Police pull you over and ask if you have guns in the car, what can you answer?

[garandman]

For that question, I would just smile and say “I’m guessing you’re about to tell me…”

Read a book years ago on avoiding tickets, written by a former NY Highwayman.

He suggested saying, “I must have done something to get your attention!” Which is unusual, funny, and non-incriminating.

Last time stopped, when asked the question, I replied “For driving like a bonehead?”

The cop burst out laughing. There is nothing explicitly illegal about “driving like a bonehead.”

 

[AJK129]

Read a book years ago on avoiding tickets, written by a former NY Highwayman.

He suggested saying, “I must have done something to get your attention!” Which is unusual, funny, and non-incriminating.

Last time stopped, when asked the question, I replied “For driving like a bonehead?”

The cop burst out laughing. There is nothing explicitly illegal about “driving like a bonehead.”

I found trying to flirt with the cops doesnt work as well as the movies make it seem.

 

[Rat187]

One is for shooting, one is for fun.

and hope he doesn't go full retard

 

[Coda]

According to my basic safety class instructor, if a cop pulls you over, and you are still inside your car, then you can legally tell them "No", even if you have guns in the car or on your body.

If the cop then tells you to step outside, you will have to tell them you have a gun, keep your hands away from it and hope the officer is having a good day overall.

Thoughts?

Just so you know.......... As soon as the LEO pulls you over and runs your plate he knows you have an LTC.

That does not mean for sure that you have a gun on you, but he does know you have a gun/guns somewhere.

 

[GL2020]

Don't lie to the cops - just don't answer the question directly or at all

Exactly. If you answer, just answer the question. But don't volunteer info and complicate matters.

Multiple instructors have told me exactly what op said. If asked to step out, inform and say "OK, we can handle this in whatever way makes you most comfortable"

 

[M1911]

Exactly. If you answer, just answer the question. But don't volunteer info and complicate matters.

Multiple instructors have told me exactly what op said. If asked to step out, inform and say "OK, we can handle this in whatever way makes you most comfortable"

I was told if ordered to step out of the vehicle to say: “Yes, sir. I have a license to carry and I am carrying now. How would you like to proceed?”

You could instead yell “I have a gun!” but that might not go as well.

 

[AJK129]

I was told if ordered to step out of the vehicle to say: “Yes, sir. I have a license to carry and I am carrying now. How would you like to proceed?”

You could instead yell “I have a gun!” but that might not go as well.

View: https://youtu.be/hDL47FpuZ8U?si=JqH2Z6GxtDCRBTaf

 

[EMTDAD]

 

[pizzerman]

So the old, "Do you have firearms in the car?", "Sir, I can't answer that question"?

good call, why waste your money getting legal advice from an attorney when you can get it from basic firearms instructor and verified by web forum? Hey, its only a firearms charge at stake, right?

 

[Rockrivr1]

I never get this question. Why lie? If you have a LTC and are legal to carry, there is no downside to answering truthfully. Lying to cops tends to be the start of a very bad day. I know a lot of people on NES hate/distrust LEs but for the most part the ones I've know just want to get home every day at the end of their shift and are decent people. Some are dicks with a chip on the shoulder, but they are just traffic enforcement.

 

[Chappy7]

At this time I will invoke my 5th amendment right to remain silent. I will answer any questions in the presence of my attorney. I do not consent to any search of my property.

Am I being accused of a crime and being detained or am I free to go.

Then zip the lip closed.

 

[jakeroub]

Name, rank, and serial number.

 

[pastera]

I never get this question. Why lie? If you have a LTC and are legal to carry, there is no downside to answering truthfully. Lying to cops tends to be the start of a very bad day. I know a lot of people on NES hate/distrust LEs but for the most part the ones I've know just want to get home every day at the end of their shift and are decent people. Some are dicks with a chip on the shoulder, but they are just traffic enforcement.

In Mass there is little need for an officer to even ask the question especially if you are driving a car registered to yourself.
They already know if you have an LTC or not. They know of any guns you'vepurchasedin Mass. If you have an LTC the statistical chance of you doing something dumb with a firearm during the interaction is approaching zero. If you don't have an LTC there is a 100% chance you are going to lie if armed.
So the only reason the officer is asking questions other than to request your license and registration is to try to create probable cause for further actions.
The only reasonable questions would be directly related to the stop. Something like "I clocked you at 55 in a 40 zone, do you have a legitimate reason for excessive speed?" That question is reasonable amd related to the stop. "Do you have a firearm?" Is going fishing and trying to get the driver to talk themselves into further trouble.

 

[CrackPot]

According to my basic safety class instructor, if a cop pulls you over, and you are still inside your car, then you can legally tell them "No", even if you have guns in the car or on your body.

If the cop then tells you to step outside, you will have to tell them you have a gun, keep your hands away from it and hope the officer is having a good day overall.

Thoughts?

"I have nothing illegal in the car."

 

[VigilantesLiberi]

"I have nothing illegal in the car."

Deff not something you should ever say to a cop. But thanks anyway.

 

[In God We Trust]

“Do you have any firearms in the car?”

“Sure do. Just one on my right hip. You probably already saw on your MDT that I have a license to carry. “

That should diffuse the situation. If it goes beyond that like if he wants to disarm you, I’d say: “I’m not going to resist, but I don’t consent to being searched or disarmed.”

That way if anything stupid happens or maybe you have shady magazines or whatever, it’s on record that the search was conducted without your consent.

Edit: I’ve only asked about weapons if I was going to arrest the dude. Any time someone said “just so you know, I’m carrying a pistol.” Or showed me an LTC, I would just say “God bless America. I’ll keep mine holstered if you do the same.”

