Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I was speeding and deserved a ticket. An unmarked State Trooper in a silver Chevy Malibu (I think) pulled me over. I had my whole family in the truck with me - trying to get to an appointment...you know how it is.

As soon as I got pulled over and stopped, I rolled my driver's window all the way down, put my left hand outside the vehicle and my right hand on the steering wheel.

He got up to the window and asked for my license and registration and told me why he pulled me over. No funny games, just down to business. He asked why I was in such a hurry and I told him we had an appointment. I reached past my concealed S&W .40 cal holstered on my right hip and retrieved my wallet. My beautiful wife handed me registration from the glove box. Trooper went to his car for about 3 minutes and returned with a ticket.

When he got to the window this time, he asked if I was carrying a concealed firearm. I told him Yes. He asked where, I told him it was on my right hip. He told me to keep my hands up on the steering wheel and I told him "Of course".

He read me all the mumbo-jumbo about pleading and going to court, then asked me to sign the ticket, gave me a copy, and we were on our way.

A truly "pleasant" one would have been he let you go with a warning...

Not much of that happening anymore.

They posted that since 2006 LAND-AIR-BLAH resultedin 17+ million tickets, arrest.

Multiple that by $100-$300 in fines...

Safety? M'eh. I don't think so. Tax Revenue Generation by fines, and fees? YUP!

(shrugs) Just my opinion, but considering accidents are down, speed limits have been increased, and people are wearing their seat belts, it's about financial gains, not citizen safety.

If it were? They'd ticket people weaving while talking on cellphones, and texting. A guy going 80MPH? Hands at "10 and 2", looking 3 miles up the road, and 2 miles behind him. Probably keeps his car in TOP condition. And may possibly been to a few "high speed schools" like the BMW one, or NASCAR one. Or if even luckier? ITI "High Speed Evasion School".

allingeneral wrote:He told me to keep my hands up on the steering wheel and I told him "Of course".

"No officer, I thought I would draw on you and see how that turns out."

Why do some police resort to such idiotic commentary? Do they think if they don't say it then we will jump right out of the car and start doing the Macarena?

Or is it some kind of procedural thing so that in the event something does happen they can say "I told that guy to keep his hands on the wheel but he reached for 'something'" and claim they blew your head off for the old officer safety canard?

Reverenddel wrote:A truly "pleasant" one would have been he let you go with a warning...

The most pleasant encounter is the one which does not happen.

Safety? M'eh. I don't think so. Tax Revenue Generation by fines, and fees? YUP!

^^^ This.

Still, when I handed Leo's my CHL with my DL on every stop I carried, I told him I wanted to let him know I was carrying, here is my permit, how would you like to proceed. Got out of the ticket every time I did that. Both hands on steering wheel, keys on dash.

I know a lot of you do not like IDing to LEO, but man it has saved me a BOATLOAD of money!

Of course, obeying traffic laws can provide a similar effect...

Glad it went well Rick.

I might have to try the "Hand him the CHP" next time. I thought maybe my license plates and the VGOF stickers all over the back of my truck might tip him off, but I guess not.

allingeneral wrote:I might have to try the "Hand him the CHP" next time. I thought maybe my license plates and the VGOF stickers all over the back of my truck might tip him off, but I guess not.

or maybe I'll slow down a little bit