TWO WORDS:  COMMON SENSE

At iconcealed.com we get a lot of questions about what to do and what not to do during a traffic stop while carrying concealed.

Here are a few common sense guidelines that could make all the difference between spending the night in the pokey (or worse) and being told to “drive safe” and “be on your way” by a member of law enforcement.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Aretha Franklin made the song famous.  You know the words.

Sing it loud and proud …and next time you’re involved in a traffic stop, RESPECT the officer who pulled you over.

Remember.  They can’t read your mind.  They don’t know you have a legal gun in your vehicle or that you have a permit to carry.  Don’t give law enforcement a reason to do anything more than issue you a citation.

Every traffic stop has the potential to turn deadly, so make the situation as easy and clear for the officer.  Better to be safe than sorry.

Bottom line: a PERCEIVED THREAT is the same thing as a REAL THREAT.

The Law

Being prepared is super-important.

Review your local laws to be sure you are compliant should you be pulled over with a legal concealed carry weapon in the vehicle.

Every county, every city, every state is different.  Verify local and state laws in the jurisdiction where you live.

Be PCC – Polite, Conscientious & Courteous

If you’re pulled over, keep any movement inside your vehicle to a minimum. Excessive movement could be interpreted as a threat and is a big fat no-no.

Officers understandably get nervous when they’re approaching your vehicle and observe you moving around a lot or reaching for something.

Okay, so here are a few behavioral do’s and don’ts:

Roll your window down when first pulled over.

Remain still with your hands on the steering wheel.  An officer will be especially sensitive to what your hands are doing at all times.  Don’t make any sudden movements that could give the officer a reason to worry.

Wait for the officer to TELL you what to do.  Don’t assume he/she will want to check out your insurance or registration.  Digging around your glove box will result in suspicion, fear and could turn out bad for everyone.

If possible, keep the interior light on to give the officer a good look inside the vehicle.

Repeat After Me: “Officer, I have a concealed carry permit…”

Let the officer know — cooly and calmly — that you have a permit to carry and that you are presently in possession of a firearm in your vehicle and where said firearm is located in said vehicle.

DO NOT USE THE WORD “GUN”!!!

Law enforcement will only use this word in a potentially dire situation where immediate action on their part is required.

If you have your firearm in your glove box and he/she asks to see your registration (which also happens to be in your glove box), apprise the officer of this and politely ask how to proceed.

Officers want to maintain control over the situation.

Let them.

Also, more and more states have made it mandatory to provide your permit with your license during a traffic stop, which again, takes us back to The Law section above. Review, rinse, repeat.

So What Did We Learn, Class?

If you follow our tips, officers will really appreciate it.  Oh, and they might even cut you a break. Identifying yourself as a CCW holder shows that you are responsible and will ease tension right away.

At iconcealed.com we care about your safety, the officer’s safety, and hope this step-by-step guide has been helpful.