flying_174
Regular Member
imported post
PeteXD wrote:
I have been pulled over while OC'ing. At the time I did not have a CHP. I was pulled by an Ashland Officer for amalfunctioning tail light. It was at night, I was carrying in my holster. I am a lefty so it is still somewhat visible when holstered. He approached to notify of the light and asked for my licence and registration. As I was handing them over, with both hands clearly visible, I notified him of the firearm. He asked where it was. I told him. He then shone his flashlight at my holster and saw it. He asked if I had a CHP, I told him I did not. He then informed me that it was considered concealed, and explained why he believed that to be. Whether that was true or not was not the point then.
Never argue with an officer, better things can be done afterwards. I apologized to him, and told him I was unaware of this. He chose to run my info right there for his safety. I did not have a problem with that except that the dispatcher read back all my info across the radio.
As he let me go he said I should get a CHP. I told him that I was planing on it, but chose to OC for the time. I asked him what he believe constituted OC'ing in a vehicle. He said anywhere where it can be seen as soon as the officer approaches. I personally don't like this because it doesn't allow you anytime to notify him of it before he sees it and freaks out, if the case may be.
Bottom line is you have to remember that OC is a choice that when made you must remember that it is in part education. You must do all you can to know the laws and abide by them. But you also must remember that others may not know the laws, and this includes many officers. When OC'ing in a vehicle, which is a big grey area, you must understand that it may lead to an undesirable confrontation. Don't let it be a confrontation. The traffic stop is not the time for education, your main goal is to avoid arrest and/or weapon confiscation. Afterwards you can contact supervisors and ask them to educate the officer, and clear everything up.
I have a close friend who is 19 who OC's on a regular basis. He is pushing education much farther than a lot of us can. Many people do not know that in the state of VA you can legally carry a handgun at 18. I have talked with him quite a bit, and he understand completely that if he is pulled in a traffic stop that his chances of being arrested and the legally carried firearm being confiscated are very high. It is a decision that he has thought on and has chosen to take the responsibility of it. This is something every OC'er stepping intorarely exercisedterritories of OC must be willing to accept.
Sorry for the long post, hope it helps.
PeteXD wrote:
Has anyone here ever been pulled over while their firearm is sitting in the passenger seat of their car?
What should be done if one were to find themselves in this situation. Get pulled over and have the pistol riding shotgun?
I don't ever plan to be pulled over, but you never know... I also don't want to have it in my holster while seated as I am right handed and it would be covered by the seat belt causing two things: 1.) possible misconception by law enforcement that the weapon is concealed because it is not in plain view. 2.) Being that the seatbelt covers it, the ease of draw is completely nullified. If a situation were to arise where I needed it quick fast and in a hurry I'd be up @#$% creek without a paddle while fiddling with my seatbelt.
I have been pulled over while OC'ing. At the time I did not have a CHP. I was pulled by an Ashland Officer for amalfunctioning tail light. It was at night, I was carrying in my holster. I am a lefty so it is still somewhat visible when holstered. He approached to notify of the light and asked for my licence and registration. As I was handing them over, with both hands clearly visible, I notified him of the firearm. He asked where it was. I told him. He then shone his flashlight at my holster and saw it. He asked if I had a CHP, I told him I did not. He then informed me that it was considered concealed, and explained why he believed that to be. Whether that was true or not was not the point then.
Never argue with an officer, better things can be done afterwards. I apologized to him, and told him I was unaware of this. He chose to run my info right there for his safety. I did not have a problem with that except that the dispatcher read back all my info across the radio.
As he let me go he said I should get a CHP. I told him that I was planing on it, but chose to OC for the time. I asked him what he believe constituted OC'ing in a vehicle. He said anywhere where it can be seen as soon as the officer approaches. I personally don't like this because it doesn't allow you anytime to notify him of it before he sees it and freaks out, if the case may be.
Bottom line is you have to remember that OC is a choice that when made you must remember that it is in part education. You must do all you can to know the laws and abide by them. But you also must remember that others may not know the laws, and this includes many officers. When OC'ing in a vehicle, which is a big grey area, you must understand that it may lead to an undesirable confrontation. Don't let it be a confrontation. The traffic stop is not the time for education, your main goal is to avoid arrest and/or weapon confiscation. Afterwards you can contact supervisors and ask them to educate the officer, and clear everything up.
I have a close friend who is 19 who OC's on a regular basis. He is pushing education much farther than a lot of us can. Many people do not know that in the state of VA you can legally carry a handgun at 18. I have talked with him quite a bit, and he understand completely that if he is pulled in a traffic stop that his chances of being arrested and the legally carried firearm being confiscated are very high. It is a decision that he has thought on and has chosen to take the responsibility of it. This is something every OC'er stepping intorarely exercisedterritories of OC must be willing to accept.
Sorry for the long post, hope it helps.