Probably been asked.

[Odinthor]

I would like to get some LEO's personal opinions on private citizen concealed carry, and CA becoming a must issue state soon. Do you agree and support this or is it more like a worst nightmare coming true? I have spoken to several LASD and LAPD officers that ride the same trains I do and their opinions vary, just trying to get more of an overall feel for different areas.

[teg33]

So far I know, LAPD Chief Beck is openly against it

[Odinthor]

Well I understand the increased danger to officers with the allowance of anyone carring a firearm in a car, traffic stops (especially in LA) could be riskier. However, anyone who would take a shot at a cop or do something really dumb most likely would carry a gun illegally anyway so the law abiding person carrying a gun shouldn't really be as much of a worry IMO

[retired]

I'm retired 11yrs. now from LASD, but I have always been in favor of concealed carry for any citizen who qualifies. That has not changed since retiring. I believe you will find those active and retired leos who are members of Calguns believe the same, tho I do not speak for them.

[Doc Hawk]

It's complicated.

More people end up carrying, so your likelihood of encountering a firearm during a routine contact increases. That's uncomfortable. LE contact is almost always unwelcome by *someone* in a situation, so introducing firearms on the public side of an interaction that is, by definition, unwelcome, can lead to poor outcomes. A sense of personal empowerment can lead to noncooperation with lawful orders that may have been followed had the person been submissive. All hypotheticals, but they play out on the street.

Conversely, the bad guys were packing before, anyway. Further, overall crime drops because predators cannot be sure which potential victims are armed.

The benefits outweigh the drawbacks; I'm in support of lawful CCW.

[P5Ret]

I'm retired 11yrs. now from LASD, but I have always been in favor of concealed carry for any citizen who qualifies. That has not changed since retiring. I believe you will find those active and retired leos who are members of Calguns believe the same, tho I do not speak for them.

I agree with this 100%. I've been retired about the same amount of time. I would bet that "man with a gun" calls are going to increase should all the ducks line up and concealed carry comes to pass in Ca. The one thing that should be stressed in any cc training class is, don't get stupid or self-righteous when confronted by le they are probably there because someone called, and or something happened to draw their attention to you. Be smart and there will be no issues.

[oddjob]

I'm retried as well and support ccw, but this is probably the wrong place to ask. The fact that a LEO is on this forum indicates a pro-gun attitude thus your findings will be invalidated amongst Calif LEO's as a whole.

[Bailer]

Well I understand the increased danger to officers with the allowance of anyone carring a firearm in a car, traffic stops (especially in LA) could be riskier. However, anyone who would take a shot at a cop or do something really dumb most likely would carry a gun illegally anyway so the law abiding person carrying a gun shouldn't really be as much of a worry IMO

IMO, the danger to officers is not increased at all. There is nothing preventing our residents from carrying guns on them now, other than some words on a paper saying its unlawful for them to do so. The general character and morality of the citizenry is what ensures LEO/non-LEO interactions go smoothly. Basically, the law abiding folks will continue to obey the laws, while the criminals will continue to break them.

[Che762x39]

My opinion is going to come from left field.

I always have been concerned about blue on blue shootings. It does happen and I can think about three times I almost killed a off duty or undercover officer.

Now we will add somebody who wants to be a good samaritan who will likely be in "tunnel vision" mode and will get dumped when he does not comply to an "alpha personality" officer like myself. Years ago I remember one market robbery where the owner's wife was working and she called her husband/owner and pushed the silent alarm. Her husband appeared with a handgun the same time the first unit got on scene. He died right there.

So I am 50/50. Plus we have not even talked about the aftermath of a shooting. That is another dynamic.

[CBR_rider]

My 2cents:

Like Che, I also think that the more guns being carried by people out and about does increase the risk (however slight, if its a 1% increase its still an increase) of "good guys" getting shot, "good guys" getting pissed off for being cited/stopped and pulling their guns (even if they "didn't intend to use it")/getting drunk and doing something stupid/etc. That being said, I think that slight increase of negative situations I described is far outweighed by increase in public safety overall due to normal, law abiding folks being able to legally carry as they go about their lives.

Additionally, just as I think there might be an increased (however slight it may/may not be) risk of "good guys" getting shot in violent situations/doing stupid things, I also think that there may be a slight increase of "good guys" coming to a LEO's aid properly armed in a violent situation, if that makes sense.

I have had people come to my aid out in the field (twice, I think), and though I wound up not needing them (I wound up getting the bad guy under control as they ran up) it was nice to know that if things had gone even more sideways I would've had a helping hand.

[cruising7388]

don't get stupid or self-righteous when confronted by le they are probably there because someone called, and or something happened to draw their attention to you. Be smart and there will be no issues.

This should be engraved on every vehicle dashboard.

[Tacobandit]

Its no different then when i pull over another cop. Now if the guy starts giving me attitude i would probably disarm or get him away from the weapon until im done then cite him and move on.

[Bailer]

An officers presence and professionalism will help avoid the types of situations discussed here. I work with many LEO's who tend to escalate situations that needn't be escalated simply because they would rather show their sack in public. Or they feel that the person they were dealing with did not give them proper deference. Whenever I'm dealing with someone who wants to bait me into their waters, I don't oblige them. I'd rather have a discussion than a fist fight.

[OneNcustdy]

I'm still working and I treat everyone as if they are armed. Does that mean I pull my firearm out every contact, no. I can be stabbed with a knife while doing a field interview just as quick as I can get shot. The key is making sure your contact is calm, within the scope of your duty not just to be a jerk. The average law abiding citizen continues to be law abiding while they are carrying. Key word LAW ABIDING.

Each subject I have contacted while they were carrying, informed me up front, told me where it was and asked me to retrieve the weapon and secure it while the contact, not including car stops. The subjects on car stops kept there hands on the steering wheel informed me they were carrying and would ask to retrieve their wallet only when ordered. Each time they have been courteous and respectful. Those cited acknowledge they were speeding and didn't argue at all. I'm sure some people I have contacted didn't inform me they were armed but again, on car stops although nothing is routine, it doesn't mean we go over board.

I would suggest talking to agencies in Texas or other CCW states and speak with their officers who have been contacting subjects like this all the time. Law Abiding citizens aren't contacted as much as those who are breaking laws which IMO would not equate to how you different you should train.

[Odinthor]

Will be doing. Thank you all for your input. I speak with several LAPD and LASD officers everyday on the trains in and out of LA and there are just so many understandable reasons for both sides from their point of view, even though I strongly advocate for must issue CCWs I see why some don't want it.