Question (ask LEO about duty weapon)

[Mr.1904]

So yesterday my buddy gets pulled over by CHP. Fair and square.

While he was asking all the routine questions, where ya headed, why were you driving so fast blah blah i was trying to identify what he was carrying. it kind of looked like a double stacked 1911. Turned out it was a smith and wesson .40

But not the point, through his sunglasses he looked quite nervous and cautious of my interest in his firearm. (he had approached us on the passenger side where i was sitting). Once he came back with the ticket i just straight asked what it was and he got increasingly weird about it.

Is it weird for me to ask what an officer is carrying? i mean i understand the need to always be aware, alert, and on point. But it made me feel like i was making him uncomfortable and he was definitely not friendly about it.

Just curious

[ChrisTKHarris]

His gun is a S&W 4006 btw.

[9mmepiphany]

The look of someone interested in identifying what an officer is carrying, looks just like the look of someone weighing the odds of being able to take the gun away from an officer...really

I don't think he handled it very well, but I'm not intimate with CHP training either. When someone used to take an interest in my duty gun, on a call, I'd just ask, "Did you want to know something about my gun?" It clarifies what their interest is and at the same time lets them know that I am aware of their unusual interest.

For future reference, the best time to ask about a duty gun would be after they have completed the business of the stop...otherwise it can be taken as an intentional distraction

[yzErnie]

The look of someone interested in identifying what an officer is carrying, looks just like the look of someone weighing the odds of being able to take the gun away from an officer...really

^^^This^^^

The only thing I would say is I wasn't there and I cannot judge whether he handled it appropriately or not. For the above stated reasoning, I do know when someone pays extra interest to my sidearm it does raise my sense of awareness. We issue Glocks and I carry a Sig TacOps, people notice that difference and ask why I have a different gun and ask what it is. I have no problem telling them what it is and the fact that I don't like polymer guns for duty use. Most understand.

[9mmepiphany]

I always carried a non-issue duty gun...I would usually tell them, "I was Special" or "Why be like everyone else?"

It can be an ice breaker...but then responding to someone's home on a call is very different than a vehicle stop. There is more inherent danger associated with the stop

[SoCalDep]

Years ago I had inmates (who are always overly perceptive) notice I carried a .45 (HK USP45). Now I don't get the comment so much, but people seem to notice I'm not carrying the usual Beretta and will ask what I'm carrying (Sig P226R). If I think it's genuine curiosity I have no problem talking about my duty pistol. It's no secret...

If I feel like it's someone trying to scam or play games, I'll be short. People see the "different" gun and assume it's a .45. I tell them it's a 9mm, there's 21 rounds in it, and I'm a good shot. That usually ends the conversation.

Some cops are into guns and some aren't.

I remember in high school I helped organize a health day with various presentations and booths. CHP was there with the anti-DUI booth with the crashed car and all. I asked the CHP officer if she was carrying a 4006 and she said "I don't know...It's a Smith & Wesson .40". I was shocked she didn't know the model of her own pistol, but I've learned there is so much more to police work that many great cops aren't "gun" people.

[Caresq1]

It all falls back to the time and place ... If I'm standing in line buying a soda and someone asks about my gun (I carry an HK45 so it draws looks) I'm more than happy to talk with them about it. If it's 0200 and two guys on parole, I may not be so inclined to talk about it. So once again, there is a time an a place for everything. And like SoCalDep said, some cops are into guns and don't mind talking shop and others only have one cause its issued and required.

[bluesmoke9]

The look of someone interested in identifying what an officer is carrying, looks just like the look of someone weighing the odds of being able to take the gun away from an officer...really

I don't have much to add to the other comments; only to say that, IMO, as soon as most officers sense you're interested in their gun/holster they go to DEFCON II. They are now focused on how much of a threat you are and how they are going to respond to it should you make a move. Sure, everyone is different and some guys can plan your death with a smile on their face but most are going to react like anybody else and show it. And even if you follow it up with an innocent question the guy's spring is already wound and that isn't going away until you're gone. I wasn't there but that's my take on what happened.

[Notorious]

I carry a G34 so it looks just like a G17 in the holster so no problems there.

