Stopped by Police With EDC?

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sirupatespecial said:
Why would law enforcement ask if you had a weapon?

I know. There are a lot of law enforcement folks here. But, you get pulled over, for speeding say. Why would you get asked? And i'll tell you this, if you didn't know. They are not looking for a pocket knife. So, yea. Give up your rights. Open your mouth. Hell, just let them search your car. Why not? You don't have anything to hide. Right? Hell, let them look up your ass like they did to that guy in Arizona a couple of weeks ago. It's ok. It's for the children. Or something. I could go on and get into a good rant. But, I'm not. Yet. Here's an idea. Why don't we follow the damn Constitution of the United States?
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All due respect, but with that attitude you're more likely to be "harassed" than I will.

Yes, there are bad seeds out there but for the most part the LEO's I know are not out to bully law-abiding citizens. But they will not put up with crap either. God knows they see enough of it.
 
"I happen to be a criminal defense attorney who sees this a lot. Officers often don't even know their own laws, literally. They will make a criminal citation where none is warranted, believing they know the law."

And go ahead and tell'em Sir.

If you get a citation for a supposed "law" that you didn't break and you pay the fine or say you don't and you do the time. Then it's not the cops responsibility. YOU are supposed to know the law and if you get screwed because you didn't then it's on you. Let's say, you get a citation for carrying a concealed weapon. A knife in this case. Plead guilty, pay the fine. But it's not illegal. Tough doo-doo.
 
First of all.... why would you even be stopped in the first place? It seems like a lot of you so called "Law Abiding Citizens" are awfully worried about getting stopped by the police. Unless you are a shady character I would say your average "law abiding citizen" will usually only be detained by the police under traffic violation circumstances. It would be unusual for them to ask you that question during a normal traffic stop.

Now if you're being detained for any other reason and questioned... it is in your best interest to be honest and state that you do in fact have a "pocket knife" on you and tell him/her which pocket it is in. It'll be up to the LEO to either ask you to take it out for them, or they will do a pat down on you and take it out.... or they might not even ask for it.
 
" It would be unusual for them to ask you that question during a normal traffic stop"

No, it wouldn't.

"Now if you're being detained for any other reason and questioned... it is in your best interest to be honest..."

Um. No again. Just ask your attorney.

"It seems like a lot of you so called "Law Abiding Citizens" are awfully worried about getting stopped by the police."

Maybe it's those roadblocks that they have all over the country. My supposedly "free country". For illegals, Dwi or just whatever "they" say it's for.

So, you actually think, that if you have a pocket knife, that it's OK to get "patted down"?

Well, I don't

How bout if I have my Kukuri in the trunk? They'd have a damn stroke over that.
 
A simple traffic stop, maybe you are speeding, not wearing your seat belt, texting, an accidental swerve, run a yellow light, etc. anything can happen to a law abiding citizen. The last time I was stopped (7 years ago or so) was for going 55 in a 45 zone. It was very late at night (2am), I was on call at work and I was on my way home after a network outage that took several hours to restore. The deputy that stopped me asked me the usual questions:

Do you know why I stopped you? Yes Sir, I was driving a bit faster than I should have been.
Where are you going? On my way home Sir. I was at work, I'm on call this week, I work at XYZ and there was a netowrk outage, blah, blah.
Do you have any weapons in the car, guns, knives, bombs, drugs? Yes Sir, I have a loaded Ruger automatic pistol, it's ln the glove box and a folding knife in my right front pocket. No drugs, no bombs.
License, Rgistration, Proof of Insurance. Yes Sir, right here.

He just asked that I not make any sudden movements. He thanked me for turning the dome light on and keeping my hands on the wheel at all times.

He was doing his job, but was securing the scene as best he could. He wanted to go home after his shift as bad as I did. Full cooperation (Yes Sir, No Sir) on my end showed respect for his situation and compliance. He let me go immediately after, he just asked me to slow down, as to not get into an accident.

addylo said:
Do NOT parse words with an LEO. Full disclosure would be your best course of action IMO. He is not interested in discussing the semantics of "weapon vs. tool" with you. He has a job to do and anything you can do to help him do it will only go in your favor and get you on your way much quicker.

Of course, I am not a lawyer and don't pretend to give legal advice in any way.

EDIT: And don't just whip the knife out and try to show it to him. The best way to handle it (again, in my non-lawyer opinion) would be to keep your hands visible and say, "Yes Sir, I have a knife in my right front pocket. How would you like me to proceed?"
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This is the absolute truth.
 
