Dealing With Police While Armed

Dealing With Police While Armed

When you are armed you must use extreme caution when dealing with the police. If they find your firearm or otherwise notified about your firearm, the officer may become very jumpy.

When dealing with police you must always be respectful and follow their orders. This is common knowledge. But when you involve a firearm that is not being controlled by the officer things change drastically.

What to do

Always know and follow your local laws for dealing with the police. Each state has their own laws for how to act when in contact with law enforcement while you are armed. In some states you only have a short time to notify them that your armed. Be sure to quickly and properly notify them that you are legally carrying a firearm. Keep your hands visible at all times. Never touch your firearm unless directed to do so. Follow all instructions given by the officers.

What to expect

There are several things to expect to happen. When you notify them they may request backup from other nearby officers. The officer may pull his own gun on you. They will bark orders. You may be placed in handcuffs for a short time. You may be searched for other weapons. Your firearm(s) may be taken or placed where you can not access it. This is not infringing on any of your rights. This is done for officer security. They do not know you or if you have ill intentions. As long as you remain calm and cooperate everything will be fine.

Personal Experiences

I have personally had experiences with police while I was armed. I was pulled over for going slightly over the speed limit, 5-7mph if I remember correctly. I promptly pulled over when I saw the officer behind myself. I kept my hands visible and when he approached the car he noticed this and asked if I had a firearm. I told him that I did and he requested that I leave my hands there and not move. The officer requested assistance and awaited their arrival. The officer then requested I get out of the vehicle and stand in front. He patted me down and told me to stay put. The officer retrieved my firearm and unloaded it. He placed it in my trunk so I could not have easy access to the firearm. We talked for a few minutes and all was fine. I received a warning for my speed.

If I had not followed the officers orders or not acted properly things could have turned out much differently. As long as you cooperate to the best of your ability and are courteous you should not have problems on those rare encounters with law enforcement.

Have you ever had to deal with the police while carrying a firearm? Let’s hear your story back at GunPreparedness.com