I am handicap and my wife is the driver of our vehicle I have my edc below feet holstered and in an unzipped empty shaving kit. If my wife would get pulled over for speeding should I tell the police officer that I have my edc located on floor between my feet?
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Every state has different laws. I would ask myself do you think he wants to know. Welcome back. Hope this helps.
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In my vehicle I have my EDC under my left leg. Easier to reach if need be. I have been pulled over with it there. Told the officer that I have a conceal carrry license and there is a firearm in the vehicle and explain to him exactly where it was. Sometimes they told me to leave it there and other times they open the drivers door and remove the firearm themselves. Either way I would let the officer know you have a firearm in the vehicle
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Every officer appreciates being informed, although different ones handle the information differently.
KNOW YOUR STATE LAW. If yours is a Duty-to-I-nform state, know when and how and do it properly.
Advisory One: do not use the word GUN. Practice saying something like, "Officer, I am a licensed carrier. My weapon isā¦(location).
Unsolicited advisory two: PLEASE reconsider how you carry. An open bag on the floor is likely to send that 30 ounces of protection flying anywhere or every where in a crash or even an emergency stop. Better would be secured on your body, either in a belt holster or a fanny pack you are wearing. I changed from strong side waist to appendix carry specifically for access when belted into the car.
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As Colombo turns back around before going out the doorā¦
Oh, one more thing.
If an officer asks you to hand him your firearm to hold for safety, practice this one or similar:
āOfficer, I donāt want to be seen by anyone else, especially another officer just arriving, handling a firearm in your presence. I will cooperate fully in allowing you to disarm me.ā
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I live in a state that does not require you to inform a LEO you are carrying but, I will tell you now if you have a concealed Weapon permit when they call your LPN they will know so, informing them you have a CWP and that you are carrying can be a good communication tool with the LEO.
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Hey Mr. Craig_AR.
just thinkinā, maybe say, āfirearmāā¦ itās not a weapon unless itās used as oneā¦ āweaponā makes cops nervous.
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I would hand my permit to my wife so she could give it with her driver license to the officer. I donāt even have to say a word.
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@Tom177 @Michael2020 Hello, good to see you both. And welcome @Michael2020 . I carry in a bag as well. Tom, I am disabled and must use a walker/rollator/wheel chair, whatever. I am also on oxygen. Due to issues with painful scars after having organ transplant I cannot wear a belt. So for me it is belly band, shoulder holster or tac bag. I have asked this same question of 3 LEOās. We are not an inform state. All 3 told me that they really appreciate it if a CCW permit comes with a license. And the driver says āas you can see I have a permit. There is a firearm in the car. What would you want me to do?ā Especially given tinted windows, and that the person at the door would like to go home after their shift, and you donāt tell them but they spot the bag, firearm, whatever, the adrenalin will go through the roof. Better safe than very, very sorry! My 2 cents. Oh, and until you know what to do, keep your hands high and in sight.
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For me. Personally, Iāll let them know (Note: I live in a state where I Do Not have to say):
āI have a valid concealed carry permit, my firearm is at 4:00 Oāclock and is condition zero.ā
They just smile and say thanks, just leave it thereā¦
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Michael, you are spot on and understand my point. The word most likely to arouse a quick and unpleasant reaction from a LEO is gun. Pick the word you are most likely to use and feel least likely to kick up a copās adrenaline. Possibilities: firearm, piece, it. The idea is to raise no hackles.
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Welcome to the community! I agree, and itās been mentioned many times āweaponā, 
Ah, you mean āFIREARMā Oh! yeah that thing! 
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For decades NRA training in basic pistol use has included an admonition to call it a firearm, because it is not a weapon except when in use for that purpose. That is fine, a reasonable distinction. However, if I draw my carry pistol with intent to use, it is, at that time, definitely a weapon.
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This is the way it is most places. They know when the license plate is run (assuming itās your vehicle and registered to you specifically). Itās also a very good idea to communicate with them up front about it as the first encounter with a LEO is most times their first impression of you and they sort of hate having untruths told to them. That usually ends up bad. Honesty and some respect on the front side will most times get you everywhere with them.
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In my state, we have no duty to inform.
When LEO comes up to the door and asks you for your license and your registration. heās asking you to do two things. This is a divided attention test. They are paying attention to how well you performed this first test.
They do this to see if there going to pursue a DUI.
He did not ask to see your concealed carry permit. He did not ask you to give him anything else. He did not ask you to give him anything else from the passenger in the vehicleā¦
I handed the officer more than just my drivers license and insurance and he says I didnāt ask for that. I asked for your license and insurance.
My instructors called this getting diarrhea of the mouth. Itās when someone just starts talking and doing things and giving more information than they were asked for.
He may not get any info from running your license plate, but it will show up on your drivers license if you have a permit.
What if you live in a state when you donāt need a permit??
Nothing, itās none of the Leoās business if youāre caring legally.
If youāre caring legally and your exercising your constitutional rights, thereās no reason you need to inform the police officer that you are doing so.
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Other than the fact that the LEOās life gets put in harmās way every day, so he/she may already have their hand on their service weapon as they approach your vehicle, and they are already suspicious/in a state of heightened awareness due to their need to interact with you.
Yes, you are within your legal right not to inform, but the cop you are interacting with is not a law, itās another person, and people can make mistakes, especially if they misinterpret a situation. If you are LEGAL, what is the harm of informing? (Other than hurting your pride)
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In general, you are correct. In my state, the officer would know that I have a CHP, so even though there isnāt a law to inform, it would be pointless not to mention it, as the officer would already know. However, officers, just like everyone else, all react differently, sometimes not well, and we have all read news reports and seen videos of when it does not go well.
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As you stay heightened awareness, regardless if Iām caring or not.
The fact that Iām legally caring does not put them in harms away.
Itās no oneās business not even Leo,
if Iām caring or not.
Why would you just blurt out that youāre carrying because youāre near a LEO or when you were talking to one?
I donāt get where your pride comment comes from.
It has to do with leo or the government doesnāt need to know where I came from or where Iām going. They donāt need to know what possessions I have with me.
I also donāt tell him Iām caring a knife.
Or that thereās a canister of bear spray in my door pocket. Nor do I tell them what kind of training Iāve hadā¦
Iām not there to discuss my day.
Write the ticket or donāt and weāll both be on our way
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Always inform. Seated in a vehicle is not the time to stand on principal. But you do you.
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Weāre talking about the gap between courtesy and requirement. I suppose there are cops out there that would be uncomfortable knowing I have a firearm on my belt, just as Iām sure that there are cops out there that are uncomfortable not knowing if I have one or not. The Law here is I donāt have to say, Courtesy says I should probably let them know.
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