Maverick, other law enforcement officers, question

[Ripsnort]

Our state CC law states:
"A person shall not carry or place a loaded pistol in any vehicle unless the person has a license to carry a concealed pistol and: (a) The pistol is on the licensee's person, (b) the licensee is within the vehicle at all times that the pistol is there, or (c) the licensee is away from the vehicle and the pistol is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view from outside the vehicle. "

My question regards this portion:
"(a) The pistol is on the licensee's person"

That is to say, that it is illegal to have the weapon in the glove box, under the seat, etc. while the person is IN the vehicle. The weapon must be on the person.

Wouldn't this be alittle disturbing to a police officer?  Wouldn't a cop rather have that weapon stored in the auto rather than on the person?  Is the law written this way specifically for a reason?  Just curious as your take on this.

[AKIron]

Sounds like they don't want someone else in the car having access to the pistol.

I don't believe Texas is this restrictive, will have to check.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by AKIron
Sounds like they don't want someone else in the car having access to the pistol.

I don't believe Texas is this restrictive, will have to check.

Thats my feelings too.  Still, it seems it would be disturbing to a police officer that the person actually has it on his/her person.

[john9001]

each state makes their own gun laws, in fla you can have a loaded gun in a unlocked glovebox or even a box on the pass seat without having a CC license.


concealed carry means that the gun MUST NOT be visable so when the cop asks for your drivers license hand him the CC card also and say you are carrying. the cop will then take temporary possession of the gun.

[AKIron]

Originally posted by john9001
each state makes their own gun laws, in fla you can have a loaded gun in a unlocked glovebox or even a box on the pass seat without having a CC license.

You can in Texas too, but only if you're traveling. Traveling is defined as crossing two county lines and the intent to be away for at least 24 hours.

[Dune]

In Arizona a loaded gun can be kept in the glove compartment or console if it is either in a hoslter or case.  And this is without a CCP.

[Terror]

In Missouri, it is legal to have a loaded firearm in the vehicle.  The vehicle is considered an extension of your home.  No Concealed Carry permit required.  The only rules on it are: you are 23 yrs of age, you legally own the firearm, and you are not under the influence of any intoxicating substance.

Terror

[Maverick]

It's a bit hard to give you a definitive answer on this as you have to get the actual intent of the legislator that drafted the law.

I can think of a couple of things here.

1. If it is on your person you are less likely to leave it behind in a holster or laying on the seat unsecured when you exit the vehicle for any reason.

2. It's harder to draw the weapon and use it if it is secured on your person in a holster than if you modify a holster for attatchemtnb to a car seat, door or dash for an ambush type of situation for anyone approaching your car.

As far as the locked glove box is concerned, think where most folks keep their registration and insurance info. If there is a gun in there the best thing is to advise the Officer about it and let them open the box and secure the weapon. Remember, they have no idea about you and have to be ready to assume the worst.

I'm reaching a bit here on these two simply because it's second guessing the legislators intent. Frankly your best be is to find who drafted the law and simply send a letter asking for an explanation. They may have gotten some kind of input from Prosecutors or Police and written it accordingly.

Approaching a vehicle on a stop, traffic or otherwise, is one of the most hazardous things any Law Enforcement Officer does during the performance of their job. They rarely have any information on the occupant(s) of the vehicle and are walking up blind to the situation. Ambush in this situation guarantees the first shots to the ambusher. All the Officer can do is approach and observe as best they can and narrow the shooting situation for the occupant as much as possible. Staying back off te drivers window, door is one of the main tactics to do this. It forces the ambusher to turn farther and gives the Officer the best chance to spot the weapon before it's fired. It's also a more awkward firing position for the driver and may spoil their aim.  

Hope this answers some of your questions.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by Maverick
It's a bit hard to give you a definitive answer on this as you have to get the actual intent of the legislator that drafted the law.

I can think of a couple of things here.

1. If it is on your person you are less likely to leave it behind in a holster or laying on the seat unsecured when you exit the vehicle for any reason.

2. It's harder to draw the weapon and use it if it is secured on your person in a holster than if you modify a holster for attatchemtnb to a car seat, door or dash for an ambush type of situation for anyone approaching your car.

As far as the locked glove box is concerned, think where most folks keep their registration and insurance info. If there is a gun in there the best thing is to advise the Officer about it and let them open the box and secure the weapon. Remember, they have no idea about you and have to be ready to assume the worst.

I'm reaching a bit here on these two simply because it's second guessing the legislators intent. Frankly your best be is to find who drafted the law and simply send a letter asking for an explanation. They may have gotten some kind of input from Prosecutors or Police and written it accordingly.