 

[vickers]

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/tHYCtK0Ns84?si=dRuX2t6DO7YI4BQV

I have driven into Canada at least every other year since I was a kid, we have relatives outside of Toronto. Mostly through the Ontario crossings and a few times on the Montreal/Quebec side. 90% of the time the agents are professional and, while maybe not friendly, are at least courteous. However I did once get a combative America/n hating a-hole border agent who seemed to be sitting on a 12" dildo. Among the litany of things he asked was wether there were any firearms in the vehicle, I just laughed and said, no. We had a full SUV of 8 people but it was me, the wife, my young children, my SIL and my elderly parents. He apparently thought we looked like a cartel gang, lol. I was sure we were going to get pulled over for inspection that day but seems like he was just happy to dick us around for a while and let us go on our way. Only time that has happened in 30 years of visits to Canada.

 

[OnTheRoad]

MA. So according to that link, it's a "Yes". If a cop asks you, whether you're inside or outside of your car in MA, then you have to tell them the truth. Am I reading this correctly?

Don't know. Like I said, it's an older article and likely the map has changed. The point was essentially some states you are required by law to inform the police of a gun if you are pulled over. Others you have no obligation to do so.

In a state where you have no duty to inform and you are asked, I reckon the ball's in your court on what direction you want to take the conversation.

 

[Rockrivr1]

I have driven into Canada at least every other year since I was a kid, we have relatives outside of Toronto. Mostly through the Ontario crossings and a few times on the Montreal/Quebec side. 90% of the time the agents are professional and, while maybe not friendly, are at least courteous. However I did once get a combative America/n hating a-hole border agent who seemed to be sitting on a 12" dildo. Among the litany of things he asked was wether there were any firearms in the vehicle, I just laughed and said, no. We had a full SUV of 8 people but it was me, the wife, my young children, my SIL and my elderly parents. He apparently thought we looked like a cartel gang, lol. I was sure we were going to get pulled over for inspection that day but seems like he was just happy to dick us around for a while and let us go on our way. Only time that has happened in 30 years of visits to Canada.

I made the mistake once of driving into Montreal and when asked why I was coming into Canada I said for work. You would have thought I'd screamed BOMB or something. I got the full "You're an Ahole" treatment. Was pulled over into the inspection zone, grilled for 30 minutes on what kind of "work" I was there for and why someone in Canada couldn't do the work themselves. They actually thought I was coming into Canada to steal a Canadians job. They take a VERY dim view on that. They finally let me go after I explained I was going to my own company that had a site in Montreal. They weren't happy though.

 

[Chappy7]

he asked was wether there were any firearms in the vehicle. - always asked CBSA, big issue if.....

always asked by CBSA, big issue if.....

 

[AJK129]

I made the mistake once of driving into Montreal and when asked why I was coming into Canada I said for work. You would have thought I'd screamed BOMB or something. I got the full "You're an Ahole" treatment. Was pulled over into the inspection zone, grilled for 30 minutes on what kind of "work" I was there for and why someone in Canada couldn't do the work themselves. They actually thought I was coming into Canada to steal a Canadians job. They take a VERY dim view on that. They finally let me go after I explained I was going to my own company that had a site in Montreal. They weren't happy though.

"work meeting" makes it much simpler.

 

[Chappy7]

View: https://youtu.be/zDhThSXVgpU?si=0IaeInlkSwVfsFuB

 

[Coda]

If you have an LTC the statistical chance of you doing something dumb with a firearm during the interaction is approaching zero. If you don't have an LTC there is a 100% chance you are going to lie if armed.

This for sure...........

Any LEO knows you are a squeaky clean law abiding citizen once he realizes you have an LTC.

I honestly think the LTC helps you in a routine traffic stop, whether you have a gun on you or not.

 

[Knob Creek]

Proper answer to that use to be "There is nothing illegal in this car".

 

[Grendizer138]

I've been driving since 1976. In that time, I've been stopped in the following states:

• IL three times
• NY once
• NJ once
• WV once
• MA five times
• KS once

The number of times I've been asked if there are firearms in the car: zero.

I have been asked at least twice that I can remember. The last time I did make the mistake of having my LTC in front of my DL in my wallet though; i.e basically asking for it.

I’ve also received two sobriety tests - I haven’t drank alcohol since highschool.

That’s great you’ve been so fortunate, but it’s not everyone’s experience with cop encounters.

 

[VigilantesLiberi]

I’ve only asked about weapons if I was going to arrest the dude. Any time someone said “just so you know, I’m carrying a pistol.” Or showed me an LTC, I would just say “God bless America. I’ll keep mine holstered if you do the same.”

Thanks, I appreciate the POV.

Proper answer to that use to be "There is nothing illegal in this car".

I'm gonna have to say that's not the best thing do. It makes you look guilty. That's a bad starting position. YMMV

 

[Mesatchornug]

"work meeting" makes it much simpler.

"vendor visit" worked pretty well for me.

 

[In God We Trust]

This for sure...........

Any LEO knows you are a squeaky clean law abiding citizen once he realizes you have an LTC.

I honestly think the LTC helps you in a routine traffic stop, whether you have a gun on you or not.

Most cops lean conservative, but this is not universally true. Knowing that you own firearms usually puts you in the right leaning category and may earn you a warning instead of the ticket a Kamala sticker would get you.

If he asks what you are carrying and it’s a .40, lie and say .45 or 9mm.

 

[VetteGirlMA]

Why not pull out your pistol and wave it around in the air pointing in no particular direction?

 

[Knob Creek]

I got T-Boned by some idiot and totaled my Yukon XL. Had my son-in-law come pick me up before they towed it. Moved four rifle cases, three boxes of ammo and two range bags to his car. Cops were pretty cool but all that stuff did not go unnoticed.