[ev239]

Yesterday, I was pulled over for the first time since I've been carrying concealed. The reason I was pulled over was because the officer saw that my tag was expired. I hadn't received the new sticker even though I had paid it months ago. Anyways, for some reason I knew that's why he was pulling me over. For the past several months I've been an active member on www.defensivecarry.com and have read multiple posts where people have expressed their experience when getting pulled over and carrying so I thought I was ready.

I pulled onto a side street, rolled down my window, turned off my car, pulled out my license/insurance/GFL and place both hands on the steering wheel. The officer seemed a little surprised to see a GFL and asked if I had a firearm in the car. I said yes and he preceed on asking me a number of questions. Apparently, he thought you needed a separate "carry permit" and that a GFL wasn't sufficient. He also thought that in order to receive a "carry permit" you needed a qualifiable reason (being a judge or carrying lots of $$$). I told him that I didn't think that was the case and he responded that I should check up on the laws and make sure I wasn't breaking any. I thought it was strange that he wasn't more well versed in Georgia's CCW laws. He ended up letting me go after checking and making sure my tags weren't in fact expired.

I left wondering how many people in law enforcement don't know what a GFL is and means. Why doesn't the GFL have some indicator on it that would show it permits concealed carry?

 

[VolGrad]

.....he responded that I should check up on the laws and make sure I wasn't breaking any.

Isn't that his job???

 

[ber950]

You answered the question. They are not. However if you insist on informing the officer, even though its not required, that your carrying you should not have had to say "I don't think so" A more appropriate response would be You ain't from around here are you :?:

 

[ptsmith24]

I definitely wouldn't have showed GFL. Informing the officer isn't legally required in GA. Obviously use your discretion to inform the officer if necessary and don't lie.

 

[ev239]

Thanks, if it's not legally required then I will no longer do it.

 

[ptsmith24]

Thanks, if it's not legally required then I will no longer do it.

It's your choice. Some people recommend it, others don't. Just read and make the decision you feel most comfortable with.

 

[Jmark]

Thanks, if it's not legally required then I will no longer do it.

It's your choice. Some people recommend it, others don't. Just read and make the decision you feel most comfortable with.

I certainly would never show my GFL unless I was asked to step out of the vehicle. Seems like a reason to conduct a search and or detain you for longer than necessary in too many cases.

 

[wsweeks2]

I'm not required to disclose that info in GA, so I wouldn't in the event I would be stopped. If I were doing something wrong and felt that it might come up, I'd rather disclose the info instead of having them find out the hard way though.

 

[Dan H]

There was no reason to show your GFL, I would not have......

 

[chainsaw123]

did you get the officers name or badge number? I have a close relative that is a LT on roswell dept and would be more than happy to contact him and ask him to make sure his officers are more informed. Actually, maybe I could put mallum prohitum on to him as he would be so much more well versed at clarifying the law to him.

 

[foshizzle]

Write the police chief a letter detailing your experience, print out the laws on this site or from the GA code, and attach them. Ask him to please ensure that his officers are up-to-date on the most current laws regarding concealed (or carried openly) weapons in Georgia.

 

[wsweeks2]

Write the police chief a letter detailing your experience, print out the laws on this site or from the GA code, and attach them. Ask him to please ensure that his officers are up-to-date on the most current laws regarding concealed (or carried openly) weapons in Georgia.

If you write the letter to the chief, I would even add that you voluntarily produced your GFL in the interest of officer safety. That should cast a better light on you for looking out for his troops.

 

[Rammstein]

you voluntarily produced your GFL in the interest of officer safety.

lol

 

[Pede]

Stopped by an LEO

In the many books regarding CCW that I've read, most state that if you are not required to notify an LEO, dont'; however, if you are asked to step out of the car, then notify the officer that you are legally carrying and state, how do you want to handle it? Sounds like good advise to me.

 

[ev239]

if you are asked to step out of the car, then notify the officer that you are legally carrying and state, how do you want to handle it?

