But earlier you saide CCW can escalate the problem. You also talked about not being required to show it but obligated to make things go smoother. To mean that sounds almost like a threat. Do what I say or suffer? I may not be understanding what your saying but to me that sounds almost like abuse of power. I agree, I think there’s a misunderstanding about what I‘m saying. Let me try to boil it down and see if we can put it to rest:
I am a cop who believes every adult, with the exception of criminals and people who are a danger to themselves or others, should be able to exercise his or her Second Amendment right to bear arms if he or she desires to do so. While the Second Amendment should be all that is necessary to do so, reality is such that we must live within the current local, state, and federal laws of our time. If one is required to obtain a CCW in order to exercise his or her Second Amendment right, then that’s what must be done until relevant law is changed. If no CCW is required by local, state, or federal law in your area and you may open carry and/or carry concealed, then you’re not in California and I wish you well.
If you are in California, however, and we meet during a traffic stop or other type of contact AND you, of your own accord, tell me you have a CCW and are armed, I will give you some simple directions so I can minimize the chance of any misunderstanding on my part as you retrieve said CCW. Barring any criminal activity related to said firearm, we’ll likely conclude whatever business we have and go our separate ways, no harm, no foul.
On the other hand, should we meet as mentioned AND you choose not to inform me you have a CCW and are armed, AND I have a suspicion you might be armed, AND I believe you might pose a danger to me or someone else, I will likely ask you if you are armed. You still have the choice as to whether you will inform me of your CCW and firearm at this time, and if you decide to tell me you do, then we’ll likely revert to what I outlined above. If, though, you still choose not to tell me, then I, given the circumstances, will likely feel a heightened sense of concern about the situation and take lawful steps (Terry search, holding you at gunpoint until I have backup with me before continuing my investigation, etc.) in order to safely control the situation. I will be doing so NOT because I don't believe in the Second Amendment, but because it is my duty to enforce California laws, including the stringent weapons-related laws.
With each right comes a duty to act responsibly while exercising that right. I hope that you and others choose to be responsible gun owners who understand that volunteering information about being armed when contacted by law enforcement gives officers more information with which to guide their decisions and actions.
Like the hundreds of thousands of peace officers working across the country today, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution. I take this oath seriously, and I hope that your understanding and cooperation will make my job of trying to protect the public that much easier, and that much safer.
I’ll end this by wishing you the same thing I tell both my brothers and sisters in law enforcement and the motorists I stop:
Be safe.
