Two weeks ago a very nice policeman decided to have a discussion with me in refence to highway safety, in particular the question of whether posted speed limits are in fact legal limits or simply vague suggestions to be taken under consideration.*

I went into Let There Be No Confusion mode - engine off, radio off, windows on both sides down, both hands on the steering wheel with driver's license, registration, and insurance in the left hand, so it was without undue excitement.

I was unarmed at the time, but about half the time I'm carrying a pistol.

Is it better to:

A) Include my CCW permit with the documents and advise him that I am in fact armed,

or

B) Not say anything about it unless he asks?

The pro is that I don't want the officer to spot the butt end of a pistol and go into Full Protective Mode; laying on the pavement sucks.

The con is that my pistol is usually well concealed and there is no need to add a layer of drama (since the last thing I'm going to do is shoot a police officer).

* I tried the Huey Lewis defense of singing along to fast music and not paying attention to the speed I was travelling, as the sky was clear, the roads were dry and there was zero traffic other than myself until he pulled onto the road with disappointing results. Maybe he was a polka fan.

...this topic should be good

My wife has a CC permit and went through the class. I believe it comes up on the police computer tied to your license plate if you are officially a CC permit holder. So the officer might already know that there *might* be someone carrying driving. I believe she told me that she was taught in the CC class that she was to put both hands on the steering wheel, tell the officer that she has a CC permit, and whether she actually has the gun in the vehicle. I think that is the best policy prior to even reaching for your license.

Mag will be the definitive answer though. Curious what the official stance is.

I know this question was posed to Magnum but since I'm a police officer in California, I will add my opinion. The requirements vary depending on the county or city of issuance (at least in California). Having said that, I always appreciate when a holder of a CCW informs me that he/she has a CCW along with a firearm. Common courtesy in my opinion and it can prevent that "oh #%&*$#" moment if you will. Also, when traveling through California, out of state CCW permits are not honored. This has been an issue in the past and it is highly recommended to anyone who has a CCW to make sure you research laws when traveling out of state.

But, since my primary job is traffic enforcement, I find this statement a much more interesting topic:

"Two weeks ago a very nice policeman decided to have a discussion with me in reference to highway safety, in particular the question of whether posted speed limits are in fact legal limits or simply vague suggestions to be taken under consideration."

Dart, I am not Magnum, but....

Texas Law was that if you failed to produce plastic, the officer could hit you with a misdemeanor charge. Thankfully that was changed.
Now my .02 is to follow Griff's advice, because I agree wholeheartedly. If approached by a LEO, produce the plastic!
Hey, you are one of the "good guys". The statistics for LEOs being attacked by CHL holders is almost zero. Why not let the officer know that you have a weapon (or Not!) and have been qualified by State and Federal to carry it?
And yes locally it should show up on your license check that you have a CHL. So its not like you can hide the fact.
Proactive = Courteous.

I make sure that I do it even if I do not have the pistol with me.
Now I can tell you from the reactions I have had.... TX DPS (State Police): "Hey, that's great." Dallas PD: "Meh, do you have it on you?"
Small East Texas PD with 10 Police officers: {places hand on firearm upon seeing the CHL license}

Answered well above... but check your state laws... some require you notify, some don't...

Too be honest... now, as a 25 year vet of the police line of profession and knowing what I know, and seeing this new "breed" of police officer in action... if you don't have to by state law, then don't... (unless they may see it somewhere... ie: if it's in your glove box, and you need to go there for your car registration then tell them before hand... "Officer, just to let you know I have a CWP and a handgun in my glove box, that is also where my registration is, May I open it to retrieve the documents?" and wait for a answer... but it is best to keep it truly concealed and in a different area of your paperwork... IE: center console...

The reason I say this... is in the past I always believed that for the most part we cops were always right besides a few bad apples, and that citizens and the press who made up crap against us were just bitter... and in most cases that is true... but I've seen my fair share of questionable stops, questionable searches, and unnecessary detainments by officers, mostly new ones... now I may have not been a angel my full 25 years as a cop... but I always thought of us as the good guys... now, when I back up these younger, more about the ME officers...when someone says they have a CWP... they ask where the weapon is, get them out of the car, find the weapon, and run it... BS IMO, (unless you have a honest opinion that somethings not right here...) if someone tells you they have a CWP and shows you the permit, they shouldn't be harassed for their honesty. IMO

Not sure whats going on, but in the last 2 to 3 years I've had a fallen out with my profession... mostly because of the type of recruits we are getting... college kids that want to prove how bad ass they are to everyone... I've kicked my share of ass, but feel that I lived by a good and honest rule... respect me and I'll respect you... disrespect me and game on. (and most citizens show respect... I can tell when I'm being deceived or played within minutes of a contact.)

5 years till retirement and counting.

And then the really serious gaming can commence!

Retirement from the force only, I seriously doubt he'll be able to kick back with a mint julep on the porch every day for the next several decades!

Anyway, my problem with speed limits is their arbitrary nature. Who exactly determined why the speed limit is higher in one spot than another? Based on what? Fatalities? Whining? I've seen far too many areas where traffic pays ZERO attention to the limit. I literally see all the cars doing 25-30 in a 40 zone as if that's too much, or doing 80 in a 55 because the 70 suddenly drops for nothing.

My favorite is A1A. The speed limit in Cocoa Beach varies from 35-45, but everyone just does 40. They don't slow down for 35, they don't speed up for 45. I just don't get it.

I also love the counter-intuitive limits. Why is the road 45 or higher when it's one lane each way, but when it widens to 2 each way the limit drops to 35??



The Jedi Master

No, he's going native