Attitude
for CCW people

The following is a compilation of thoughts/ideas that can, and some say WILL save the CCW holder a lot of grief with Law Enforcement. This information is from several sources and any of these thoughts that are the "property" of someone else, is purely accidental.

• Try being at home after 10 pm. Police tend to think of those that are very active after that time to be "less respectable" and more prone to unsafe practices. Out of all the unsafe things you have done, how many of them have been late at night and with an alcohol content? Most "normal" people sleep during the night and are active during day time hours. A "nocturnal" life-style can easily end up spending unwanted time in contact with Law Enforcement (LE).
• Try for a "normal" appearance. LE focuses on the "unusual" and they pay special attention to those that are unusual, it's their job. When you are successful in . not . being unusual, it tends to put LE at ease, or at least have them less apprehensive. Those who insist on tattoos, dyeing their hair blue, purple, or orange, or looking like you are trying to single handedly support Ace Hardware with all the "iron" in/on your face, will discover they have a great deal of unwanted attention from Law Enforcement.
• A concealed weapon needs to be CONCEALED. Wear/use the proper equipment and clothing to help you accomplish that. Secondly, don't talk about it! The LE officer is the only one that needs to know about it, and then only when the law dictates. No one else needs know.
• Avoid places that may/do have emotionally charged individuals, or those that have been consuming quantities of alcohol. A few examples are: Sporting events, political gatherings, protests, etc. If you come into contact with people that are emotionally charged, do your best to politely withdraw.
• A "friend" that is loud, rowdy or drunk is no friend of an actively carrying CCW person. Loud, rowdy or drunk, is a call for LE involvement. Do YOU want to be involved with that?
• Do your best to be courteous, cautious, and conservative driver. Speeding, cutting people off, or flashing the single-digit "salute" are good ways to get to talk extensively with LE!
• If you are pulled over for a traffic offense, don't volunteer any information about your CCW status, unless the law in the state you are in requires it! If the subject comes up, NEVER say "gun"! Say something like "I have a concealed carry permit, shall I retrieve it for you to look at?"

  Before the officer gets to your window, make sure you have:
  ~ Turned off your engine
  ~ Have your window open (if it's a marked car with uniformed officer)
  ~ Have your wallet IN YOUR HAND
  ~ Have your hands on the steering wheel
  ~ Remain calm!
  ~ BE POLITE!
  ~ Answer all questions asked but do not "volunteer" information
  ~ TELL THE TRUTH!
  ~ If you are asking more questions than the officer, SHUT UP!

• If you are berated/threatened by LE, do not reply in kind! Instead, remain calm and polite. If you receive untrue accusations, tell the officer you will be happy to answer all of his/her questions as soon as your lawyer arrives. Repeat as necessary.

  While there are obnoxious and overbearing officers, they are in a decided minority. In fact, the average officer hates them as much as you do, and the other officers are working to get rid of them. Above all, REMAIN CALM and BE POLITE!