Author Topic: First CCW contact with LEO - positive (Read 4105 times)

Famous556 · « **on:** August 31, 2012, 11:23:16 PM »

Hi all,

So the other night I was driving down W Maple road in Omaha... The area at about 180th where its a 45mph zone that used to be a 55 for those of you who know the area. I was stopped for speeding 52 or so (LEO didn't say) in a 45 by Omaha PD. As the officer approached the car he started with the typical "Do you know why I stopped you..." I told him that I did and that I needed to inform him that I had a CCW permit and had a pistol in the vehicle. My pistol was holstered and in the glovebox at the time. He politely asked me to step out of the vehicle, and then ASKED me if he could control the firearm during the stop. I was surprised that he asked instead of just telling me, but I said that I understood and that was fine. He retrieved the handgun from the glovebox and proceeded back to his car with my CCW and DL. He told me before he did that I could get back in the car if I wanted.

A few minutes later he returned from his vehicle with my licenses and my handgun. He handed me the pistol and then my cards and gave me a stern verbal warning to slow down. After he took off I checked my handgun and was surprised to find that it was still loaded with a round in the chamber. I was surprised that he didn't unload the firearm as I thought this was pretty common in most folks interactions with LEO in this part of the state. Overall the stop was a positive experience and ticket or no ticket I was pleased with the way the officer handled the CCW part of the stop. I didn't perceive any of the "only ones" mentality from him at all. As far as him controlling the handgun for the duration of the stop... I see both sides. Informing him that I have it probably should tell him that I'm not planning to do any ill to him with it... However, we also don't know each other and he is covering his butt by taking it with him. Doesn't really matter to me much either way.

HuskerXDM · « **Reply #1 on:** September 01, 2012, 11:28:46 AM »

Thanks for sharing your positive experience.

Poor Man · « **Reply #2 on:** September 01, 2012, 06:45:08 PM »

I'd like to share my experience with LEO. Sometime ago I was stoped at a road check ( where every car is checked for lights etc. ) Upon handing the State Patrol Officer my drivers license and CHP, he asked if I was "carrying today" . I said yes, he asked what I was carrying, I answered 45 auto, he asked where it was, I answered right hip. He then said " let's see if your lights are working, checked turn signals etc. Handed back my cards and said 'have a good day". That's it.

dcjulie · « **Reply #3 on:** September 01, 2012, 09:48:43 PM »

I am happy to hear other positive experiences from people. I was in a mild fender bender a while ago and was carrying. The cop who came to the accident was awesome about it. When the other driver drove off, the cop stood there and talked to me about different guns for carry, the CCW class that I took, etc. It was a great conversation with a cool cop!

cckyle · « **Reply #4 on:** September 02, 2012, 02:46:01 AM »

Sounds like your first contact went well, as they all should if you are acting responsibly and accordingly as you did. I haven't had contact with an LEO since getting my CHP, hopefully I never will!!!!

greg58 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 02, 2012, 11:58:52 AM »

I recently went to an ice cream shop with a couple of local LEOs that were on duty, while we were there a State Patrolman came in and joined our little group just to talk.
I know one of the local guys knows that I have a CHP, and I was carrying at the time.
Am I obligated by law to announce that I am armed in a more social setting?
The contact was far from official.

Greg58

sjwsti · « **Reply #6 on:** September 02, 2012, 01:07:15 PM »

Quote from: greg58 on September 02, 2012, 11:58:52 AM

Am I obligated by law to announce that I am armed in a more social setting?
The contact was far from official.

No.

Mikee Loxxer · « **Reply #7 on:** September 02, 2012, 05:51:27 PM »

That's what I thought sjwsti. Recently I was at the range conversing with a couple of SWAT team members and made no mention of my carrying. I was pretty sure that unless I was being contacted by them in the course of their official law enforcement work I didn't have to disclose.

penname · « **Reply #8 on:** September 02, 2012, 08:33:14 PM »

I also had my first CCW contact with LEO last week, but in my case it was near Winnemucca, Nevada. Nevada is not a "duty to inform" state and I didn't mention the fact I was carrying. And since I was in long range travel mode I had a Glock on my hip and a S&W J-frame in an ankle holster. I was my usual polite self and got off with a warning to slow down. Which I actually did for the remainder of the trip by staying within 5 MPH of the posted speed limits.

When I was stopped I was returning home from a week in Reno, Nevada visiting family. The carry laws in Nevada are much more rational and I was able to carry in church and the DMV! Nevada law specifically states "Permittee authorized to carry concealed firearm while on premises of public buildings" then goes on to list a few, very specific exceptions (schools, public buildings with metal detectors or posted with signs). And the whole time I was in Nevada I only saw one posted building - a movie theater in Elko, Nevada of all places. Was told it was the corporate policy of the chain owner when I discussed with the manager.

Famous556 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 03, 2012, 12:58:31 AM »

I'm glad to hear other's positive contacts with police while carrying. Every positive contact is not only positive for us as individuals but also our whole cause of supporting gun/carry rights.

wallace11bravo · « **Reply #10 on:** September 03, 2012, 04:19:10 PM »

I've had only positive contacts.

