Stopped by State Police - First Time While Carrying

[MarcSpaz]

Well, for the first time ever, I was involved in a police interaction while carrying. I have to say, it went way better than I expected.

It was a routine traffic stop involving a VA State Trooper. I was seriously nervous. My P226 was on the seat next to me. I dropped it on the floor so it was not just out there. The Trooper came over to the car. I handed him my DL and CHP and left my hands on the wheel.

We spoke for a few seconds and the he went to his car for about 120 seconds and came back. He handed my DL and CHP. He ask if I was carrying now. I said "Yes Sir". He said "Okay, thanks. Just try to remember to use your turn signal.". I said "Yes Sir."

The Trooper was awesome. He was very friendly. I think he was pretty comfortable with me since I was right up front with him. I had screwed up and was very humble too. Evrything I said was very respectful; yes Sir, no Sir, etc. No BS excuses either. I hope that helped.

All in all, it was a great experiance with the Trooper.

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[Snakester]

Any time someone gets stopped by a State Trooper and doesn't get a Ticket...Is a Good Day ! Very smart on your part to be respectful . I'm sure they hear enough BS all day long !

[Reverenddel]

That's magic right there!

When you get a LEO that realizes WE aren't bad guys!

[dorminWS]

My personal experience with Virginia state cops has been uniformly favorable. The worst I've dealt with have been efficient and inoffensive. Most have been good people; and many are damn good fellers. I occasionally hear about a "new" trooper who's "out to make a name for himself" and playing "gotcha", but as often as not that's from some older trooper I know well. I can't say that about the troopers in Tennessee, though. I once had a run-in with a Sergeant down there and narrowly escaped getting thrown in jail over an honest misunderstanding. Guy was a real horse's ass. Took something completely and unjustifiably wrong and refused to let me even open my mouth to explain. Was obviously trying to provoke me to do something to justify further action by him.

On a couple of occasions I've been stopped while carrying (never for an offense) be Va. State Troopers and it went pretty much as the OP said.

Of course, out here in the Great Southwest, we live in a very different world than you folks who are part of the eastern metropolitan blight. Could be our Troopers figure they can afford to not be wound quite so tight; at least not all the time.

[MarcSpaz]

...Of course, out here in the Great Southwest, we live in a very different world than you folks who are part of the eastern metropolitan blight. Could be our Troopers figure they can afford to not be wound quite so tight; at least not all the time.

It is a different world for sure. I would love to live out there. I am an IT guy though. Its hard to make money in rural America in IT. Maybe I can retire to the country.

[dorminWS]

...Of course, out here in the Great Southwest, we live in a very different world than you folks who are part of the eastern metropolitan blight. Could be our Troopers figure they can afford to not be wound quite so tight; at least not all the time.

It is a different world for sure. I would love to live out there. I am an IT guy though. Its hard to make money in rural America in IT. Maybe I can retire to the country.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I thought you IT guys could telecommute from anywhere to anywhere. Besides, Northrup-Grumman and one other big outfit have Data centers out here in neighboring Russell County. The Northrup-Grumman one is the State of Va.'s backup location. We're getting to be HIGH-TECH rednecks these days.

[Kreutz]

My limited experience with VA cops has been quite good in terms of being afforded civility and respect.

My limited experience with cops in NY was negative with two exceptions (one suffolk county cop who helped out my wife and sister in law and a NY state trooper who helped me out of a jam without paperwork).

People in around me overall seem better mannered than NY so it does stand to reason it's statistically more likely the cops drawn from this populace will be better behaved on average.

[MarcSpaz]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I thought you IT guys could telecommute from anywhere to anywhere. Besides, Northrup-Grumman and one other big outfit have Data centers out here in neighboring Russell County. The Northrup-Grumman one is the State of Va.'s backup location. We're getting to be HIGH-TECH rednecks these days.

LOL! Nice!

Yes, there are some opportunities to work in data centers for sure. And yes, with the exception of managing hardware (which I very rarely do) I can do my job from anywhere in the world as long as I have a decent internet connection. The hold back is, most companies or Gov agencies I have worked for always wanted all contract staff onsite for accountability reasons.

I have a friend of mine that has my dream job. He works remotely from home 90+ percent of the time. He will do all the engineering and design work from his house and then flies around the country to do hardware implementations. Once the hardware is up, he flies back home and works on everything remotely.

He lives in Pensacola Fl and earning around $300,000 a year. He has the same cost of living to income ration as a person earning $1,000,000 a year in Woodbridge VA.