[22348b cvc]

His gun is a S&W 4006 btw.

To be more specific it is a S&W 4006 TSW

[Mr.1904]

Yea like i said i was just curious. I can understand being aware, alert, and on point like i stated above. Was just wondering the general take on what everyone else thought. With this being a law enforcement thread i thought it was appropriate.

Thanks guys.

[PandaLuv]

Years ago I had inmates (who are always overly perceptive) notice I carried a .45 (HK USP45). Now I don't get the comment so much, but people seem to notice I'm not carrying the usual Beretta and will ask what I'm carrying (Sig P226R). If I think it's genuine curiosity I have no problem talking about my duty pistol. It's no secret...

If I feel like it's someone trying to scam or play games, I'll be short. People see the "different" gun and assume it's a .45. I tell them it's a 9mm, there's 21 rounds in it, and I'm a good shot. That usually ends the conversation.

Some cops are into guns and some aren't.

I remember in high school I helped organize a health day with various presentations and booths. CHP was there with the anti-DUI booth with the crashed car and all. I asked the CHP officer if she was carrying a 4006 and she said "I don't know...It's a Smith & Wesson .40". I was shocked she didn't know the model of her own pistol, but I've learned there is so much more to police work that many great cops aren't "gun" people.

Aren't many cops anti gun anyways?
I want to be a cop, but I love guns for another reason. If I loved guns so much, I would join the military instead.
I remember when I worked at starbucks few years back, I asked a High School cop what he was carrying, it was a 1911 (back then I didn't know anything about guns). Then I asked him why he likes it better than a glock because I wanted one once I would turn 21, he responded "You should not get any guns at all, they kill people, you know "....
I couldn't believe a cop said it to me.

[Captain Neon]

I saw an LAPD detective pull his pistol ( Beretta 92 ) out of its holster to impress a girl when she asked what kind of gun he had. He kept it pointed straight down so he didn't muzzle sweep anyone.

So if you ask nice you can get a good look at an officer's duty weapon. Helps if you're a pretty girl, though.

[Notorious]

Aren't many cops anti gun anyways?
I want to be a cop, but I love guns for another reason. If I loved guns so much, I would join the military instead.
I remember when I worked at starbucks few years back, I asked a High School cop what he was carrying, it was a 1911 (back then I didn't know anything about guns). Then I asked him why he likes it better than a glock because I wanted one once I would turn 21, he responded "You should not get any guns at all, they kill people, you know "....
I couldn't believe a cop said it to me.

Wow... You want to be a cop with that attitude? Many cops anti-gun? What about us? I think there are more of us than the gun haters.

On a day to day basis, we are in contact with weapons a lot more than the military. Unless you are in a warzone and you are actually doing some fighting or base security, don't even think about touching a gun. They'll be locked in the armory.

There are people in the military that also don't like guns and unlike us, they have career choices that can keep them far far away from guns. They will only suffer through a few weeks in boot where they have to touch a gun. Most of boot is gun free too, by the way.

Cops are required to wear a gun at work at least until they get enough years to be admin and not do it by choice but make no mistake, even the most ardent anti-gun cop will strap on a gun when rolling to a crime scene.

[PandaLuv]

Wow... You want to be a cop with that attitude? Many cops anti-gun? What about us? I think there are more of us than the gun haters.

On a day to day basis, we are in contact with weapons a lot more than the military. Unless you are in a warzone and you are actually doing some fighting or base security, don't even think about touching a gun. They'll be locked in the armory.

There are people in the military that also don't like guns and unlike us, they have career choices that can keep them far far away from guns. They will only suffer through a few weeks in boot where they have to touch a gun. Most of boot is gun free too, by the way.

Cops are required to wear a gun at work at least until they get enough years to be admin and not do it by choice but make no mistake, even the most ardent anti-gun cop will strap on a gun when rolling to a crime scene.

Sorry for misunderstanding. What I meant by that statement is that many cops discourage civilians to support their second amendment.
I didn't say that cops don't use guns, and you're right. LEOs have their guns on them at all times, even when they're not on duty. What I meant it is that I would join the military just because I wanted to shoot guns.
Also, I didn't directly call you an anti gunner. No disrespect, please. I apologize if I did.