The only thing of note is a ride along with NSP I did last week. The SGT said he ran my name and it showed I had a CHP, asked if I was carrying, I of course said "No."

He in turn asked, "Why not?" I responded with something along the lines of I don't think I have much to worry about while riding with a veteran trooper.

He kinda shrugged and said he would be fine with it if I was carrying. Kinda interesting, and fairly unexpected.

OnTheFly · « **Reply #11 on:** September 03, 2012, 06:03:46 PM »

w11b...Yes that is VERY surprising. Would not have expected that in a bizillion x 2 years.

Regarding the OPs experience. I would agree that, overall, you had a good first experience with LEO, and I don't want to pee in your Cheerios. However, I still do not understand why LEO feel that securing your firearm is necessary. Nor do I understand why we should be required to relinquish our personal property, even temporarily, when the officer has no suspicion of our wrong doing or intent to do wrong. Maybe there is a real life scenario that has played out which gives some credence to an officer disarming a CHP holder. If anyone knows of such evidence, please speak up. Until then, I have to speak my mind.

Why would a person intent on doing the officer harm inform the officer of a concealed weapon? I'm sure there are examples where officers pull someone over and the situation escalate into a violent confronation, but how many of those occur with a CHP holder? I'm betting very infrequently, if ever. And if it does happen, it is likely statistically much less common compared with non-CHP holders.

Again, I agree it was an over all positive experience, but it could have been even better. Just my two cents.

Fly

SemperFiGuy · « **Reply #12 on:** September 03, 2012, 08:47:03 PM »

Quote

The only thing of note is a ride along with NSP I did last week. The SGT said he ran my name and it showed I had a CHP, asked if I was carrying, I of course said "No."

He in turn asked, "Why not?" I responded with something along the lines of I don't think I have much to worry about while riding with a veteran trooper.

He kinda shrugged and said he would be fine with it if I was carrying. Kinda interesting, and fairly unexpected.

FWIW........I did a formal RideAlong with a Douglas County Sheriff's deputy.

The DCty written pre-ride instructions in this case clearly stated that the civilian shall not be armed. Interesting that the NSP RideAlong arrangement is quite different from the one employed by Douglas County.

sfg

wallace11bravo · « **Reply #13 on:** September 03, 2012, 09:34:43 PM »

LPD had something for me to sign, but it was only stating that I will follow the officers instructions, and that I will not sue the department. For NSP, I never even signed anything, so I suppose if it is not in writing, it is left up to the individual officer's discretion.

I don't think NSP has very many ride alongs, as the whole process of scheduling and whatnot was a bit haphazard compared to LPD.

gsd · « **Reply #14 on:** September 04, 2012, 08:55:09 AM »

I had contact the other morning with a young (my age-ish...29) LPD officer the other morning. As a maintenance tech for my apartment complex, they called me for a welfare check. While waiting for backup to arrive, i asked the officer about my CHP. He said simply, "tell me, and we're good".

Really laid back, super nice guy. I think every department has the "HardAss" though.

chinaclipper · « **Reply #15 on:** September 04, 2012, 01:50:58 PM »

Nephew involved in a fender bender in Lincoln. He was driving my car. He was shaken but fine.
I was "on scene" 10 minutes after the accident.
Mr Officer comes over to talk to my nephew, I asked if I could talk to him first. Told him I was obligated to say I had my CCW and the firearm was in my own car. Said "thanks", didn't blink an eye and proceeded to interview my nephew.
Class act.

DaveB · « **Reply #16 on:** September 04, 2012, 01:58:30 PM »

Quote from: chinaclipper on September 04, 2012, 01:50:58 PM

Nephew involved in a fender bender in Lincoln. He was driving my car. He was shaken but fine.
I was "on scene" 10 minutes after the accident.
Mr Officer comes over to talk to my nephew, I asked if I could talk to him first. Told him I was obligated to say I had my CCW and the firearm was in my own car. Said "thanks", didn't blink an eye and proceeded to interview my nephew.
Class act.

Your gun was in the car your nephew was driving?

AAllen · « **Reply #17 on:** September 04, 2012, 02:06:31 PM »

Quote from: DaveB on September 04, 2012, 01:58:30 PM

Your gun was in the car your nephew was driving?

I believe, from how I read it, it was in the second car in which he arrived on the scene.

bullit · « **Reply #18 on:** September 04, 2012, 02:07:42 PM »

It is my hope that more NE LEOs will become more comfortable (I don't mean less vigilant or off guard) with CHP holders and official contact i.e. don't feel the need to secure the weapon. I respect the law and their right to feel safe. That being said, in the LEO contacts I've have had while visiting family in our southern neighbor states, you almost get the "you have a third eye" look when you announce you are carrying. I beleive they've long ago come to the realization that CHP holders are the good guys. It would be interesting research for one of you net ninjas to investigate whether there has ever been an incident in a "routine" traffic stop or "routine" LEO contact with a CHP in this country that has resulted in a danger to the LEO.

chinaclipper · « **Reply #19 on:** September 04, 2012, 04:02:59 PM »

Quote from: AAllen on September 04, 2012, 02:06:31 PM

I believe, from how I read it, it was in the second car in which he arrived on the scene.

That is correct. It was in MY car in which I arrived on the scene