2A Pride
Regular Member
At approximately 12:50 pm today in Bowling Green, an officer observed a gentleman in a car exactly like mine, who also looked a lot like me, going straight through a "turn right only" intersection (yes, that's sarcasm in my voice). A few hundred yards down the road, after a quick glance in my rearview, I saw the flashing blue lights. I had to go a another hundred yards or so due to cars already directly to the right, so I turned on my right blinker to let him know I had seen him and that I intended to pull over. I rolled down the driver's side window and kept my hands gripped at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel as he approached. He got out and walked up to my window and stated, "I'm officer ______ with the Bowling Green City Police Department. Do you know why I pulled you over?" Of course I knew exactly why but wasn't feeling up to admitting guilt. "Not a clue." "The reason I pulled you over today is because you went straight back there and it's right turn only. Do you have your license, registration, and insurance on you?" With my hands still gripped on the steering wheel I stated, "I do, but before I go reaching around in here, I'd like to inform you that I have a concealed weapons permit and there is a loaded 9mm in my center console." My driver's license and CDWL are in my wallet and my registration and insurance are in the glovebox." He asked me where my wallet was and I informed him that it was in my left rear pants pocket. He then instructed me to go ahead and retrieve my license and permit, and then my registration and insurance. I got each from its location always keeping one hand on the wheel. After I presented him with everything he asked for, he then said, "Okay, since you have your concealed permit I'm sure there's nothing to worry about, but I'm just gonna go ahead and run the numbers on your firearm and make sure it isn't stolen." That caught me a little off-guard I must admit, but I quickly replied, "No, I don't want the numbers ran through any government database." He looked a little stunned. "Why not," he asked. "I'm not trying to be difficult, but I don't want the numbers ran on my gun. It's my right to refuse that, and you have no reasonable suspicion to believe I am in possession of a stolen firearm." Almost surprised he said, "Okay...Well, just sit tight." He then returned to his cruiser where he remained for about 10 minutes. My guess, which is only speculation, but from his reaction I believe he probably checked with his supervisor to confirm that I was in the right about this. When I informed him of my stance on running my numbers, he seemed a little unsure if I could do that, but convinced I spoke confidently enough to not challenge the issue just yet. I was very polite in declining his request, but this was one "fishing" trip I wasn't gonna go along with. He came back to my car a few minutes later, returned my belongings, and told me to drive safely and have a nice day. He was never rude to begin with, but was especially polite when he returned. I thanked him for doing his job and we were both on our way.
My reasons for not wanting the gun ran were many. 1) He had no reason to suspect my firearm was stolen and therefore any search, seizure, or combination thereof would have been unlawful and unconstitutional 2) I will NEVER EVER EVER reach for a loaded firearm during a traffic stop, even upon an officer's request, EVER 3) I do not know if the officer was familiar with my particular model firearm, or his habits of firearms in general, and that presents safety issues for both he and I
I know that many of you on here would disagree with my decision to inform the officer of the firearm in the first place, as it is not required by Ky law. I know that when my license is run it will come up that I have a CDWL, and that leaves the officer not knowing if I am carrying or where the location of the firearm is, which I feel can create more problems than the notification and standing firm on my rights can. The reason I carry in my center console is because 1) I can quickly access my gun should I need it, and 2) This is a closed compartment where I keep NO OTHER PERTINENT PAPERWORK NEEDED DURING A TRAFFIC STOP, thus alleviating my need to open it for any reason. And yes, I am aware of the law change regarding closed compartments in vehicles, of which I also informed the officer. He also seemed surprised at that, but didn't argue with me.
My reason for this post is to encourage everyone to decide exactly what course of action in many different scenarios you will take during a traffic stop, long before it occurs. Your choices may not be the same as mine, but I hope they are well-thought-out and the right ones for you based upon your mode of carry.
Carry safely, Carry proudly, and Carry always
My reasons for not wanting the gun ran were many. 1) He had no reason to suspect my firearm was stolen and therefore any search, seizure, or combination thereof would have been unlawful and unconstitutional 2) I will NEVER EVER EVER reach for a loaded firearm during a traffic stop, even upon an officer's request, EVER 3) I do not know if the officer was familiar with my particular model firearm, or his habits of firearms in general, and that presents safety issues for both he and I
I know that many of you on here would disagree with my decision to inform the officer of the firearm in the first place, as it is not required by Ky law. I know that when my license is run it will come up that I have a CDWL, and that leaves the officer not knowing if I am carrying or where the location of the firearm is, which I feel can create more problems than the notification and standing firm on my rights can. The reason I carry in my center console is because 1) I can quickly access my gun should I need it, and 2) This is a closed compartment where I keep NO OTHER PERTINENT PAPERWORK NEEDED DURING A TRAFFIC STOP, thus alleviating my need to open it for any reason. And yes, I am aware of the law change regarding closed compartments in vehicles, of which I also informed the officer. He also seemed surprised at that, but didn't argue with me.
My reason for this post is to encourage everyone to decide exactly what course of action in many different scenarios you will take during a traffic stop, long before it occurs. Your choices may not be the same as mine, but I hope they are well-thought-out and the right ones for you based upon your mode of carry.
Carry safely, Carry proudly, and Carry always