ckmorley
Regular Member
I was returning home from Green Bay on Labor Day evening and had to take a construction detour through the town of Gillett. Coming into town, the speed limit drops from 50 to 25 very suddenly. I apparently wasn't decelerating fast enough as I went thru a speed trap. I was pulled over. I turned off the car, then got my driver's license and concealed carry permit out of my wallet and rolled down my window. I presented both of these to the officer when he came up to the window. He saw the permit and asked me "do you have a carry on you now?" I responded yes, it was on my left hip. As a former Illinoian, I was always told to keep your hands on top of the wheel, in plain sight, which I did. The officer told me I could keep it on me, but asked what I was carrying, both of which rather surprised me. I told him I was carrying a .38 snub.
He returned to his car with my DL, CHL, insurance card, etc. After a few moments he returned and gave me back all my paperwork then further surprised me by giving me a verbal warning instead of a ticket He said my record was clean, thus the warning instead of a citation.
He thanked me for keeping my hands on top of the wheel where he could see them, then advised me that in any future pull-overs I should tell the officer verbally that I was carrying first, then await instructions.
I thanked him for the info and the warning and continued home.
I wonder if I was his first pull-over involving a CHL.
I'd like to think that my cooperation contributed towards the verbal warning. In any case, it was a very positive experience. The officer didn't freak out, nor did he disarm me. Getting out of a ticket was the cherry on the sundae.
He returned to his car with my DL, CHL, insurance card, etc. After a few moments he returned and gave me back all my paperwork then further surprised me by giving me a verbal warning instead of a ticket He said my record was clean, thus the warning instead of a citation.
He thanked me for keeping my hands on top of the wheel where he could see them, then advised me that in any future pull-overs I should tell the officer verbally that I was carrying first, then await instructions.
I thanked him for the info and the warning and continued home.
I wonder if I was his first pull-over involving a CHL.
I'd like to think that my cooperation contributed towards the verbal warning. In any case, it was a very positive experience. The officer didn't freak out, nor did he disarm me. Getting out of a ticket was the cherry on the sundae.