Got Pulled Over Last Night

[ZenArchery]

I don't speed (generally). So when the lights flashed on behind me I was curious. Officer was polite. Checked tags, license, insurance. I asked if I had done something wrong. "No," he said " just a routine check." They've been having some issues in the area from what he stated. He asked what I was doing up at 4am. I told him hog hunting.

He did his officer thing. Ran all my info. and let me go.

Now is my question. I ALWAYS put my gear away in their cases. Last night, for the first time ever, I put my Blackout in the backseat. I pull the mag, BCG, and charge handle out of habit. Officer never looked into my car. Plus, I told him I was hunting. I assume he knew I had a rifle or bow or something.

At one point I was going to tell him I had my rifle in the back seat under all my gear. But he let me go.

What would you have done? I honestly don't know the laws in traveling with a rifle? Trust me after this experience I will NEVER be in that much of a hurry to not put my 300 away.

 

[Lancer]

I don't speed (generally). So when the lights flashed on behind me I was curious. Officer was polite. Checked tags, license, insurance. I asked if I had done something wrong. "No," he said " just a routine check." They've been having some issues in the area from what he stated. He asked what I was doing up at 4am. I told him hog hunting.

He did his officer thing. Ran all my info. and let me go.

Now is my question. I ALWAYS put my gear away in their cases. Last night, for the first time ever, I put my Blackout in the backseat. I pull the mag, BCG, and charge handle out of habit. Officer never looked into my car. Plus, I told him I was hunting. I assume he knew I had a rifle or bow or something.

At one point I was going to tell him I had my rifle in the back seat under all my gear. But he let me go.

What would you have done? I honestly don't know the laws in traveling with a rifle? Trust me after this experience I will NEVER be in that much of a hurry to not put my 300 away.

I carry my AR touching my right leg and my Mossberg with pistol grip on just the other side of the console both loaded. I always have my hands on wheel when they approach, and politely inform them that the guns are there. I've been stopped by Hiway Patrol several times and most just nod and thank me for bringing it to their attention, one asked if i was going to shoot him i said no and he got back to business. Your results may vary.

 

[TEXASLAWMAN]

You can walk down the sidewalk with a loaded long gun just don't point it at people.

 

[Chopperdrvr]

Actually Zen, if he confiscated your 300 you could finally get a real hog rifle.

 

[dax2323]

i would have asked to see the dead hogs

 

[RattlesnakeDan]

You can carry loaded weapons in your vehicle in Texas but they are supposed to be out of sight so they do not look "threatening." I busted a kid stealing from the neighbors, when the cops finally arrived they asked what I did with him. I said I gave him a earful, I mentioned I had 4 loaded guns in my vehicle but had no intention of shooting a 17 yr old kid over a weed eater. Cop said "you're nicer than me." Still not sure if he was kidding. lol

 

[TEXASLAWMAN]

There is no law saying they must be out of sight. You can carry them in your pickup trucks rear window. People stopped because they were getting stolen.

 

[Wassman]

Mine night rig rides with me in the front seat, from when I leave the house to when I get back home. Completely legal.

Now my pistol though gets put out of sight when I hit public streets. I believe there is a law about that one. Kinda stupid long gun ok to have anywhere, but a handgun that's taboo. Correct me if I am wrong.

Of course I am referring to Texas law, don't know other states that good. But when traveling through states I will check the law out, sometimes easier said than done.

 

[RattlesnakeDan]

I think you're right about the handgun. Had concealed class not a couple years ago, I believe that is what they taught, out of sight. I trust TLM about not having to keep them under cover, maybe just long guns huh?

 

[EGarza04]

My long guns are almost always in sight in the truck, usually touching my right leg too. I have always been told it is not legal to have pistols in plain sight. Not sure if that is true, just what I've only been told.

 

[TEXASLAWMAN]

I was referring to long guns

 

[DaveABQ]

What was his 'probably cause' for pulling you over? Routine doesn't cut it....

 

[fanninland]

Interesting topic.

On my way to/from night hunting, I store an unloaded G20 in the center console and my unloaded rifle (bolt back, dust cover open) either in the rear floorboard with a jacket or something covering it, or under the back seat in a DuHa storage bin. Since it is a suppressed SBR, I figure that in the event of a "routine" stop, it might be best to minimize attention of a local LEO that may not be up to speed on NFA regulations, even though I carry copies of stamps both in the glovebox and in the rifle grip, and even though I think most local LEO around here would just think it is cool and want to check it out.

Also, I figure it's better to keep rifle out of sight of prying eyes in the event I have to make a stop along the way (liquor stores, casinos, topless bars - JUST KIDDING).

This is usually a 30 minute drive each way. Since several of ya'll are or have been in law enforcement - any suggestions for doing it differently?

 

[ZenArchery]

Well aren't I an over cautious?!

 

[Brian Shaffer]

Having drawn the attention of far too man LEOs because of demonstrating driving skills at speed, I haven't found my hunting gear to ever be a problem for them. Nothing wrong with keeping stuff out of sight, however.

I will tell you what, Ed. Get a CHL. As a non-LEO, that is about the best bit of 'proof of good guy status' you can have in Texas for when you are stopped by the cops.

 

[rgilbert]

What was his 'probably cause' for pulling you over? Routine doesn't cut it....

Strange vehicle at suspicious time and place. That is all the PC an officer needs. Got his information he needed in case some ones property came up missing and let him go. Good Police work. As far as the guns are concerned I've never had a LEO question them. I've had them actually ask to check out me suppressed rifle and let them do so. Even had one trooper who I let shoot it after we left the highway. He thought it was cool.

 

[ZenArchery]

Strange vehicle at suspicious time and place. That is all the PC an officer needs. Got his information he needed in case some ones property came up missing and let him go. Good Police work. As far as the guns are concerned I've never had a LEO question them. I've had them actually ask to check out me suppressed rifle and let them do so. Even had one trooper who I let shoot it after we left the highway. He thought it was cool.

It was an inconvenient. But I actually like getting to know the local officers. That's why I posed the question initially. Wanna give us NV Hog hunters a good name (even those who use 300 BLKs ).

 

[DaveABQ]

I can see certain times that suspicion is a reason for pulling someone over. I've had the discussion numerous times with police, as many of my friends are or were cops.

The inconvenience part you mentioned Ed is my issue with it. I don't buy the 'we've been having some issues in the area' bit. But unless I questioned it further, I wouldn't know for sure.

I do like police, it's a dangerous job and I'm glad they are there. I just don't want to get pulled over for a situation where there is no probable cause. And I can tell you one last year where it made me late for a doctor appointment because they were profiling me for my lifted dodge truck in Arizona with New Mexico plates.

 

[DaveABQ]

Here is a question for TLM and other law enforcement officers, do you tell the officer that you have a weapon in your vehicle when you get pulled over? I don't say anything, I'm not criminal. I keep my hands on the steering wheel to make it easier for he officer when he approaches, and am polite when speaking with them.

 

[BigRedDog]

I can see certain times that suspicion is a reason for pulling someone over. I've had the discussion numerous times with police, as many of my friends are or were cops. I do like police, it's a dangerous job and I'm glad they are there. I just don't want to get pulled over for a situation where there is no probable cause. And I can tell you one last year where it made me late for a doctor appointment because they were profiling me for my lifted dodge truck in Arizona with New Mexico plates.

Perhaps this was the hat you were wearing?

http://www.amazon.com/Walter-White-Breaking-Heisenberg-Medium/dp/B00FN7QA6S

Having a bag of blue raspberry rock candy on the seat helps