One can either announce it verbally, or better yet, just hand the CHL to the officer along with the driver’s license and insurance. At all times, keep your hands in plain view and be polite. If it’s a night stop, turn on the interior lights so that you are visible.
Some states require a verbal announcement, some don’t. You should know the state laws for where you are. For example, in Texas, verbal announcement is not required, but in Louisiana, it is.
The best way is to tell the officer: “Officer, I’m licensed to carry, I have it on me, how do you want to proceed?” Do NOT use the word “Gun” for any reason.
Like Texas, you don’t need to inform a cop that you are carrying in PA, and I don’t intend to mention anything about it if I am pulled over. I have no intention of using the word “gun” or bringing up the issue. If directly asked, I will inform the cop whether or not I have a gun with me in the car, and if I do, where it is located. I will not be making any sudden moves no matter what.
I have my carry permit, but seldom carry, and I don’t plan on bringing up the subject or handing over my permit if I get pulled over. I haven’t been pulled over in the dozen years I’ve had a permit, so I don’t know what is usually asked.
As for the OP question, my inclination is “Hello, officer. I have a good idea, and I know I was driving responsibly”. In other words, polite and responsive, but admitting nothing.
Texas does require permit holders to inform LEOs in a contact situation.
If I am not carrying, I’ll still give the officer the license and tell them I am not carrying, because when the officer runs my ID, it will show that I have one.
It’s different here in PA> Our law reads that we have no duty to inform, but must show ID and carry permit if required to have one at that time. There is much debate about this on the PA gun rights forum I visit, as we are not required to have a permit to openly carry while on foot. It’s necessary to have a permit to carry while driving, though. So, by law, there is no legal requirement to have a carry permit to openly carry, nor a duty to show an officer a carry permit while on foot. If driving, it is necessary to have a permit, so one must be shown if requested. There is no duty, however, to inform an officer that one has a permit or is or isn’t carrying before being asked. As I said, I see no reason to bring up any possessions I might have on me, such as my wallet, keys, pocketknife, casino rewards card, carry permit or firearm unless it’s pertinent to what’s happening. Frankly, I don’t want somebody I don’t know, including a cop, handling my loaded firearm.
I can’t vouch for the absolute accuracy, but this website Duty To Inform shows that there are 12 states, including Texas, where you have to inform a police officer that you are carrying a firearm. Of the remaining states, only two have the duty to inform if asked, namely Arizona and Illinois. In those states, you must disclose to an officer that you are carrying if they ask. You will then have to produce a permit.
This is just another example of the confusing hodgepodge of laws from state to state. Many people erroneously believe that laws are similar around the country.
No, and that’s not what I wrote, or what the linked website says. In the 12 states that have “duty to inform”, a person who is carrying must volunteer this information and show the permit at the beginning of a police interaction.
In my state, we don’t need to do this. We also don’t have to show our permit nor answer the question unless legally required to have the permit at the time the question is asked. So, if I am walking down the street, openly carrying a gun in a holster, I don’t need to answer the question or show my permit because a permit isn’t needed to open carry. Legally, as I understand it, I can simply ask the cop if I am being detained or free to go without showing my permit or answering his question.
If I am driving and am armed, I do need to answer the question and show my permit because a permit is required while driving.
But, no, you should never lie to a cop. Not answering, or avoiding the question, when not required is not lying.
I’d be interested in knowing how this works out in an actual traffic stop.
What do you plan on saying if he asks? Just sit there, mute? Say something like “I’m not required by law to answer that question”? Or something else? I’m genuinely curious.
And of course, how do you think the officer will react to your response?
In a traffic stop where I was in a car? I would be legally required to answer the question and show my permit. But not while walking down the street.
Personally, I don’t know how it works out. Most likely, I would answer the question, and show the cop my permit. I don’t really want to get into a pissing match with a cop, even if I am (pretty) sure I’m right that I don’t need to answer him or show him my permit.
BUT, there is discussion on a PA gun forum I visit where people give advice to say what you wrote in your second paragraph: tell the cop that he has no legal right to demand to see ID or permit, and ask if they are being detained.
I wouldn’t do that unless I really wanted to make a point, affirm my rights, put up with nonsense, and was either videotaping it myself or knew someone else was. And had time to waste. Because I would expect it to go over about as well as it does in the videos that people post on youtube.
Example of what we are discussing:
I completely agree that cops need to be reminded/informed that they have limits on their behavior, but it's not easy to do.