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RevDevil said:
A simple traffic stop, maybe you are speeding, not wearing your seat belt, texting, an accidental swerve, run a yellow light, etc. anything can happen to a law abiding citizen. The last time I was stopped (7 years ago or so) was for going 55 in a 45 zone. It was very late at night (2am), I was on call at work and I was on my way home after a network outage that took several hours to restore. The deputy that stopped me asked me the usual questions:

Do you know why I stopped you? Yes Sir, I was driving a bit faster than I should have been.
Where are you going? On my way home Sir. I was at work, I'm on call this week, I work at XYZ and there was a netowrk outage, blah, blah.
Do you have any weapons in the car, guns, knives, bombs, drugs? Yes Sir, I have a loaded Ruger automatic pistol, it's ln the glove box and a folding knife in my right front pocket. No drugs, no bombs.
License, Rgistration, Proof of Insurance. Yes Sir, right here.

He just asked that I not make any sudden movements. He thanked me for turning the dome light on and keeping my hands on the wheel at all times.

He was doing his job, but was securing the scene as best he could. He wanted to go home after his shift as bad as I did. Full cooperation (Yes Sir, No Sir) on my end showed respect for his situation and compliance. He let me go immediately after, he just asked me to slow down, as to not get into an accident.



This is the absolute truth.
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Great story. I've had cops write me tickets when they knew I didn't do what they wrote me the ticket for. "let the judge decide"

I also had a County cop come to my house and arrest me because his sister didn't like the way I talked to her. On the phone. Stripped searched at country and let out on bond the next day. "let the judge sort it out" And he did. After 6 mo's and about 2000 bucks. Charges dismissed the cop didn't even bother to show up. Wonder why?

But, it's all good. Just gotta get my mind straight..../
 
Several years ago I got "pulled over" late at night for riding my bike on the sidewalk. He asked if I had any weapons, I told him I had a couple pocket knives. He asked if he could remove them while I placed my hands on my chest, and I complied. One was a Benchmade balisong, and he had to look up in his big book of laws to see if it was legal or not. I helped him out by telling him the exact number to look up, as I had it memorized. He saw that it wasn't illegal, I didn't have any warrants, and let me go, telling me to use the bike lane.

Now, cops don't have to look it up, since nothing is illegal to carry in AZ (except nunchaku:rolleyes:). Don't even need a permit to conceal a gun anymore.

Best policy is always to be up-front, honest, and respectful. But on the same token, don't forget your 4th Amendment rights. They can't frisk you, search your backpack/purse/murse, car, or dwelling without a search warrant or probable cause. And always be careful of trickily worded questions like "do you mind if I search your car?" If you say "no", that means you don't mind. If you say "yes", that could be construed as giving them permission. Say something like "I do not give you permission to search my car" to avoid any ambiguity or confusion.
 
Before they ask you to, Just put your arms up in the air and say there is a knife in my pocket, take it. Works for me and I get my knives back. But they are customs which look less dirtbag to them, i'd assume. I only carry fancy damascus and ivory customs.
 
I was stopped by the cops once when I had 3 knives in me and I was just clear that I had 3 pocket knives. We were actually joking around about them. It is all about the tone you set and the mood the cops are in. Polite meeting + happy cops = pleasant experience.

That said, make sure you know you laws like the back of your hand. Some cops don't mess around.
 
I'm glad NZ cops aren't like many USA cops; badged bullies & killers, with arrest quotas to facilitate mass imprisonment policies, (to please rightwing hatemongers & their paranoid followers), even if it means targetting otherwise peaceful citizens.

I once carried a diving knife attached to my belt with the blade inside my jeans front pocket, to protect my Jack Russell from further pitbull attacks. I showed a woman the handle, saying "This is my pitbull defense item" & she complained to the cops.
When I explained myself the judge just told me not to show it to people. He didn't say don't carry one. I was only fined $120 court costs.
I now edc a 6" slaughterer's skinner, concealed horizontally at the back of my belt. The cops know & don't care.
"It's for rabbitting, constable."
 
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RevDevil said:
A simple traffic stop, maybe you are speeding, not wearing your seat belt, texting, an accidental swerve, run a yellow light, etc. anything can happen to a law abiding citizen. The last time I was stopped (7 years ago or so) was for going 55 in a 45 zone. It was very late at night (2am), I was on call at work and I was on my way home after a network outage that took several hours to restore. The deputy that stopped me asked me the usual questions:

Do you know why I stopped you? Yes Sir, I was driving a bit faster than I should have been.
Where are you going? On my way home Sir. I was at work, I'm on call this week, I work at XYZ and there was a netowrk outage, blah, blah.
Do you have any weapons in the car, guns, knives, bombs, drugs? Yes Sir, I have a loaded Ruger automatic pistol, it's ln the glove box and a folding knife in my right front pocket. No drugs, no bombs.
License, Rgistration, Proof of Insurance. Yes Sir, right here.

He just asked that I not make any sudden movements. He thanked me for turning the dome light on and keeping my hands on the wheel at all times.

He was doing his job, but was securing the scene as best he could. He wanted to go home after his shift as bad as I did. Full cooperation (Yes Sir, No Sir) on my end showed respect for his situation and compliance. He let me go immediately after, he just asked me to slow down, as to not get into an accident.



