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LEO Feelings on CCW

4K views 51 replies 39 participants last post by  johnmltb 
#1 ·
As a Law Enforcement Officer what is your individual feeling on properly trained CCW adults in your area? Are they a welcome sight when you encounter them, a Pain in the *** to differentiate, doesn't matter? How could they become even better and more welcome in your experience?
 
#35 ·
I don't have a problem with anyone being armed, I carried with a CCW long before I was ever a cop. I do have a problem with the mind blowing ignorance many have even when it comes to the most basic self defense laws. I have been asked everything from "can I shoot someone who walks through my yard" to "can I shoot someone who yells at me in the grocery store parking lot" by people who were actually armed.

If you are going to carry learn at least the most basic use of force laws.
 
#36 ·
Well, the LEO who taught me to shoot a pistol supported my carrying wholeheartedly. And the LEO at church specifically told me to start carrying in church, so I'd say he's for it (I't MI, you need permission here for that). I've only ever had one LEO I've talked to be against CPL (So that's roughly a 10 to 1 ratio for CPL). He "didn't see the need" - possibly because he was 6'4" and 240# - life might be a little different when you are 5'4" and 120# and female. My experience has been a higher percentage of LEOs for CPL than any random group of citizens. YMMV?
 
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#37 ·
#38 ·
I welcomed carriers, CHL carriers, concealed in vehicle carriers - Texas and unconcealed long arms in vehicles carriers - Texas. I would also tell residential burglary victims that we need far many more burglars popped a long with robbers, rapists, etc for what crap they inflict on the public.

If there is a story of a bad guy popped in a good shoot, you will see me respond with joy and happiness. Also, "everyone is armed" so there would be no difference in how I handled my safety around people.
 
#39 ·
In our state, all CCW permits must go through the County Sheriff's office.

During the battle for CCW, MY County Sheriff came out very vocally against it. He campaigned against CCW.

The Bill passed and he did what he had to, in following the law and issuing permits to citizens.

A year after the CCW laws went into effect, this same Sheriff publically posted his change of opinion in the media, about CCW.

He stated that because of his office's experience over the past year, he has had no problems with CCW carriers, and now believed that if you went through the process, you were probably more safe for his officers than the general non-gun public. He stated he now was in favor of CCW.

I have had a few encounters with my state and local LEO's, and in every instance, they were professional and unaffected about my carrying a gun.

I am very proud of all the LEO's and their understanding of CCW in my state. They are a credit to law enforcement and the citizenry.
 
#40 ·
I always do my best to turn it into a positive experience. I ask them questions about their training and research (in a friendly, "have you tried this? type of way), talk about their gun and what kind of ammo they're carrying, etc., and I always thank them for being a responsible gun owner and so on and so forth. People are still sometimes hesitant to tell us we're carrying sometimes, so I always try and reinforce the behavior.

Iowa is NOT a must-inform state, and went from 'may issue' to 'shall issue' in 2011. The sheriff of my county (not my employer) was very adamantly against it. To this day, when there is a story of a resident of our county with a permit getting involved in something dicey with a firearm, Sheriff will make a statement to the media about how "this is a permit I would not have approved if we were still 'may issue.'" Aside from that, he is actually a really good sheriff and his guys like working for him.

Anyway, yeah, I don't have a problem with it. The average gun enthusiast shoots more than the average cop, in my experience, so odds are they're more well trained than a lot of my coworkers.
 
#41 ·
In my 30 yrs career I never had a problem with people that had a CCW Permits. I always thought that one of them just might save my ass some day. It is also an American right to self protection. This might get me flamed but IMHO everyone who carries a weapon should have to qualify once a year. I do mean everyone.
 
#42 ·
I think the majority of police frequenting Glocktalk are sympathetic to the cause, so to speak. I'm more interested in hearing about the talk they hear from other officers on the subject.
 
#44 ·
Our dept and sheriff are very supportive of armed law abiding citizens. As I stated in my previous post, our sheriff sponsors CCW classes. I can only speak for my area. But I can't really recall coming into contact with an LEO around here, who was against it. Other's experiences may vary.

MS has excellent gun laws and keep getting better. Dang near as good as any in the nation.
 
#43 ·
In the course of an interaction with someone, if I see their CCW license or the subject comes up, I will usually ask "you do have it, don't you?" If not, "why not?" I encourage anyone, who can legally do so, to carry.

The Sheriff I work for sponsors an Enhanced CCW class several times a year, providing the classroom and the range at no added cost. The only cost is for the class materials, books and such.
 
#45 ·
If the person is a truly well trained CCW carrier I would have no opinion since I should not be able to pick him out from the crowd. On the other hand if he or she is like many CCW folks I would notice the weapon and then start to wonder what they are up to. No action on my part just observe and be ready to deal with the situation if it developed. In general I don't have any specific issues with CCW permit holders but it does make life more interesting trying to separate the good guys from the bad.


Gospel.
 
#46 ·
I'm all for the carrying of firearms, for anyone who thinks they can be responsible, in all the areas firearms require due care.

One thing I ask, if I am dealing with you, officially, just tell me, I'll say "okay" and we'll move on. Surprise guns aren't a good thing-intentions be damned. Plus, how are we going to BS about who carries what, if I don't know you carry!
 
#47 ·
I am a certified LEO and can carry all over the country thanks to LEOSA.

I still pay for a CCW permit in my home county (coming up on my third 5 year card, second renewal). It costs me a lot of money $150+ every time, but it supports the cause.

I also value having it in case I get jammed up and put on leave for some BS and they pull my creds or I change agencies, or I just want to be anonymous and not carry the badge/ID off duty but still have a pistola for SHTF.

I support it 100% as long as they aren't a tool.
 
#49 ·
Also, I'm not a beat cop, but I have an opinion on this matter..

My personal opinion is it's irrelevant in most instances. Does crime go down when CCW laws pass? Maybe.. Some say it does, but I'm not really convinced of it to be honest. Frankly, I don't care if crime skyrockets when a ccw law passes. If it's not the law abiding citizens going to the hassles of getting a permit that are causing the uptick in crime, then it's irrelevant to CCW laws... but don't tell that to the political left.
 
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#50 ·
The folks in my area with a CHP have never been a problem. In fact, they are the most respectful and easiest to deal with. However, the open carry crowd...
 
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