Traffic Stop while CCW

[Bradyjo]

Hey All,

Would like your opinions on this. I know the best procedures for getting pulled over for a routine traffic stop if I am concealed carrying (hands at 10 &2, dome light, etc). What is best way to position yourself on your bike if you get pulled over while you are carrying (or if the jurisdiction you're pulled over in includes firearm ownership info in the cruisier's pc)? My goal in those situations is not to make any political statements, but keep everything ROUTINE and calm.

Do you keep your helmet on and keep your hands on the bars? Do you dismount? Forgive my naive question, but I've never had to think about it until I started riding more.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[Fred1369]

I dismount in a casual manner, take my helmet off casually, and casually stand by my bike. I have done this several times without incident.
Remember to hand over the ccw permit with your license and registration. If nothing else it shows you are not a felon.

[UltraRick]

Originally Posted by Bradyjo

Hey All,

Would like your opinions on this. I know the best procedures for getting pulled over for a routine traffic stop if I am concealed carrying (hands at 10 &2, dome light, etc). What is best way to position yourself on your bike if you get pulled over while you are carrying (or if the jurisdiction you're pulled over in includes firearm ownership info in the cruisier's pc)? My goal in those situations is not to make any political statements, but keep everything ROUTINE and calm.

Do you keep your helmet on and keep your hands on the bars? Do you dismount? Forgive my naive question, but I've never had to think about it until I started riding more.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Here is some good advice I received with a similar topic a few months back.

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/gu...icket-ccw.html

[DLL66]

I'd stay seated on the bike with hands on the handlebar. When approached by the police, let them know that I have a CCW and proceed from there by their instructions.

[garyad]

Originally Posted by DLL66

I'd stay seated on the bike with hands on the handlebar. When approached by the police, let them know that I have a CCW and proceed from there by their instructions.

That sounds pretty simple and it makes sense too.

[snap]

Just went through this on monday. Stayed seated holding up bike only removing my shades, handed over my docs inc permit. Officer never asked anything weapon related. BTW its good practice to keep your wallet and weapon on opposite sides.

[vindex1963]

Originally Posted by snap

BTW its good practice to keep your wallet and weapon on opposite sides.

Good point.

[Homesick]

I read a thread with a similar theme once. One poster was adamant that you should move away from your bike far enough to discourage a bike search.

joe

[93-331-29PSI]

Pennsylvania is not a "Must Inform" state so act like you would if you weren't CCW and got pulled over. Just use your head and you'll be fine. If the officer asks you by all means be honest, but you are not legally required to inform him/her first.

I would never inform unless required to by state law. google handgunlaw for a good source for that information.

[roofeditor]

Originally Posted by 93-331-29PSI

Pennsylvania is not a "Must Inform" state so act like you would if you weren't CCW and got pulled over. Just use your head and you'll be fine. If the officer asks you by all means be honest, but you are not legally required to inform him/her first.

I would never inform unless required to by state law. google handgunlaw for a good source for that information.

And the Leo sees a bulge or outline and sees you moving and shoots you. But you are not legally required to inform him!!! But you are legally dead.

Ya sit there with the engine off, hands on bars and tell him you have a weapon and exactly where it is and that you have a permit and what would he like you to do next!

He will respect you for this! I've had several say just keep it there, and they gave me a warning about the speeding. I had one almost shoot himself f-ing with it.

[kevsett]

I'm in agreement to not inform LEO of anything unless asked or if in a state where such is required. I'm legal, law abiding, and I'm not involved in anything suspicious, threatening, or otherwise. I will no more tell them about my weapon than I would if I passed them on a city sidewalk and they asked me if I had the correct time. I see why others feel differently but this isn't Nazi Germany or KGB Russia; yet!

Originally Posted by roofeditor

And the Leo sees a bulge or outline and sees you moving and shoots you. But you are not legally required to inform him!!! But you are legally dead.

Ya sit there with the engine off, hands on bars and tell him you have a weapon and exactly where it is and that you have a permit and what would he like you to do next!

He will respect you for this! I've had several say just keep it there, and they gave me a warning about the speeding. I had one almost shoot himself f-ing with it.

[roofeditor]

Originally Posted by kevsett

I'm in agreement to not inform LEO of anything unless asked or if in a state where such is required. I'm legal, law abiding, and I'm not involved in anything suspicious, threatening, or otherwise. I will no more tell them about my weapon than I would if I passed them on a city sidewalk and they asked me if I had the correct time. I see why others feel differently but this isn't Nazi Germany or KGB Russia; yet!

May end up having you DEAD right. I have several LEO family members that are gun rights advocates BUT also want to know when they are having any dealings with you where and if you have a weapon. Why is this complicated? For instance say you are in your car and get stopped for speeding and have a gun in the glove box. do you think it's smart to insist you don't have to tell the LEO about the gun when you are reaching for the license and insurance in the same box?

You open that box and start reaching for your insurance and the LEO sees a gun he is going to draw down on you, and if you give him some of the attitude you appear to have he is going to draw down on you even quicker with more intensity.

Same on your bike. I have a .357 Smith Scandium in my vest at all times and generally you can't see the outline unless you happen to be looking for it. A veteran officer is trained to look. Or if you have a Glock in your in the belt holster like I also do at times. Now if if you get pulled over and are reaching for your wallet your shirt is going to ride up and expose the gun butt, and the LEO is going to do what? Let you get the draw on him?

Complicate this with a night time stop in a bad area and the LEO is even more aware.

This has zero to do with Russia, it's common sense.

[kevsett]

It's not complicated. Yes, not reaching into a glovebox that has a handgun in it without informing the LEO of such is common sense. So is not letting a handgun flash under a shirt or vest in front of an LEO. But having a properly concealed handgun and being stopped by an LEO doesn't necessarily require a law abiding citizen to inform them. For every LEO you can find that agrees with you there are perhaps equal numbers that would disagree. To me the main things are that a person exercises their 2A rights as outlined in each states regulations and keeps lawful, respectful, and nonthreatening at all times with LEO interactions.

Originally Posted by roofeditor

May end up having you DEAD right. I have several LEO family members that are gun rights advocates BUT also want to know when they are having any dealings with you where and if you have a weapon. Why is this complicated? For instance say you are in your car and get stopped for speeding and have a gun in the glove box. do you think it's smart to insist you don't have to tell the LEO about the gun when you are reaching for the license and insurance in the same box?

You open that box and start reaching for your insurance and the LEO sees a gun he is going to draw down on you, and if you give him some of the attitude you appear to have he is going to draw down on you even quicker with more intensity.

Same on your bike. I have a .357 Smith Scandium in my vest at all times and generally you can't see the outline unless you happen to be looking for it. A veteran officer is trained to look. Or if you have a Glock in your in the belt holster like I also do at times. Now if if you get pulled over and are reaching for your wallet your shirt is going to ride up and expose the gun butt, and the LEO is going to do what? Let you get the draw on him?

Complicate this with a night time stop in a bad area and the LEO is even more aware.

This has zero to do with Russia, it's common sense.

[UltraRick]

Milehog,
Like your sig line. It would apply to me also. GM car and truck and the Harley

[roofeditor]

Originally Posted by Milehog

My state dosen't require you inform the officer of a concealed weapon. If the officer has a profesional attitude I'll flash the CCW permit before I produce the drivers license. This always gets a nod of apreciation.
On a long ride I tend to put wallet, keys and pistol in a fanny pack holster to get the lumps out of my pockets. If pulled over while carrying as such I'll tell the officer what's up and ask his instructions.

They generally respect you for respecting them.