police pull you over, inform, or not inform you are carrying

[Sgt Rock]

That's another reason I NEVER open carry. I believe in "Don'T ask, don"t tell". If he doesn't ask, I don't tell. If he does, I will tell the truth and produce my LTCH but why invite trouble when none exist? I'm not breaking the law by not disclosing if not asked and I'm certainly no threat to the officer. I've only had one (1) interaction with police (IMPD) at the City Market last fall, simply because I had a legal handgun in a public place, some of you were there with me, it wasn't pretty. Never again.

 

[ATM]

I'll open carry and still not inform.

If asked about my gun, I'll still simply ask why I am being detained.

It's not lying to not answer, even if it's obvious.

 

[m1231]

I was in the military for 20 years and I was always told to never volunteer for anything. So why volunteer now.

 

[pforgs]

About 3 weeks ago I was headed home with my older brother and an ISP officer pulled us over to check for seat belts. When I handed my information over, the LEO pointed out that I had handed him my handgun license then asked if either of us were carrying or had a firearm in the car. We responded no and he said ok then handed the handgun license back to me and took my DL to his car to do his computer stuff. He came back, handed me a warning for speeding in excess of 55, had a friendly conversation about the college I attend, then we went our own ways.

I will admit, when he asked if we had a firearm in the car his voice had caution/alarm to it. I figured I would be upfront with a LEO about it as opposed to have them come back and ask (should it show up on records, which I have no clue if it does).

As many have said already, if they ask I'll be honest, but if they don't I have no intention of mentioning it again.

 

[23mar03]

I'll open carry and still not inform.

If asked about my gun, I'll still simply ask why I am being detained.

It's not lying to not answer, even if it's obvious.

Misdirection is always a useful tool! If you continue to reply to a question with a question(Am I free to go?, Why am I being detained?, etc), then the officer might leave you be but you'll probably garentee you a ticket.

 

[aijk]

Every time i have been pulled over while carrying I have told them and every time but 1 it was the same. They took it and ran the numbers and brought it back empty, but i never got a ticket. I had a plainfield cop take my derringer and when he brought it back he handed me the shells ( .410 ) and he made me throw the shells to the back of the van, and give me the gun back with a gun lock in it. But, no ticket. The only time they didn't take it was in monrovia and told him my desert eagle was under the seat, he said good leave it there.

 

[Woodrow]

I have informed officers in VA (my home state), and they have glossed right over it--they've thanked me, and I've not gotten tickets, but no one ever made any indication that they cared one way or the other. I've had conversations about guns after informing them, but only after they asked me to slow down and we were having some friendly conversation. I come from a more rural area than where I currently live though, and really, everyone out in the country has guns.

Having said that, I don't know that I would inform Indiana officers, or any officers now because I'm older and maybe a little jaded. I had a ST in Tennessee ask where the gun was, but that was it. I totally understand the danger factor for LEOs, but I don't pose a threat. However, the presence of a firearm automatically escalates a situation, no matter the intent because the LEO doesn't know me: I am a potential threat because I've broken the law. That's a strike. A firearm is a further complication, and the Constitution and a thousand court rulings don't mean anything on the side of the road at 3:00am when I am a dark shape in a car.

 

[acase20]

if asked ill tell them i have it but if not i dont see any need

 

[Menace67]

Thanks for all of the great info, i thought you had to inform them when you got pulled over. Now that i know i will keep my mouth shut

 

[HmDBrian]

I always let the officer know right away and hand them my card. Never has it been an issure though, the officer would just tell me thanks for letting them know and go write me the ticket or warning, whatever it is at that time.

 

[jeremy]

I prefer to go into my best Obiwan bit of these are not the Droids you are looking for...

 

[2nthechest]

I was on my motorcycle one time and was pulled over for speeding. Cop asked for my license and registration. Not many places to keep that stuff on a "crotch rocket" beside under the rear seat Of course my gun was in there too. I told the cop and he let me open the seat and there lied my Desert Eagle .50AE. The look on his face was priceless. He said something like what good is your gun back there? I told him I was planning on shooting anyone while riding the bike and felt it was safer there in case I was to lay the bike down rather than it being on my hip. He suprisingly agreed. Now I just stick to a kel-tec 32 or .410 derringer in the pocket when I am on my bike.

Cop fondled the gun for a few looked at my license and registration, never asked for my carry permit, said have a nice day and I rode off.

 

[Carpenter]

My son always shows his, I think I am of the opposite opinion, but sort of riding the fence

 

[Manan]

I won't lie, but I won't confess unsolicited .

 

[ATM]

I won't lie, but I won't confess unsolicited .

If they are beating me with a phone book trying to solicit a confession, I think even lying becomes acceptable.

 

[tmccorkel]

Funny, I watched a video on Youtube about this, just this morning. It was an officer talking about it, and of course, he said you should always mention it. I think a lot depends on the officers demeanor though. Luckily, I've never been put in that position.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

The actual law varies by state. In IN, there's no obligation to inform. In OH, for example, you're required to inform so the officer can then proceed to threaten to execute you on the spot, then go home and sleep like a baby. Check things like this for other states just as you would check whether your LTCH is honored. I tend not to answer questions that aren't asked, I CC so the question shouldn't come up unless I've failed in some way, and my pink thing is in a separate part of my wallet from my CDL. Can't think of any reason I'd be pulled over, though.

 

[nemo97]

Quite a bit to mull. The one time I was pulled over with a weapon in my car was in Texas before they had conceal carry permits. I was travelling and carrying under the impression it was legal due to the distance of my trip (something about temporarily moving a homestead). Humorously, the officer was more interested in what was in the cooler on my front floorboard.

My answer, "Nothing. I was running late this morning and didn't stop to fill it up with Dr. Pepper."