Ammunition = Probable cause?

[Mr.1904]

So yesterday i was cleaning out my car. I came across one, solitary round of .223 in my backseat (most likely from our last BLM outing)

My question is: Does ammunition constitute probable cause for search?? Or since ammunition is perfectly legal to transport is it exempt from probable cause?

My thinking would be if an officer spots ammunition, they're most likely going to ask you if you have any firearms in the car to go along with ammunition, and would said ammunition give the officer enough probable cause to search for said firearm.

Just something i was wondering, and thought this was an appropriate place to post.

Thanks in advance!

[em9sredbeam]

From what I have heard from an officer friend of mine it is enough for probable cause, especially if you don't profile well. So is an empty magazine, brass casings, and holsters.

[Turo]

*Not a LEO*

Legally no. A round of ammunition is not in and of itself probable cause. If, however, there had recently been a bank robbery in the area where the perp used an AR-15 style weapon, and you had .223 casings, a magazine, and a ski mask sitting in the back seat, expect some questions.

[Mr.1904]

*Not a LEO*

Legally no. A round of ammunition is not in and of itself probable cause. If, however, there had recently been a bank robbery in the area where the perp used an AR-15 style weapon, and you had .223 casings, a magazine, and a ski mask sitting in the back seat, expect some questions.

Haha well obviously. I would even be alright with that situation.

But the above posters post on how if you don't profile right.... Well, i have previously not profiled right and pulled out of the car for a few things that were grey area AT BEST.

That's what i'm trying to get the answer too. Is there any chance i could be subjected to search by the presence of ammunition. Short of being in the same area of an armed bank robbery where the perp used an AR-15

Let me ask it this way. If an officer wanted to search my car. Could he use ammunition as an excuse to get into said car. Easier put this way i guess. Let's not even stop short of ammo. Mags, mag loader, targets, earpro, etc.

Just trying to limit my LE experiences to just license, registration, proof of insurance and please sign here and have a nice day.

[4DMASTR]

Just trying to limit my LE experiences to just license, registration, proof of insurance and please sign here and have a nice day.

While my Mustang itself is a ticket waiting to happen its a once in a while driver. My DD Escort is plain stock and I keep it cleaned out. I may be wrong but if the cop sees nothing questionable, he wont question it. When I go shooting anything and everything related goes in the trunk to avoid drawing looks from 5-0 and would be thieves.

Regardless of being pulled over many many times for one reason or another I have never once had a cop even ask to search my vehicle.

[Mr.1904]

While my Mustang itself is a ticket waiting to happen its a once in a while driver. My DD Escort is plain stock and I keep it cleaned out. I may be wrong but if the cop sees nothing questionable, he wont question it. When I go shooting anything and everything related goes in the trunk to avoid drawing looks from 5-0 and would be thieves.

Regardless of being pulled over many many times for one reason or another I have never once had a cop even ask to search my vehicle.

ok, well i have; and unlike you, i only have one vehicle.

The question is if the officer sees ammunition or anything related to firearms is it probable cause to get into the car.

[khw9mm]

*Not a LEO*

Legally no. A round of ammunition is not in and of itself probable cause. If, however, there had recently been a bank robbery in the area where the perp used an AR-15 style weapon, and you had .223 casings, a magazine, and a ski mask sitting in the back seat, expect some questions.

LOL!!

[BigDogatPlay]

A visible round of ammunition = reasonable suspicion of what crime?

Unless the driver (assuming in the car by themselves) is a prohibited person and it's ordinary ammo, not tracer, incendiary or AP (and most officers might not know out of the ordinary ammo by sight) then there is no crime committed. No crime = no search.

Having said that, if I see ammo in the car and depending on the totality of the circumstances, I may ask if you have firearms in the car. But that's an entirely different thread which has been discussed a thousand times.

[Ron-Solo]

This subject has been tossed about ad nauseum in this forum. By itself, no, it is not probable cause. It can be a building block toward PC when combined with other factors.

[Notorious]

You can have a thousand rounds in the car and as long as it is not prohibited (tracer, incendiary, explosive) and you are not prohibited from owning it for whatever reason... and it's not stolen or I am not investigating a recent robbery of a case of ammo, or you don't have open alcoholic containers stacked in the ammo boxes, etc., you get the point, I won't have anything more than any other Joe Citizen carrying anything else that is legal in the car. Capische?

[geeknow]

*capice*

It's an Italian thing.

;-)

[fighterpilot562]

I dont think they do unlesss they said a robbery just happened

[Notorious]

*capice*

It's an Italian thing.

;-)

Caprice!

It's an old American cop thing...

Thanks for the assist.

[geeknow]

Caprice!

It's an old American cop thing...

Thanks for the assist.

lol. touche.

[Ron-Solo]