Question about how to answer an LEO...

[ASTMedic]

I've asked the question of both depts that I've had a LTC with. Should I or shouldn't I advise an officer during official contact? Some LTC require notifying but these agencies doesn't. First dept official said not unless my CCW was going to be seen during my contact with the officer. The second dept said yes to always advise the officer.

Of all the ways to respond "yes" I think just saying yes is a good way to get a gun screwed into your ear. Say "I'm on my way to the range and have my gun/guns locked in the *blank* that's in the *blank*". I'm not a LEO but if one of my patients was in the back after a vehicle accident and said "I have a gun" by the time they finished the word gun they'd be the only person left in the back of my rig, moving or not. You tell me you have your CCW on your person then I'll most likely "say ok let's see about getting that secured."

I like the approach to a traffic stop of handing the officer your DL and LTC together and keeping my hands on the steering wheel and wait for them to make the next move. It's not my place to reinvent the legal system on the street at 11:30 at night. I'm trying to keep the situation as calm and safe as I can.

[ASTMedic]

It is my understanding you can keep quiet about your LTC but the officer (in many states) gets an alert when he runs your license, especially if you are in the same state that you are pulled over in and issued your CCW.
Stated in in previous posts and one I am keeping with is to answer "Under advise of counsel I would not like to answer any questions that don't pertain to the reason you pulled me over"

If your LTC says on it you must notify then you must notify. Just like if it says you can't carry in a place that is posted with a "no weapons" sign and you do they can pull your LTC.

LTC to my knowledge only shows up if the local agency runs your DL. It's not tied to a state D-base.

[kaligaran]

If your LTC says on it you must notify then you must notify. Just like if it says you can't carry in a place that is posted with a "no weapons" sign and you do they can pull your LTC.

LTC to my knowledge only shows up if the local agency runs your DL. It's not tied to a state D-base.

I asked this question in my CCW class here and they are not linked in the state or counties.

Also, the CCW doesn't say anything about restrictions for carry or LE notification. Can't speak for all counties but the one I'm in doesn't.

[SVT-40]

Lying to a police officer is not a good way to start any contact.

Cops are trained and experts in detecting diversions from the truth.

Be honest because if you are licensed you are not doing anything illegal.

If you lie, a cop will in all likelihood pick up on your dishonesty and try and find out why you are lying , which could be to conceal criminal behavior.

This will only prolong the stop (and justifiably so) as the cop is investigating what he believes to be a lie, which could lead him to uncover criminal behavior.

More folks lie themselves into trouble than they do by being honest.

[kaligaran]

If possible, let's pretend that you are INCAPABLE of lying since that wasn't the point of the question and keep it at that. Please.

I appreciate everyone's responses but never did I imply or ask if I someone should lie to an LEO. I really don't want this thread to derail into that as I'm really interested in the feedback from our fellow calgunners that are LEOs.

The intent of my question was to find out if there was a correct way to respond to questions related to firearms during a stop when you are legally carrying that would prevent any further problems, complications, searches or patdowns.

edit: so far the responses have been:
1. you can stay quiet until asked then keep hands on the wheels and stay honest
2. don't respond with anything vague
3. give the leo your license and CCW if applicable at the beginning of the stop.

Thanks again to those that did respond.

[yzErnie]

LTC to my knowledge only shows up if the local agency runs your DL. It's not tied to a state D-base.

Your DL is on a state data base not a local data base so this info is flawed.

[DriftinG Z32]

Just be honest and get the LE contact/stop over with. Why prolong it with some "BS" answers? Some people are just paranoid I guess...

[ASTMedic]

Your DL is on a state data base not a local data base so this info is flawed.

My error. What I meant to say was in my county my LTC shows up when they run my DL. This is only when my local SO runs my DL. If I leave my county then unless I tell them they don't know I have a LTC. My old issuing agency didn't do this.

[bob7122]

here is a crazy idea, how about you drive safe and in an orderly manner so that you don't have to ponder this question. when i drive with guns i drive on the right lane at the speed limit. not only that but i make sure i do not look like anything other than a clean cut person who is going camping or to some other place that does not remotely hint to being connected to guns.

[retired]

I really don't want this thread to derail into that as I'm really interested in the feedback from our fellow calgunners that are LEOs.

This was the intent of the OP; obtaining info from leos. Seems pretty simple to me.

Since enough info has been provided by both leos and non leos, the OP and his wife should be able to start the process to resolve the issue.