This is the absolute truth.
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I totally agree with this approach. Respect and cooperation with law enforcement will be to your benefit. :thumbup:
 
I'll say no, unless carrying a firearm. Neither the two inch blade of the baby butterbean in my pocket nor the SAK on my belt is a weapon.
 
RevDevil said:
Do you know why I stopped you? Yes Sir, I was driving a bit faster than I should have been.
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My answer would be "NO". I'll not incriminate myself.

Where are you going? On my way home Sir. I was at work, I'm on call this week, I work at XYZ and there was a netowrk outage, blah, blah.
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My response would be, "why did you stop me?" His question is not germane to pulling me over. The more you talk, the worse you may be.

Do you have any weapons in the car, guns, knives, bombs, drugs? Yes Sir, I have a loaded Ruger automatic pistol, it's ln the glove box and a folding knife in my right front pocket. No drugs, no bombs.
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My answer would be "yes", IF I'm carrying a firearm (and here he'd already know I have a CHP when he ran my plates) and where it is. I'd answer "no" if I'm not carrying a firearm. Any response to his question about weapons, guns, drugs, anything "illegal", etc. (if he asks that question) will usually be followed by him asking, "can I take a look" or "can I search your car"? My answer would be, " I do not consent to searches". If he had probable cause to search you or your car, he would not ask. He asks in the hope you'll ignorantly consent.

License, Rgistration, Proof of Insurance. Yes Sir, right here.

He just asked that I not make any sudden movements. He thanked me for turning the dome light on and keeping my hands on the wheel at all times.

He was doing his job, but was securing the scene as best he could. He wanted to go home after his shift as bad as I did. Full cooperation (Yes Sir, No Sir) on my end showed respect for his situation and compliance. He let me go immediately after, he just asked me to slow down, as to not get into an accident.
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In the scenario above, which is common, he was doing more than his job. He was also on a fishing expedition. Know your rights. Exercise them. One of the most important is your right to remain silent. Do not answer questions you are not required to and that are not germane to the stop. Just shut up, take the warning or citation, and be on your way.
 
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A response I would give is "Officer I do have a pocket knife" Saying pocket knife rather then just knife lets them probably relax a little. Considering the majority of men at least I would hope so carry knives I do not think it would be a big deal unless you were stopped for something bad.
 
gadunz said:
I'm glad NZ cops aren't like many USA cops; badged bullies & killers, with arrest quotas to facilitate mass imprisonment policies, (to please rightwing hatemongers & their paranoid followers), even if it means targetting otherwise peaceful citizens.
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Amazing how much hate and ignorance can be displayed in a single post. :thumbdn:
 
Unk said:
Ah, lying to the real Police could bite you. You don't have to volunteer information however I'd suggest telling an officer who asks if you have any weapons that a reply of "No, but I do have a POCKET knife" is the correct response
Best.
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Ditto!
 
The last time I was pulled over----

A few years ago, I was pulled over at 1100PM in my county for something hanging from my rear view mirror. I was not carrying a firearm and even if I was I would not have informed as it is not required to do so in this state. Deputy came to the passenger side of the truck where my son was sitting (and this in an empty parking lot of a closed business not on the shoulder of a road). Son rolled window down, and Deputy asked me where I was coming from. I answer, "I'm going home". Deputy again asked where I was coming from. I respond with, "can you tell me why you pulled me over?" Deputy stated because of stuff hanging from my rear view mirror. I told the Deputy that it had been there 9 years and that I had never before been pulled over because of it and didn't know it was illegal. Deputy took my license and registration. While Deputy was gone, I removed stuff hanging from mirror. Deputy returned and asked if I had a Concealed Handgun Permit which I confirmed was true. Deputy already knew I had a CHP when the Deputy ran my tags. Deputy asked where the firearm was to which responded that I had no firearms on me or in the truck. Deputy asked to search with words to the effect of "then you don't mind if I search your vehicle". I respond with, "I do not consent to searches". I was then sent on my way. No ticket. No warning. Neither me or the Deputy were rude. Just professional and brief. Glad I did not start the encounter by informing I had a CHP or a knife or anything else as it became quite obvious the Deputy was on a fishing expedition. I simply exercise my rights. I do not inform. I do not consent to searches. I say as little as possible. I still find it extremely hard to believe the Deputy, from behind me at 1100PM on an unlit road, saw anything hanging from my pickup's rear view mirror when I was pulled over.
 
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gadunz said:
I'm glad NZ cops aren't like many USA cops; badged bullies & killers, with arrest quotas to facilitate mass imprisonment policies, (to please rightwing hatemongers & their paranoid followers), even if it means targetting otherwise peaceful citizens.
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You've been fed a load of BS about this country. But that's OK. So have most of our citizens. The media loves to portray LEOs this way.
 
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