So after i finished buying food to keep me alive for the work week, i decided to go brown bear and vacuum my car(i haven't cleaned it since 6 or so months ago). I saw the popo car do a u-turn and followed me to brown bear where he flashed his PoPo lights. Yada yada yada i gave him my license and my registration+insurance+copy of CPL all stapled together.
after he saw the copy of my license:
PoPo: Are you carrying right now
Me: Yes
PoPo: Do you have your license and weapon with you?
Me: Yes (i tried to grab my wallet to grab my CPL)
PoPo: STOP! what are you doing?
Me: Getting my CPL
PoPo: can you do me a favour and put your hands on the steering wheel and don't move.
Me: ok
PoPo: Where is your concealed weapon? I will take it for now so we avoid any trouble
Me: On right hip. By the seatbelt release.

So he grabs it and tells me that he'll put it in my car's trunk until we're done. So i popped the trunk after he instructed me. He comes back and explained why he pulled me over.
It was my gawd dang front license plate again. I put the plate on the windshield because the car looks cooler without the license plate hanging on the bumper. Blah blah blah conversation went on about front plate while second PoPo car checks on my pistol and my background, i think. He goes back to his car then a couple of minutes later, he slammed my trunk shut. He handed me my papers and license then told me my pistol is in the trunk. He said he wouldn't write me the $214(?) ticket for having no front plate due to the fact that i'm a CPL holder and CPL holders are usually clean and obey the rules . He then advised me not to get my pistol from the trunk until I'm away from the prying eyes of the public which i totally agree because alot of them are naive when it comes to firearm. I just went home after that.

Fourth time i've been pulled over for having no front plate and i dodged all the tickets. I think it's time for me to slap that plate back on the bumper before my luck runs out lol, like seriously.

But yea overall it was a good experience for my first PoPo encounter while CCW. He was a youngling cop from Shoreline PoPo department, around 28yrs old my guess, and he didn't made no big deal out of it.

Next time i get pulled over while CCing, i think i will be more relaxed . I was pretty tensed this time and my heart was like beating pretty fast though out. I also felt so chilly because i was thinking "oh shit what if he's one of those Officer harless of Canton PD type" :O!

Let me be the first to say: Next time, don't even mention the CPL or carrying a gun unless he asks you, or you are in a situation where you might expose it. Get rid of that CPL copy stapled to your registration.

In my opinion, there's usually no need to ever have the conversation. Plus, having him reach in and take my pistol would make me VERY nervous.



Agreed.

Washington does. not. require you to tell a officer you are carrying.. so don't unless it your are about to be arrested or searched.

"Sent via my own personal defense satellite"

but doesnt it show up(that you have CPL) anyway when they pull your name from their computer things?

I don't know, but even if it does . . . I stand behind my earlier opinion. The fact that you are legally carrying a pistol is a non-issue for a routine traffic stop.

If the officer learns that you have a CPL and is concerned enough to ask you about it, then tell him/her the truth. But if he/she doesn't ask, then leave it be.

What if you didnt find the pistol... And they had no record of your stop? Thats why, when they ask... you are carying a Hi-Point or Taurus ..

+ 1

As, MadPick said - him reaching in would make me very nervous. The less time people are fooling around with a gun - the smaller possibility of a ND. Leave it holster/unmolested and it won't bother anyone.

Fix the license plate and don't mention the CPL/concealed weapon the next time. It creates too much of a hassle/liability.

paranoid much? another reason why I always have my voice record option on my cell on at all stops.. lol

"Sent via my own personal defense satellite"

Nah, that was sarcasm, but if you have a voice recorder at the ready, maybe your the paranoid one?

Quick set of tips before I go to work:

There should only be 4 things you ever say (Usually) to a police officer when pulled over.

1.) Yes, Sir.
2.) No, Sir.
3.) Am I free to go? (NEVER: Is that all?)
4.) I do not consent to any searches of my vehicle or person. (Even if they ask, "Do you mind if I look in your vehicle?", this one is mostly a trap as it can be construed whatever way the officer wants)

Your actions:

1.) NEVER UNBUCKLE YOUR SEATBELT. Unless being asked to exit the vehicle. (This is a cash cow for lots of cities!)
2.) I always pull out my wallet prior to the officer getting out of his car. I set it in my lap in plain view. Mostly because of how I carry. YMMV (Do not do this if he is out already!)
3.) NEVER Remove your hands from the steering wheel unless instructed by the police officer.
4.) Eye Contact!
5.) Don't mention your CPL if you are not reaching for your wallet near your gun. (If in WA! KNOW The firearm laws of the state you are in!) They will already get this info when they run your name.
6.) NEVER USE THE WORD GUN. The young rookie with the cop, will only hear that word causing problems. Say Firearm, if you must.
7.) If asked to step out of the vehicle, lock the door behind you. Stating "I do not consent to any searches of my vehicle or person."
8.) And depending on where I am driving, the first thing out of my mouth is: "I am informing you that this conversation is being recorded for our safety, I have a dash cam with a microphone." (I have one that records 30 minutes so I have it in case of an accident.)

That is all I have for now. Enjoy.

Yup, volunteering that info is no bueno. Especially when you now have a LEO who is handling a firearm that he is not qualified to handle (safeties, operation etc). When he placed the gun in your trunk, you also consented to a search of your trunk via in-plain-sight.

Did the LEO keep the gun loaded?

I've been pulled over while CC as well, he saw the corner of CPL in my wallet when I removed my license and asked me if I was carrying, after that just just asked me to keep my hands on the steering wheel. He did not make any attempt to "secure" the weapon.

Hey, root - what kind of dash cam do you have?

Just a GoPro. They are solid little cameras.

tnX root, those some pretty good infos! and how long does the goPro record for?

Mass, It was unloaded and and slide pulled back when i found it in the trunk. He didn't snoop around in my trunk even though i unknowingly gave him permission when i opened the trunk.

I shall remove my CPL copy from you guy's advice. Seems to be less troublesome from you guy's experience suggestions.