What to do during a traffic stop?

[seedubs1]

Just got pulled over this morning (failure to signal.....hadn't had my coffee.....).

I had the gun holstered in my vehicle where it always rides. It's clearly visible if you're looking in the window. I didn't say a damn thing about it. Kept my hands on the steering wheel. Told the officer where I was reaching when he asked me to retrieve license/registration and moved slowly.

No issues at all. But then again, I'm polite and not a jack ass. Ended with a warning and a hand shake.

 

[t-squared]

You can avoid having to reach into a potential "weapon hiding place" by using a binder clip to keep your regisitration and insurance papers clipped to your sunvisor....the "ears" flip forward so there is no damage to your headliner.

Acco Binder Clips Large 2 Width 1.06 Black Color Plastic Tempered Steel Metal Material by Office Depot & OfficeMax

 

[tomray3of4]

My New Rules for Both Parties in a Traffic Stop:

1. Don't offer unnecessary information that does not pertain to the traffic stop.
2. Don't lie, but don't offer information that does not pertain to the traffic stop.

Will never forget when I was a teenager and my brother was driving. He got pulled over and the cop asked him "do you know why I pulled you over?" My brother said "I am sure I was speeding". The cop said "yeah I'm sure you were, but you just ran through that stop sign"

 

[Roadie]

You can avoid having to reach into a potential "weapon hiding place" by using a binder clip to keep your regisitration and insurance papers clipped to your sunvisor....the "ears" flip forward so there is no damage to your headliner.

Acco Binder Clips Large 2 Width 1.06 Black Color Plastic Tempered Steel Metal Material by Office Depot & OfficeMax

My Subarau has a couple places built into the visor for registration and insurance. That's what I use.

 

[IndyDave1776]

All the time this thread has been up, I have been sitting back thinking that the first thing to do *drumroll* is to stop!

 

[Lil Bob]

This has been a quite interesting topic. Some of the responses have been sensible, while others I hope are just sarcasm. I have never been pulled over while armed. This is something that I have thought about at length. I was talking with a coworker a while back about getting pulled over. He told me that he showed the officer his DL and permit together. The officer asked him if he was carrying, and he said yes and the gun was on his right hip. He asked the officer if he would like him to get out of the vehicle and the officer said yes. Ultimately he was disarmed, the officer completed his business gave him back his weapon and left. Nothing negative happened except that he deservedly received a traffic ticket. I always wondered why he asked the officer if he wanted him to get out of the vehicle. I lean towards letting the officer know I am armed, but would not ask that question (do you want me to get out of the vehicle).

I generally do not drive in a manner that will get me pulled over. I learned the hard way many years ago that traffic tickets cost a whole lot more than just the cost of the ticket. My car insurance ended up costing me more a month than the car payment was for the car I owned at the time. I believe that as long as I am respectful towards the officer, and do not act suspiciously then I will either receive a ticket/warning and be on my way with no harm done.

 

[99zhuggerz99]

Having grown up with an LEO as a father I was taught to get license and registration ready while pulling over and stopping. Drop driver window with wallet and papers on dash above cluster; hands on wheel. The officer has clear view of hands and you do not have to reach into any compartments. Hand license/registration/LTCH to officer. The two times I have been pulled over (both of which had a firearm on my person) officer asked if I had it. I told hm location and the only response I got was "let's just leave it there".
My being ready before he exits his car I do not have to reach near firearm to get any documents he needs, my hands and info are all visible to officer from his exit of car, and he is informed and everyone remains honest. I know he is working and wants to go home that night, as do I. He and I will do everything we can to ensure that both of us accomplish that goal.
Nothing more...nothing less.

 

[stephen87]

I can't speak for all agencies, but at mine, running the plate will reveal if the registered owner has a LTCH. However, there are so many expired LTCHs in the system, I doubt officers check it with any regularity.

Is that new (within the past couple of years)? I did a ride along with IMPD and I was shown that you COULD get to it through a license plate search, but it specifically shows up under the DLN.

 

[stephen87]

I'd rather fill out paperwork than go to the hospital. I guess it depends on how use-of-force friendly your department is, whether you have to risk injury before you can use less lethal.

I'm sure there IS a line where you are authorized, but there are many more techniques that LEOs know the gain compliance. I'm sure some of them would be happy to help you out in learning what they are.

 

[Expatriated]

Heck yeah! I'm down!