[ShotgunBlast]

This helped me when I was stopped by VASP a few months ago. The DL + CHP combo makes things go smooth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT-nePQuT-s

[MarcSpaz]

For sure. I just don't want to get killed because he spots it and feels like he needs to defend himself. I figure, even if I don't have to. Its in everyone's best interest in the long run. Even if he is less comfortable, at least he knows.

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[Quigley]

Unfortunately I've had many runnins with Va cops since I've been carrying. Been pulled over about 6 times all minor. Been involved in 3 car accidents none my fault. And been in witness in a DUI accident. Every time the cops have been very professional and none problematic. I did go to the police station to report a gun found that I had reported lost and the cop played a game of about 50 questions with me even asked me how I purchase a gun considering I was underage. FYI I was 21 but he clearly didn't understand how to read a drivers license.


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[dusterdude]

99% of my interactions with troopers have gone well,they are a very professional organization.imo,most local cops could learn something from them


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[SHMIV]

To date, I have had no LEO experiences while carrying; which suits me fine.

Glad it worked out for you, Marc.

As a side note, this sort of thing is why I use my signal, even when no one is around to see it. Keeps me in the habit.

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[MarcSpaz]

Thanks Sir... I have to say, that is exactly what got me.

It was 2:00 AM, no lights anywhere to be seen, no other traffic. Moved from the left lane to the right without signalling and I just happened to do it right in front of a Trooper. Throw into the mix that I was in my Mustang instead of my and I was getting on the gas a little at the same time to enjoy the exhaust sound, drawing attention to myself still further, I was just messing up.

I didn't deserve a break, but I'm glad I was afforded one. Glad I wasn't speeding too or I may not have been given that break.

[SHMIV]

Lol, I can't blame you on the exhaust thing I do similar things when down shifting the rig, for the the same reason. Love that exhaust sound.

The Trooper was probably, mainly, just making sure that you weren't some punk kid, up to no good.

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[Covert53]

I got pulled over in Ashland by Ashland PD while carrying and it went well. The key in my opinion to making a car stop go well is to always defer to the officer's safety and be upfront. As soon as he/she senses you are cooperative and considered for his/her safety also the stress comes way down. Car stops are inherently a nervous and potentially dangerous situation for any LE officer and even more so if at night or if a rookie pulls you over. I keep my CHP right behind my DL in my wallet and if/when I get pulled over I give both documents at the same time, advise the officer I am or am not carrying, keep my hands on the wheel or visible at all times, do not make any quick or sudden moves, and never use the word "gun". I will say "I am carrying" and provide the location of my Glock (I carry either in a fanny pack or a right-side OWB holster). If I am using my fanny pack that day I will give him the fanny pack at the time I give my DL and CHP. All the while I am announcing my movements to the officer. Again, this is all about making the officer feel that you are cooperative and not a threat. Not everyone may feel they need to let the officer get control of your firearm if it is located in a bag or pack. That's just my approach and the one only car stop I had while carrying was that way and it went very well. For what its worth...

[ProShooter]

Glad it went well, but I would suggest a few changes....

My P226 was on the seat next to me. I dropped it on the floor so it was not just out there.

Simple rule here - do not touch the gun, at all. If anyone sees you moving the gun upon the officer's approach, you are likely to get shot.

The Trooper came over to the car. I handed him my DL and CHP and left my hands on the wheel.

Sounds as if you got your DL and CHP out before the Trooper arrived at the car. Its not suggested to get any paperwork out ahead of time. Just pull over and wait with your hands on the wheel.

[MarcSpaz]

Glad it went well, but I would suggest a few changes....

My P226 was on the seat next to me. I dropped it on the floor so it was not just out there.

Simple rule here - do not touch the gun, at all. If anyone sees you moving the gun upon the officer's approach, you are likely to get shot.

Don't know if this make a difference or not, but the transition to the floor took place while we were still driving right after he hit the lights; not when I was stopped. I guess the same rule of thumb would apply.

I usually leave it on my hip, but I was OC'ing with my light attached and my tac holster is huge. I pulled the whole holster off my hip because it rubs and scratches the Mustangs center console. I was thinking there was no way this guy was gonna miss it. I think it was reactionary to try to hide it. Maybe subconsciously I felt guilty due to all the negative social propaganda from the left.

The Trooper came over to the car. I handed him my DL and CHP and left my hands on the wheel.

Sounds as if you got your DL and CHP out before the Trooper arrived at the car. Its not suggested to get any paperwork out ahead of time. Just pull over and wait with your hands on the wheel.

That's a god recommendation for sure. Truth is, I have no idea where the insurance card and registration card is, so I am glad he didn't ask for that. LOL It was coincidence that my DL, CHP and ATM card were in my shirt breast pocket. I was not going to go rummaging for the other papers unless asked.