[CA Escapee]

I was hit in an intersection on my way home from work tonight. I was making a left turn on a green arrow when a driver approaching from the other direction ran the red light and glanced off the front of my truck. (Hyundai vs. FJ Cruiser)

His airbags deployed, mine didn't; both vehicles are messed up. I called 911 because he wasn't doing too well. When the local P.D. arrived and before giving the officer a quick overview of what happened I pulled out my permit and handed it to the officer and told him I was carrying. He said, "Thanks for letting me know," and got down to controlling traffic.

As more and more fire and police showed up a second officer was collecting insurance and registration info, and driver licenses. When she asked me for my license I gave her my permit also and told her I was carrying. She asked where's your gun? I told her it's holstered under my shirt on my right side. She too said "Thanks," and went about her business.

Other than that it was a total non-issue. (Makes me wonder why I'm posting this in the Carry "Issue" forum!?!)

Bill

[rilkil23]

Is it mandatory to offer the fact you are carrying? Hope you're ok and don't have any delayed pain of any kind. Was the guy drinking?

[CA Escapee]

Originally Posted by rilkil23

Is it mandatory to offer the fact you are carrying? Hope you're ok and don't have any delayed pain of any kind. Was the guy drinking?

No, it's not mandatory, but with all the wind along the Front Range and walking around the scene and leaning on the black & white to fill out forms, etc., I thought I'd let them know before my shirt blew around and exposed my pistol.

I should be ok, I'm not sure about the driver or passenger of the other car, though. They sat in their car in all the airbag smoke without opening a door or window until I opened up the back door to air it out for them. Then, they sat there until the fire department got there. I was busy talking to the police, but heard they took the driver to the hospital.

Bill

[Psychman]

Originally Posted by CA Escapee

No, it's not mandatory, but with all the wind along the Front Range and walking around the scene and leaning on the black & white to fill out forms, etc., I thought I'd let them know before my shirt blew around and exposed my pistol.

I should be ok, I'm not sure about the driver or passenger of the other car, though. They sat in their car in all the airbag smoke without opening a door or window until I opened up the back door to air it out for them. Then, they sat there until the fire department got there. I was busy talking to the police, but heard they took the driver to the hospital.

Bill

I think you played it exactly right regardless of what the law states about duty to inform. By providing at least two cops with a positive CCW experience you probably helped the next CCW person these particular officers come into contact with.

[BryanG]

I was in the same type situation in 2006. I had my two sons who were 11 and 9 years old in the car and a driver turned left in front of us. We T-boned him. The only difference was it was December and I was wearing a coat.

I never mentioned I was carrying and the officers never asked.

MO is not a must notify state.

[RussP]

Glad you weren't hurt. Hope the other driver is okay, too.

You say, "Front Range," you're in the Denver area. Would you mind saying what PD it was?

[coachrowsey]

Originally Posted by Psychman

I think you played it exactly right regardless of what the law states about duty to inform. By providing at least two cops with a positive CCW experience you probably helped the next CCW person these particular officers come into contact with.

I agree. As a former officer I can tell you that once you advised me & showed your permit there would be no problem.

Op, I hope everyone is ok.

[Unistat]

The two times I was in an accident since I got my permit (neither were my fault,) I did basically the same thing. The results were also the same. It was a non-issue.

btw, Michigan is a must-inform state.

[Cherokee Slim]

I was also in an accident. I didn't have to let him know I was carrying but I did. He asked me to give it to him, he unloaded it and spent 30 minutes talking about how unusual it was. (Colt New Agent, .45acp) No real issue at all.
Cherokee Slim

[RocPO]

Originally Posted by coachrowsey

I agree. As a former officer I can tell you that once you advised me & showed your permit there would be no problem.

Op, I hope everyone is ok.

As an active PO, I appreciate the heads up. It saves both of us if some accidental "flashing" leads to a limpdick passerby yelling "gun!" And a less happy outcome

Outdoor Hub mobile, the outdoor information engine

[mingaa]

I'm with you - with extended contact on the scene and the possibility of printing or accidentally exposing I'd probably bring it up depending on my gut. If they run your plates they will know (correct in all states?) - In MO with coat cover I can see that as a non-issue - very low chance of a mis-read of the situation. I live in MO and when in an accident similar to yours I did the same thing with the same reaction. Traffic stops are different 3 stops 1 ask. I respond, officer says "thank you" - we're done. Opinions will vary.

