Massad Ayoob on Traffic Stops

I went through a license check a few years ago. When the deputy asked for my license I went to reach for my wallet and noticed another deputy looking in the passenger side window. I hesitated and told the deputy my Glock was on my hip just above my wallet. His response " You leave yours's on your hip and I'll leave mine on mine". Couldn't have asked for a better response.
 
Originally Posted By: vahunterI went through a license check a few years ago. When the deputy asked for my license I went to reach for my wallet and noticed another deputy looking in the passenger side window. I hesitated and told the deputy my Glock was on my hip just above my wallet. His response " You leave yours's on your hip and I'll leave mine on mine". Couldn't have asked for a better response.

I've received the same response also.
You don't reach for yours and I won't reach for mine.

I've also had an officer take my gun, remove my magazine, strip the rounds from it and place everything on the top of my car with the instructions that I was free to retrieve them once he was gone.
 
Originally Posted By: GCAny LE that removes your gun and unloads it is an idiot.

I agree. But somewhat to his defense, we were in the middle of nowhere and any backup would have been a looong ways away.
 
Originally Posted By: pyscodogOriginally Posted By: GCAny LE that removes your gun and unloads it is an idiot.

Please explain?

If you are legally carrying then the gun is a non issue. If you have passed the background checks to get a license to carry you should be good to go. Most LE today can run your driving and criminal history from a laptop in their patrol rig. If you have passed the background for the license and have no wants or warrants you're one of the good guys, right?

And very importantly, the safest place for that weapon is in the holster or case where it is being carried/transported. Handguns in any decent holster that aren't being monkeyed with don't just suddenly fire a round off. When accidents/negligence occurs is when people are handling the firearm. Loading, unloading, holstering and unholstering are all times when something bad can happen. Most LE agencies have rules for the officers of not loading/unloading and handling weapons around the station house or office. There is a reason for that. Spackling spots dot police stations all over the country because of goof ball cops finger [beeep]' their weapons and letting a round off in the police house. I am aware of several local incidents over the years. I have a hole in my office wall and in a file cabinet from a firearms instructor giving a class in the training room and firing a round during the safety portion of his program in front of a full class of students. Thankfully I was out of the office at the time. Some of the most unsafe goof balls I have ever seen on the range are cops and military people. The average cop or military folks just don't get enough firearms training to be really proficient with their weapon. Non LE/military folks do it too. I know a guy who just shot his second TV in his house because he bought a new handgun, loaded it up and was playing around getting a sight picture on the television and somehow forget it was loaded and stroked that trigger. He laughed about it when he told me the story. That was the second time doing that for him! Stunningly stupid.

The response from an officer of "you leave yours holstered and I'll do the same" with a smile and some direct eye contact is as good as it gets. Fiddling with a citizens gun and taking it from them ignores the constitution and the laws and now introduces a chance for Mr. Murphy to show up and before you know it someone is shot in the azz. It's unnecessary, unsafe and just silly.
 
Originally Posted By: GCAny LE that removes your gun and unloads it is an idiot.

In Oklahoma the officer can not take your gun unless he is arresting you.
 
Last edited:

Five years ago here in Ohio. I stopped for a accident. In case they need a witness.
When the Sheriff came, I told him I was armed. The Sheriff said "Okay"
I signed my statement and left. Every place is different.
I have had a CCW since 1969 and never had a problem.
With the way things are I leave my gun at home most days.
 
Let the officer know you are armed. If he asks for your weapon till the end of contact just give it and you will get it back at the end. No harm no fowl. I just ask where it is located and I usually ask them to not make any sudden movements and we’ll be good. Do not get defensive or start to challenge those are red flags that something is up.
 
I appreciate it when people let me know they have a gun on them or in the vehicle, while it is no guarantee, it's a strong indicator they are good to go.

I'm a Watch Commander with as many as many as twenty deputies under my charge at times. I don't like it when my folks take possession of citizen's guns for the duration of the stop or encounter without good reason, but I also can't tell the not to because that's 1) an individual officer's decision and discretion; and 2) the USSC says they can.

I will, and have, discussed their decisions to disarm citizens, and in do so, allowing them to understand perhaps how they made the citizen feel. What lasting impressions are left on citizen for being disarmed just because?

As a supervisor, it's a slippery slope but I try to encourage officers to maintain the status quo if possible and thank the citizen for letting them know they are armed because in our state you do not have to do so.
 
Last edited:
If you are pulled over in an area that's been allowed to burn the last couple years(and jail doors left open) I could see an officer being concerned for their safety. The same cautionary action may not occur where the left hasn't neutered law enforcement, and criminals are incarcerated. Unfortunately more of the country is being infiltrated by Soros type prosecutors.
 
Originally Posted By: crapshootOriginally Posted By: vahunterI went through a license check a few years ago. When the deputy asked for my license I went to reach for my wallet and noticed another deputy looking in the passenger side window. I hesitated and told the deputy my Glock was on my hip just above my wallet. His response " You leave yours's on your hip and I'll leave mine on mine". Couldn't have asked for a better response.

I've received the same response also.
You don't reach for yours and I won't reach for mine.

I've also had an officer take my gun, remove my magazine, strip the rounds from it and place everything on the top of my car with the instructions that I was free to retrieve them once he was gone.

Word for word what the officer told me too. The guy was very chill and let me off with a warning for 41 in a 25. Whoops lol.

My old man got caught up at a checkpoint late one night, he was sober as was his wife but he said the cop was super jittery once he found out my old man was carrying. The officer ended up taking it out, unloading it and running it. It was probably 1 or 2 in the AM
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top