(cross posted from Brothers of the Shield forum)

My wife was pulled over yesterday for speeding. I was in the passenger seat holding our brand new 8 week old Great Dane pup. We were in a neighboring state that has a reciprocity agreement with my state.

The deputy couldn't decipher the contract for our rental car, so he asked for my license as well because I had rented the car, and my wife was just listed as an authorized driver. I handed him my DL with one hand and my CFP in the other, so that he could see both my hands. At the same time I told him, “I am a permit holder and I have a pistol in my right front pocket. What would you like me to do?" In the back of my mind I was commending myself for how I was handling the situation

He said, “That's fine... just keep your hands out front.”

“No problem, deputy."

A moment later he was trying to find the phone number for the rental agency, and in my eagerness to be cooperative (the whole honey/vinegar thing) I said, "Oh I have the managers card" and reached for the exact same pocket I had just told him contained a pistol!

Very quickly he backup away, put his hand on his still-holstered gun and in a firm but still professional voice said, "Please keep those hands out front!"

I couldn't believe how shocked I was by my own stupidity. I began apologizing faster than the ranch hand caught with the farmer's daughter! And kept my hands firmly pressed into the dash until the "transaction" was completed.

I was impressed by this deputy’s training and self control. If you were to see us, you would never judge us a threat. And I doubt he did at first. BUT when a sign of a threat did emerge, he instantly elevated his alert, retreated slightly to put himself in a better tactical position and most of all… maintained control: of himself, us, and of the situation, keeping us all safe.

Good job, Deputy! Since I could not tell you I the above during the traffic stop (it would just sound like sucking up), I’m posting it here… just in case.

But I also have a question for you peace officers out there. Would a letter to the deputy’s department commending him on his action and restraint be out of line? Would it be looked at as a snide comment from a bitter ticket getting (actually my wife got the ticket, but it all comes out of the same pocket)?

What say you?

A question for the mods... can I cross post this in the CC forum? Perhaps someone can learn from my sudden collapse into stupidity.

If you send the letter, just commend him on his professionalism.  Don't go into great detail about how you were carrying, etc.  No telling what his department's policy is on armed CHL holders.

Cop thread....with dog......must resist..............



Seriously though, I agree with Rob.

Why did you feel you had to tell him you were armed? You never know what attitude you may be dealing with. In Pa I'm not required to tell an officer I'm armed and won't in your situation. I'm not smart with police but I never brown nose them either. We have two (patrolman, detective) in the family and they're OK but some of their cop buddies are real head cases. In the future I suggest you just answer traffic questions when asked.

Quoted: Why did you feel you had to tell him you were armed? You never know what attitude you may be dealing with. In Pa I'm not required to tell an officer I'm armed and won't in your situation. I'm not smart with police but I never brown nose them either. We have two (patrolman, detective) in the family and they're OK but some of their cop buddies are real head cases. In the future I suggest you just answer traffic questions when asked.

In some states you have to tell cops.  If you make a habit of not telling them in TX you can lose your CHL over it.

I believe it's best to always tell them, whether i'm required to or not.  That way in the event that they find out later, they don't mistake my restraint for attempted deceit.

I follow the law like most people. I know in other states you are required to tell them and you should if required. Pa isn't one of those states.

Quoted: Why did you feel you had to tell him you were armed?

It's the law in my state. In fact, in our state when they call in your license, they'll be told you have a permit. If you haven't already told the PO that you're a permit holder and armed, he comes back a little upset. You can lose your permit. I couldn't find specific info concerning the matter on COs website, so I figured better safe than sorry.

Quoted: Quoted: Why did you feel you had to tell him you were armed?   It's the law in my state. In fact, in our state when they call in your license, they'll be told you have a permit. If you haven't already told the PO that you're a permit holder and armed, he comes back a little upset. You can lose your permit. I couldn't find specific info concerning the matter on COs website, so I figured better safe than sorry.

In Colorado, you don't have the duty to inform.  
I'd say you made a good decision (about informing the deputy, not reaching for your pistol ).