Got pulled over on the way home from picking up a gun

[Norsemen308]

I have a question.. So I am asking the LEO's what I should say, Yesterday I took possesion of a SKS rifle, on my way home I was pulled over, Officer asked if I knew why he pulled me over and I responded I did not know. He then told me it was for my tail lights being out. I have a NRA sticker on my back window (which I am now considering taking off). He then said, "NRA member?" I said yes lifetime, and then he asked if there were any guns in the car. to which i responded "which tail lights are out? Is it the one on the cab or both on the bed?" To which he responded its your left side. I then told him it so happens I have a screw driver and spare bulbs can I replace it now so I wont be cited? He said it was all okay said for me to go home replace the bulb and don't let him catch me the rest of the night with tail lights out. So I went on my merry way. Now my question is, would have there been any better response? Or something thats the generic answer to that question..


I must be skittish still to what happened with my last leo encounter, I just have heard the horror stories of people who have said yes and then had their truck ripped apart.

[Josh3239]

I thought you handled it well under the circumstances. The tail light being out really gave you an easy segue.

[Garand1911]

If the gun is in the trunk, where it should be, then you can say "there are no firearms in the passenger compartment" or something to that affect.

[JS89]

If you are not partaking in any illegal activity, then why not tell the truth? Saying "there are not any weapons in the passenger compartment," would be a trigger for most officers. After all, a large aspect of being a law enforcement officer involves investigations, it is a huge part of the job. The best thing to do, is to be honest and up front.

[Josh3239]

Have you ever read the threads where the Calgunner is honest? In all the ones I have read on here, only one LEO didn't pull the Calgunner outta the car and check his stuff. Very few didn't confiscate the firearm. That is why not answering the question or lying is a better route. That sounds bad, but loosing your gun sounds worse. I'd hate to get a rep for lying, but I'd hate to lose my gun more. Better yet, why answer the question if it is unrelated to the stop?

If you are not partaking in any illegal activity, then why not tell the truth? Saying "there are not any weapons in the passenger compartment," would be a trigger for most officers. After all, a large aspect of being a law enforcement officer involves investigations, it is a huge part of the job. The best thing to do, is to be honest and up front.

[Norsemen308]

I was in my truck and it was in the back seat... Was that illegal? I didn't want to stick it in the bed to slide around.

[Josh3239]

No. In fact you could had your SKS sitting in the passenger seat with its bayonet sticking out of the sun roof.

I was in my truck and it was in the back seat... Was that illegal? I didn't want to stick it in the bed to slide around.

[Norsemen308]

i have a feeling ^^^ was sarcasm

[capo]

i have a feeling ^^^ was sarcasm

Nope he's right. As long as it isn't loaded, it can be sitting on your passenger seat atop a pile of ammo and it is legal.

[Josh3239]

Nope.

SHOTGUNS AND RIFLES
Nonconcealable firearms (rifles and shotguns) are not generally covered within the provisions of California Penal Code section 12025 and therefore are not required to be transported in a locked container. However, as with any firearm, nonconcealable firearms must be unloaded while they are being transported. A rifle or shotgun that is defined as an assault weapon pursuant to Penal Code 12276 or 12276.1 must be transported in accordance with Penal Code section 12026.1.


http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/travel.php

[elnielsen]

Very few didn't confiscate the firearm.

??? What? why are people getting their firearms confiscated? If you are transporting them legally this shouldn't be happening? I drove home tonight with a shotgun in a box (with a lock in the action) on my passenger seat and I didn't worry about it none. The box has a DROS copy taped to it.

I would definately want to know about something like this. I opt to not carry firearms regularly at the moment, however I intend to legally carry a firearm in the future, and definitely on backwoods camping trips and such.

[JS89]

Have you ever read the threads where the Calgunner is honest? In all the ones I have read on here, only one LEO didn't pull the Calgunner outta the car and check his stuff. Very few didn't confiscate the firearm. That is why not answering the question or lying is a better route. That sounds bad, but loosing your gun sounds worse. I'd hate to get a rep for lying, but I'd hate to lose my gun more. Better yet, why answer the question if it is unrelated to the stop?

You would be amazed at the number of people who are stopped daily in California with firearms. In most instances, a quick check of the gun and that's that. Think about it, you are reading about stories on a website related to firearms. Most people are going to post their so called "horror" stories and not the "usual" encounter, so naturally all that you are going to hear about are the horror stories. Answer me this, what reason would someone have their gun taken away from them. Or better yet, what cause would a law enforcement officer have to take someones gun away from them if their is nothing illegal taking place? Maybe I am crazy, but I believe that honesty is the best policy.

[707electrician]

I think you handled it perfectly. Unless he has reasonable suspicion that you have committed a crime it is none of his business if you have any guns. No need to get all up in arms for him asking though, just doing his job. You handled it well by simply keeping the conversation on the subject of the reason you were stopped and the LEO handled it well by not trying to pry any further and understanding that you have rights.

[707electrician]

You would be amazed at the number of people who are stopped daily in California with firearms. In most instances, a quick check of the gun and that's that. Think about it, you are reading about stories on a website related to firearms. Most people are going to post their so called "horror" stories and not the "usual" encounter, so naturally all that you are going to hear about are the horror stories. Answer me this, what reason would someone have their gun taken away from them. Or better yet, what cause would a law enforcement officer have to take someones gun away from them if their is nothing illegal taking place? Maybe I am crazy, but I believe that honesty is the best policy.

Why take the risk when you legally do not have to? What if you were coming back from the range and forgot to unload the gun before you put it away? Then you get pulled over and, thinking you have not done anything wrong, you submit to a search after admitting you have a firearm in the car. The officer checks the gun and then arrests you for having a loaded, conceal firearm.

Whoops, all of that could have been avoided by politely refusing to answer the question.

[JS89]

If you don't know if your gun is loaded or unloaded, then you're an idiot and should not be in possession of a gun. Especially, when transporting a firearm. For that, I would hope that someone gets caught with an "accidentally" loaded firearm being transported in their vehicle, because if you're that negligent with a firearm, you should not have one.