What to do if stopped for speeding

What to do if stopped for speeding
copyright 2017 by jon gutmacher


Had a recent email on "a recurrent question" -- what to do if you're stopped for speeding, and the cop asks you if you have  a firearm?

Well . . .  my first response would be . . .  "don't speed"!

Of course,  we all know how far that advice will go . . . so . . . what's my second best answer?

I guess I could say:  read the book -- it's actually in there since the 6th edition . . . but since I know the book looks really great on that table you have it on to impress your guests when they come in . . . and you don't want to get it creased or anything . . .   here goes:

Since you ask . . . .   and contrary to what some others say,  if stopped by an officer (once when I was ten) I never advise or volunteer I have a firearm UNLESS --  (1)  it's in a place where it will probably become obvious anyway;  (2)  it is in a place near my id which I will need to reach;  (3)  it is on my person and he may see it if I exit;   (4) I have several NRA stickers on my car and a large Rebel flag;  or  (5) I am actually asked.   In #5 -- (as the book says -- pp 74-75 in the Ninth) while you are under no legal obligation to tell him -- lying would be a MAJOR mistake.  Instead, use those legal words he or she will likely recognize, and advise that you have a firearm "securely encased", and (if you have a CWL) that you also have a CWL.  Ask the officer "what he would like you to do" at that point.  DO NOT touch, or point to the firearm, or open or reach for the place where it is located!!!!!!!!   If he wants to see the firearm -- unless he or she is entirely nuts -- they will ask you to step out, and away from the vehicle first -- and then THEY will retrieve it -- not you.

Hopefully, that is all you need to know.  If for some reason you have lucked out with somebody who barely got thru the Academy, and thinks only cops and criminals have guns -- hopefully you have a spare copy of my book in the vehicle, and you can try my other suggestion (also in the book since the 6th edition -- hint!!!!)  by saying:  "Officer,  I'm sure you know the law better than I do,  but I have this book here that's used in several police academies and the court system, and it says I'm doing it legally.  Could you please just take a look at the book???"

In case you want to know what usually happens at that point . . .  and I hate to say this . . . guess what?  Yup . . . you guessed it!  That answer is also in the book -- read it!

Hope this helped.