do or not, and where they are.

If you're really concerned about concealed weapons, you're really showing your negligence if you also aren't checking for condoms and Viagra.

[chad68]

If you had your hsc then you most likely bought them legally so I really don't get why he would ask.

I dunno. I guess for thier own safety they have the right to ask, just like when they frisk somebody they ask if they have any needles, knives or sharp objects on them.

On the other hand, It's kinda lame though because if somebody did have a gun illegally, I doubt they would say heck ya officer my illegal gun is loaded and behind the seat. They should know to treat every stop as if the person in the car has a loaded gun on their lap anyway.

[Mickael81]

Hmm... why are they asking if you have guns in the trunk? And what if you do, what's wrong with that? I live 15 mins from my local range and i always put my rifle, pistol, and range bag in the trunk. Where else am i expected to put it?

[Sub95]

I dunno. I guess for thier own safety they have the right to ask, just like when they frisk somebody they ask if they have any needles, knives or sharp objects on them.

On the other hand, It's kinda lame though because if somebody did have a gun illegally, I doubt they would say heck ya officer my illegal gun is loaded and behind the seat. They should know to treat every stop as if the person in the car has a loaded gun on their lap anyway.

It is there way into your car and you to search it if you say yes i have a Gun, as they think, why do you need to carry a gun, there thinking is you have something else in the car you should not have.

99.9% of the time there questions are bait... and we just reply back to them honestly thinking it is the correct thing to do and to get the traffic stop over. wrong, you will be there awhile. the cop is not a friend.

Basic Traffic stops should go like this.

get pulled over, cop asks for paper work, he runs it, he comes back, gives you a ticket. or not. done.

[xrMike]

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

Heheh, same here. About the only time I EVER obey the speed laws is when I have guns in the truck...

This happens all the time. NRA Sticker.

I've been pulled over at least 4 times in the last 15 years, always in an NRA-stickered vehicle, and NEVER been asked about firearms in the car, not once. Sticker is affixed to the right-side rear window, and cops always approach from the right side, so I KNOW they're seeing it.

[hasserl]

If you are transporting a firearm and they ask you if you have an guns in the car tell him yes. Then reiterate that you know he can legally check the firearm to make sure it is not loaded/not stolen but do not consent to any further search of your person or property. If he is accessing the area that your firearm is in and happens to see something illegal than thats your own fault and should not be transporting/owning anything illegal in the first place.

Oooo, bad advice!

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

Ooooo, good advice!

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

You simply tell him you do not answer questions, then you ask him if you are being detained, or are you free to go. He then has to make a decision whether to detain you or let you go. To detain you he has to have probable cause or reasonable suspicion, your retaining your 4th amendment rights does not constitute PC or RS. Which means he must end the fishing expedition and complete the reason he stopped you in the first place. If he asks you to exit the vehicle, roll up the windows, get out and lock the doors on your way out, and put the keys in your pocket. If he asks you why you locked it up tell him it is what you always do when you get out of your vehicle. Answer no other questions. Repeated ask him if you are being detained or are you free to go. Don't argue with him, don't get smart assed with him, and don't physically resist him in any way. If he violates your rights, there will be time to deal with it after the stop is over. The more you keep silent and resist answering questions, the more you repeat you do not agree to any searches, the better off you will be.