CCW Contact Question

[IVC]

I received my CCW a few days back and started carrying in more controlled environments to work out any issues and see how it feels - a long walk/hike with my dog yesterday and a motorcycle ride today.

While I was riding, I remembered a few months back having a friendly encounter/chat with a motorcycle officer. We ended up next to each other while turning left and started chatting, everything from how he likes his BMW (I ride a Street Glide) to how he loves "being paid to ride." At the time, I didn't have my CCW (and, obviously, didn't carry), but it made me think today about the correct protocol in similar situations. Not just the legal requirements, but opinions of the actual LEOs who meet all sorts of people on a daily basis.

So, I would normally identify myself as carrying in any formal encounter even if not required. This is just to make the encounter safer and make sure there are no misunderstandings.

However, in *informal* encounters, what is the correct or the preferred protocol? It wouldn't feel right to bring up CCW if I am just having a brief chat, but where is the line where it might be a good idea to disclose I am armed?

Socially, it would seem too up front to bring up guns immediately, but on the other hand, if I'm in a position where the officer can figure out I'm armed, I want to make sure he doesn't make any wrong assumptions.

Thoughts?

[Cokebottle]

Verify with your IA, but generally, informal contact is not "contact"... it is simply an encounter with a friendly stranger.
You would not notify if you were standing in line at Starbucks and a cop is in front of you.

Remember that California does not have a law that requires you to notify, but Riverside SD may have that policy. My IA does not *require*, but they do recommend doing so, and during an encounter where you provide your ID, the officer may have access to your CCW status.
The DUI Checkpoint scenario has been discussed and there has been no consensus or solid answers from IAs.... my attitude is that it goes back to whether or not I am going to be providing ID, which at a DUI, Border Patrol, or Agricultural checkpoint, I am not.

[CBR_rider]

1) IMO, you have it "right" when it comes to any kind of official contact (and of course as Cokebottle stated; be sure you know your IA's specific policy on identifying oneself as armed/notifying them of contact). I like to describe it as essentially if you provide ID/full name; it is a good idea to ID oneself/notify IA. I know that this isn't 100% required; but again that is my good "rule of thumb" for folks who are unsure.

2) Unless it was brought it up because it was somehow relevant to the conversation at hand; I wouldn't notify anyone I was armed in most informal encounters. And I wouldn't expect folks to do so to me when I am in uniform; either. But obviously there are tens of thousands of LEO's in the state so YMMV..

3) I guess related to #2 above; there could be some odd situations you may run into like: a friend was hanging out fishing with a bunch of LEO's (several he knew; but some new guys he hadn't met before) when he decided to bring out a realistic looking BB gun to show the guys he knew. Several of the "new guys" started reaching for their guns when they saw him round the corner unexpectedly with a "rifle" in his hands while walking straight at them. Now obviously these dudes were a little bit jumpy; but I think you get the idea.

If you are riding and have your gun in a shoulder holster but are going to unzip your jacket to show the LEO a map or something you have in your jacket pocket; maybe you should let him know about the gun in your shoulder rig/etc

[Yodaman]

Always as your IA. Opinions will vary:


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[ZirconJohn]

[beachtech]

My CCW is only revealed if an Officer asks for my ID

At which time I will hand to Officer both my CDL and CCW License
....

Other than that - concealed means concealed, even in conversation

Perfect advice. If an LEO ask for my ID or name (like a traffic stop), they will get my ID and CCW card. On an official encounter like a traffic stop, the LEO should be notified. Other than that, no one needs to know.

My neighbor is CHP. We are pretty good friends. I hang out at his house from time to time. Our kids know and play with each other. We talk a little about guns, but mostly about other outdoor activities. Typical "solve the world's problems" guy talk. I'm always carrying and have never told him. But I also don't tell anyone other than my wife and kids. Not even my parents or siblings know I carry. The only people that need to know actually know.

Concealed means concealed.

[castgold]

As I understand it, the permit is presented on official contact when a peace officer is communicating in the capacity of duties, not casual conversation. If you are a witness or giving a statement to an event being reported to law enforcement, I suspect these would be examples of official contact.

[TrailerparkTrash]

[SMarquez]

Not a LEO but my first encounter was a non-injury TC where i had the gun unloaded and locked up. Advised the LEO I had a CCW and wanted to remove the gun. He asked to look at my CCW. Did not run it. I reported to my IA and it was no big deal. Yesterday I was broke down with my travel trailer waiting for roadside assistance. Two CHP officers at separate times stopped to see if I needed help. One right after I stopped, the other while the trailer was being repaired. Neither asked for my ID, only was I OK and did I need anything and were both on their way withing 5 minutes. I was carrying at the time but did not ID as such since it was not a formal interaction.

[IVC]

Looks like the consensus is that it's best to talk about CCW only when the contact is official and the LEO requests identification.

Thank you to all who responded.