Approaching a vehicle on a stop, traffic or otherwise, is one of the most hazardous things any Law Enforcement Officer does during the performance of their job. They rarely have any information on the occupant(s) of the vehicle and are walking up blind to the situation. Ambush in this situation guarantees the first shots to the ambusher. All the Officer can do is approach and observe as best they can and narrow the shooting situation for the occupant as much as possible. Staying back off the drivers window, door is one of the main tactics to do this. It forces the ambusher to turn farther and gives the Officer the best chance to spot the weapon before it's fired. It's also a more awkward firing position for the driver and may spoil their aim.  

Hope this answers some of your questions.

Thanks Mav, that para I highlited above is exactly why I asked the question. Thanks again.

[anonymous]

Originally posted by Maverick
It's a bit hard to give you a definitive answer on this as you have to get the actual intent of the legislator that drafted the law.

I can think of a couple of things here.

1. If it is on your person you are less likely to leave it behind in a holster or laying on the seat unsecured when you exit the vehicle for any reason.

2. It's harder to draw the weapon and use it if it is secured on your person in a holster than if you modify a holster for attatchemtnb to a car seat, door or dash for an ambush type of situation for anyone approaching your car.

As far as the locked glove box is concerned, think where most folks keep their registration and insurance info. If there is a gun in there the best thing is to advise the Officer about it and let them open the box and secure the weapon. Remember, they have no idea about you and have to be ready to assume the worst.

I'm reaching a bit here on these two simply because it's second guessing the legislators intent. Frankly your best be is to find who drafted the law and simply send a letter asking for an explanation. They may have gotten some kind of input from Prosecutors or Police and written it accordingly.

Approaching a vehicle on a stop, traffic or otherwise, is one of the most hazardous things any Law Enforcement Officer does during the performance of their job. They rarely have any information on the occupant(s) of the vehicle and are walking up blind to the situation. Ambush in this situation guarantees the first shots to the ambusher. All the Officer can do is approach and observe as best they can and narrow the shooting situation for the occupant as much as possible. Staying back off te drivers window, door is one of the main tactics to do this. It forces the ambusher to turn farther and gives the Officer the best chance to spot the weapon before it's fired. It's also a more awkward firing position for the driver and may spoil their aim.  

Hope this answers some of your questions.

Maverick ive got a question. a few years back some police trained with us during one of our courses. naturally they go for beers with us end of every days or nights training. one of them said that best thing to do when pulled over is turn on interior lights and put both hands on steering wheel. he says this lets police officer see exactly whats going on and diffuses things a little. any credence to this?

[Maverick]

Anon,
Yep they gave you good info there. It's much nicer to be able to see inside the vehicle without having your vision limited by the beam of your flashlight. Keeping your hands on plain sight also indicates there is no weapon in them.

Rip, Glad to have helped.

[anonymous]

Originally posted by Maverick
Anon,
Yep they gave you good info there. It's much nicer to be able to see inside the vehicle without having your vision limited by the beam of your flashlight. Keeping your hands on plain sight also indicates there is no weapon in them.

Rip, Glad to have helped.

thanks for answer. so if someone does this theres no assumption that you a criminal whos "been there before?". havent been pulled over since i got the advice but i was always thinking that maybe its like when they talked about knowing how a guy had been in prison because he put hands on back of head when they tell him to turn around but before they grab his wrists.

[Maverick]

Assumptions can get you killed. You have to act as if the worst case scenario is definately possible, because it is. Some things will trigger your own perceptions and you handle these people with more caution than others. This can be because you spotted what "look like" prison tats, or behavior as well as body language. Don't figure that just because a person is cooperating that they will continue to do so. It's very dangerous to get in arms reach of a person you're arresting. You are automatically in range of all weapons at that time and a knfe will kill you very quickly if you are not ready for a violent action. All it takes is a split second and you can't react fast enough to stop it if you're caught unawares. Been there and got the shirt. The vest was able to stop the broad blade knife that was up his sleeve. I was too complacent since he "seemed" fairly harmless.

[anonymous]

Originally posted by Maverick
Assumptions can get you killed. You have to act as if the worst case scenario is definately possible, because it is. Some things will trigger your own perceptions and you handle these people with more caution than others. This can be because you spotted what "look like" prison tats, or behavior as well as body language. Don't figure that just because a person is cooperating that they will continue to do so. It's very dangerous to get in arms reach of a person you're arresting. You are automatically in range of all weapons at that time and a knfe will kill you very quickly if you are not ready for a violent action. All it takes is a split second and you can't react fast enough to stop it if you're caught unawares. Been there and got the shirt. The vest was able to stop the broad blade knife that was up his sleeve. I was too complacent since he "seemed" fairly harmless.

you spend any time teaching at academy?

[Maverick]

A bit. I was a general subject, traffic / collision and defensive tactics instructor. The accademy had a full time instructional staff but had several of us also as trained instructors to call on for "outside" experiance and technical training. We also took up the load for times when the regular staff was off work for vacations sick and so on.