[Gunnut 45/454]

Yep I don't have to notify either, I let the situation dictate wether I do or not! In yours I would done the same thing.

[robhic]

I'd guess that you first find out if it is mandatory in your location. Then, regardless, I'd suspect that mandatory or not, it would be a smart idea to inform the police on the scene of your CCW for a number of reasons.

[G17gen3]

It's not mandatory here either but I have notified when getting pulled over for speeding...and got given a verbal warning vs ticket both times. Not sure that the CCW permit helped but who knows. BTW a close friend (and police officer) advised me against informing officers as his dept wan't too keen on the whole CCW permit movement and may cause me trouble if they know I'm armed.

[mingaa]

Looking for LEO input - does CCW status come up with plates or is that a per-system option? A myth? Obviously if hubby has the permit and the wife (GF, friend) registers the car that's a no - otherwise, my car?? TY.

[rilkil23]

I am in Colorado where we do not have to disclose but I think I would. I don't know for sure as I have not been involved in a situation involving the police but it just seems like a good idea. I understand some argue against but I don't want to alarm the officer of someone in the area.

[davsco]

Originally Posted by Cherokee Slim

No real issue at all.

In my opinion, there is a huge issue. You (presumably) did nothing wrong, were not threatening or hostile, yet the cop took your gun. So with all the movement, loading and unloading from his action, he created the possibility for an accidental discharge.

Kudos to the OP's officer and the other cops mentioned above who did the right thing - nothing.

[BamaBud]

Originally Posted by mingaa

Looking for LEO input - does CCW status come up with plates or is that a per-system option? A myth? Obviously if hubby has the permit and the wife (GF, friend) registers the car that's a no - otherwise, my car?? TY.

Not in ALabama. No records tied to your car registration.

[LApm9]

Originally Posted by CA Escapee

...
Other than that it was a total non-issue. (Makes me wonder why I'm posting this in the Carry "Issue" forum!?!)

Bill

Good post! We all need to hear the good stories too. It helps reduce anxiety and improve confidence.

Amazing how well courtesy works! By notifying, you gave the officers the option on how they wanted to handle the situation in a non-stressful situation.

[JuneyBooney]

Originally Posted by CA Escapee

No, it's not mandatory, but with all the wind along the Front Range and walking around the scene and leaning on the black & white to fill out forms, etc., I thought I'd let them know before my shirt blew around and exposed my pistol.

I should be ok, I'm not sure about the driver or passenger of the other car, though. They sat in their car in all the airbag smoke without opening a door or window until I opened up the back door to air it out for them. Then, they sat there until the fire department got there. I was busy talking to the police, but heard they took the driver to the hospital.

Bill

I have actually seen people roll on the ground until the pd tells them it was "their fault". Glad you are ok.

[frontier2011]

Originally Posted by rilkil23

Is it mandatory to offer the fact you are carrying? Hope you're ok and don't have any delayed pain of any kind. Was the guy drinking?

Mandatory in my state.

[wrangler_dave9]

I know that in Utah, LEOs use Spillman for their state database access. It does show up in the system that your are a CCP holder. It not required to let the officer know if you're carrying, but if you do, the officer will usually respect you more because they know that you're informing them for their safety and yours.


Outdoor Hub mobile, the outdoor information engine

[ca survivor]

Originally Posted by rilkil23

Is it mandatory to offer the fact you are carrying? Hope you're ok and don't have any delayed pain of any kind. Was the guy drinking?

in Florida is mandatory, and the LEOs get all exited about it......I had to tell one, don't you realize that if I wanted to shoot you you be dead already? he calm down a bit

[Sharkey]

Originally Posted by ca survivor

in Florida is mandatory, and the LEOs get all exited about it......I had to tell one, don't you realize that if I wanted to shoot you you be dead already? he calm down a bit

Yeah that is a great way to start a conversation on a traffic stop where they are supposedly all excited
about it?

[Bren]

Originally Posted by CA Escapee

Other than that it was a total non-issue. (Makes me wonder why I'm posting this in the Carry "Issue" forum!?!)

Bill

You are not in California any more, I take it.