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AR15.COM
1/10/2015 8:48:01 PM EDT
I posted this in the Mass hometown section but, I got no response, so here goes.


Here's a question I've been trying to find an answer to:

Here is the scenario; You're driving down a road (any road, doesn't matter) in Mass. when you see blue lights in your review mirror. Your ccwing when Officer/Trooper walks up to your door. What do you do?

Many years ago, when I fist got my LTC, I asked a very similar question. What do I do if approached by a cop? Do I tell him/her I'm carrying? My instructor at the time said "No". What they don't know, won't hurt them. Keep in mind this was years prior to police having access to in cruiser computers and the linking of various records sources.

Fast forward to today and my understanding is, when a cop runs your plate, the fact that you have a LTC pops up also. Now I'm being told by a few different sources that you're expected to place your hands on the steering wheel and, once the officer gets to your window, inform him/her you are carrying, and follow instructions.

So, to my question. What is my LEGAL obligation? I'm not looking for opinion here. I want MGL chapter and section. Can anyone provide this for me please? Thanks
1/10/2015 8:52:09 PM EDT
[#1]
Does MA have a legal duty to inform? My interweb search skills say NO.



If not, don't make a big deal out of something that's not a big deal.
1/10/2015 8:55:05 PM EDT
[#2]
I can't carry where I'm living so I'm probably way off base. But, when he gets to your window and asks for your credentis give him your CCW card as well. Chances are he'll ask if your carrying then you can answer.

Again, I don't carry because my socialist state won't allow me to so take what I say with a grain of salt because chances are I'm wrong.
1/10/2015 8:55:51 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
Does MA have a legal duty to inform? My interweb search skills say NO.

If not, don't make a big deal out of something that's not a big deal.
View Quote



I'm more curious than anything else but, I'd also like to avoid making a legal blunder should the circumstance present itself.
1/10/2015 9:07:28 PM EDT
[#4]
State laws are all different.  If you have no legal duty to inform then keep your mouth shut - its a non-issue and shouldn't even be part of the conversation for a standard traffic stop.
1/10/2015 9:31:52 PM EDT
[#5]
Contact your state Attorney General's office for clarification.
1/10/2015 9:34:08 PM EDT
[#6]
I don't know about your duty to inform, but I always put both hands on the wheel where they are visible.
1/11/2015 1:10:01 AM EDT
[#7]
IN MI there is a duty to inform. That said I dont get all skived out when someone tells me that they are carrying (been a cop for 20 years). I say if you have a duty to inform do, in not dont.

J-
1/11/2015 1:12:28 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:
Does MA have a legal duty to inform? My interweb search skills say NO.

If not, don't make a big deal out of something that's not a big deal.
View Quote


Thread/
1/11/2015 1:13:09 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Quoted:
I can't carry where I'm living so I'm probably way off base. But, when he gets to your window and asks for your credentis give him your CCW card as well. Chances are he'll ask if your carrying then you can answer.

Again, I don't carry because my socialist state won't allow me to so take what I say with a grain of salt because chances are I'm wrong.
View Quote


OP, do not follow this advice.
1/11/2015 1:22:56 AM EDT
[#10]


There's no magical "CCW" shit that shows up on your license check in PA. We don't know unless you mention it. We're not the fucking NSA
1/11/2015 1:38:35 AM EDT
[#11]
1. State law on this topic will vary for each state. USAcarry probably has the info you need.
2. Individual cities may have ordinances that cover it if the state law doesn't. So it can literally vary from state to state or city to city even if the state law doesn't cover it. Most cities probably won't have an ordinance on it though.



Some people hand DL and permit at the same time.


I generally assume there is a gun in every vehicle anyways Its pretty common here for people to drop a handgun in the center console or the pocket of the door.



1/11/2015 1:42:28 AM EDT
[#12]
no need to inform in MA //// end thread
1/11/2015 9:41:24 AM EDT
[#13]
In the last few years, Ohio changed to no duty to inform.  That said, in several cases where I interacted with the police, I have informed them that I had a CCW and that I was carrying.  In every case they said "thank you" and we went on about the business at hand.
1/11/2015 11:46:08 AM EDT
[#14]

Quote History
Quoted:





I'm more curious than anything else but, I'd also like to avoid making a legal blunder should the circumstance present itself.

View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:



Quoted:

Does MA have a legal duty to inform? My interweb search skills say NO.



If not, don't make a big deal out of something that's not a big deal.


I'm more curious than anything else but, I'd also like to avoid making a legal blunder should the circumstance present itself.



So........go read your state laws.