That is good advise. I do plan on printing out all of the laws reveiwing them to make sure I have them all down pat.

 

[Macktee]

I apologize for mentioning this as I'm sure you have more common sense and your momma taught you to be polite... But, I'm gonna mention it anyhow.

If you do write a letter, please don't start out with something like... "One of your poorly trained and ill informed officers who doesn't know diddly-squat about the laws regarding..."

We, at this site, already have something of an anti-LEO reputation. I think it's undeserved, but I've been told we have it. So, we really should do all we can to maintain a positive relationship with LEOs and their departments.

Oh yeah. If you do write that letter, let us know what happens.

 

[Taler]

Same church, different pew

In Roswell, once again...

Several weeks ago, early (7 ish) on a Saturday morning, my wife inadvertently tripped our burglar alarm, and then typed in the code for a false alarm. (Typically the alarm service company calls, but for some reason, didn't this time. Procedures with the alarm company have since been modified.)

I left within a couple of minutes with my firearm stuffed between the passenger seat belt receptacle and seat. As I turned the corner, I saw a patrol officer hustling up the street, then turn onto our street. I turned around and followed him to where he was parked two houses down and on the opposite side of the street from our house.

I drove up to him, rolled down my window, and asked if he was here for the alarm at our address.

He answered yes, and I told him it was a false alarm. He also said that dispartch was speaking with the lady of the house. He got our of his car, leaned down, and asked if I had some I.D. I had to turn to withdraw my wallet out of the side pocket in my car to get my driver's license.

The firearm was visible, but would have failed the plain view requirement. Though I was pretty sure he'd noticed on our first interchange, when I leaned over to hand the officer my license, I saw him focus for a split second on the gun.

He reviewed the info on my license, handed it back, and wished me a good morning.

Just for good measure, I pulled back into the driveway, opened the garage door and went in.

All-in-all, a non-event, especially considering he was responding to a burglary call.

 

[budder]

Re: Same church, different pew

In Roswell, once again...

Several weeks ago, early (7 ish) on a Saturday morning, my wife inadvertently tripped our burglar alarm, and then typed in the code for a false alarm. (Typically the alarm service company calls, but for some reason, didn't this time. Procedures with the alarm company have since been modified.)

I left within a couple of minutes with my firearm stuffed between the passenger seat belt receptacle and seat. As I turned the corner, I saw a patrol officer hustling up the street, then turn onto our street. I turned around and followed him to where he was parked two houses down and on the opposite side of the street from our house.

I drove up to him, rolled down my window, and asked if he was here for the alarm at our address.

He answered yes, and I told him it was a false alarm. He also said that dispartch was speaking with the lady of the house. He got our of his car, leaned down, and asked if I had some I.D. I had to turn to withdraw my wallet out of the side pocket in my car to get my driver's license.

The firearm was visible, but would have failed the plain view requirement. Though I was pretty sure he'd noticed on our first interchange, when I leaned over to hand the officer my license, I saw him focus for a split second on the gun.

He reviewed the info on my license, handed it back, and wished me a good morning.

Just for good measure, I pulled back into the driveway, opened the garage door and went in.

All-in-all, a non-event, especially considering he was responding to a burglary call.

:shock: You mean your GUN wasn't all the probable cause HE NEEDED?

I am so confused.

 

[Taler]

Re: Same church, different pew

:shock: You mean your GUN wasn't all the probable cause HE NEEDED?

I am so confused.

Maybe I just look honest... You know, clean cut boyish good looks.

Seriously, I'm not sure whether he had probable cause to ask for anything more than a GFL. I was happy to hand him my I.D. just to ease the tension it looked likw he was feeling.

Maybe the legal types would comment on probable cause in this case.

 

[wsweeks2]

Re: Same church, different pew

:shock: You mean your GUN wasn't all the probable cause HE NEEDED?

I am so confused.

MP has started a cult.