Reba,
Thanks for all the information. Next weekend, I'm off to see some folks in Virginia. There is a nice range not far from them. I'm going to make a point to stop in and test fire a few rounds. I'm hoping they have the Tomcat in stock and available to test. I'll let you know how that goes. I have a feeling that I will like it
I would like to buy a hand gun for my protection on my horse farm.
The problem if you had to pull off the road when the police caught you passing the red light or overspeed... I am sure that the police will look up the database to see if you have a gun. It does not matter if you leave your gun at home. It might get worst. Some police are not too bright and like to hurt people. (Actually, my retired boss was a cop for 30 years, and he enjoyed beating some people when he had a drinking problem. He finally stopped drinking before he retired.)
Another thing, some of you guys have seen on a cop show on TV. Can you imagine that the police treat people badly? They have no mortal. They think that they are just a bunch of frat group to help each other. Now, the issue about owning a gun. How will you protect yourself from that situation?
Hmmm...The first time I've ever been told I have no mortal (did you mean morals?). I was never in any frat groups...glad to see that I'm classified as being in one now.
To answer your questions, most cops will not know if you have a weapon or not. There isn't a super computer our cars are connected to that tells us you own a .38 and your blood type is AB. Officers watch very closely and will know you are reaching for something before you've even thought about reaching under the seat. Those types of movements will get you hurt.
Generally they will already know if your a valid driver (if your the registered owner of the vehicle). If that is the case, they will also know if you have any warrants on you. If so, are the warrants of a violent nature (attempted murder, assault, assaulting a police officer, carrying of an illegal firearm). If you have a warrant out for your arrest for carrying a gun, then the officer may assume that you may have one on your possession.
What you see on cops is far from the truth (as real as it looks). You take a swing at me, it is quickly obvious that you are intending to do me harm. That means I will take a swing at you, possibly with a baton. Perhaps a little pepper spray until you learn your manners and stop swinging at me.
In my entire life, I have never seen officers just pull somebody out of a car and beat them for no reason. Heck, even Rodney King wasn't yanked out of his car for no reason. He was fighting with officers. If he had just followed simple commands, the whole thing would not have escalated. The officers in that case took it too far, but Rodney King wasn't like 'Hi Guys...How are you tonight?' and then got the crap beat out of him.
I know in my city, it would be impossible to get away with anything even if someone were to try. I watched a woman get in an officers face, call him every name in the book (and his mother too). She would have made a sailor blush. She walks away and about 20 feet from the officers, she trips on a step and falls. Not a terrible fall...just your average trip. The officer she had just called every name in the book to cracks a smile. Not a boisterous laugh...not even a laugh. He just smiled. Wouldn't have even noticed if you weren't looking at him. That officer was written up.
Was it funny to watch? Yes. Was is unprofessional of him? Yes.... An officer can't smile at someone without being written up. People see things all the time. They wouldn't miss an officer pulling someone out of a car and beating him for no reason. When you see someone getting taken to the ground, its because they either struck (or tried to strike) an officer or they resisted while they were being arrested. Even when someone is arrested, they aren't beaten sensless. Usually its 'swarming' where the group gets ahold of the guy so they can get him cuffed.
A few things to note that will keep you from getting into trouble. Never reach under your seat or other area of your car. This will certainly get an officers attention. You are either hiding something illegal or reaching for a weapon. This could get you yanked out of your car.
When an officer pulls you over, turn on your blinker and pull of to the side. Roll your window completely down. Turn your ignition OFF. Put both of your hands on wheel where he can see them before he approaches you. When he comes up to your window, look him in the eye. If you are deaf, point to your ear and indicate that you are deaf. Don't go fumbling for a pad and paper to write him a note to tell him your deaf. Pointing at your ear and indicating your deaf will be sufficient. If later on you wish to write him something, indicate that you want to right. Usually holding your left hand flat (like it were a pad) and taking your right hand pretending you have a pen and writing on the pad, the officer should get what you mean.
Remember to keep those hands on the wheel. Don't get fidgety and move around alot. For someone who doesn't frequently get pulled over, it can be a nervous experience and its OK to be nervous. Just don't fidget and make the officer nervous. Its also OK to tell them that this is your first time getting stopped and your nervous (but it better be your first time...they can tell if you have past tickets and lying isn't a good way to get out of a ticket.
Always indicate what your intentions are. If he asks you for your license, indicate that its in your back pocket before you go reaching. When he asks for your registration, tell him its in your glove box before you lean over. Indicate your intentions before you reach. Its also OK to say 'Let me get that out of my glove box'. You don't have to be robotic or anything. Just as long as he knows you are about to reach into your box even though he just asked your for the registration. Also be concious that he/she is watching your every move. If you lean over to your glove box, try not to block their view. I've seen people completely twist so their back is facing door. They are trying to block the officer from seeing that marijuana pipe they threw in the glove box
Typically it won't be a problem if you are still in the seating position as if you were driving. Keep your ass where it is on the seat and lean over.
Also, never ever argue with the officer. An argument with an officer is something you will not win. If he says you ran a red light and you didn't, don't argue with him. Its OK to indicate you disagree, but don't argue. In most states, signing the ticket is not an admission of guilt. All the ticket means is that you had a little chit-chat with the officer on the side of the road. The place to argue your innocence is in court. If you are unsure about what your signing, ask the officer. 'Is signing this this ticket and admission of guilt?' Fighting tickets is for the courtroom and not on the shoulder of the road.
Anyhow, I think I've rambled on enough about it. I just don't think its a fair accusation that cops randomly pull people out of their cars and beat them down. You asked 'How do you handle this situation'...I've just explained it. When you follow the above rules, you give the officer no indication that you are going to be a problem. I can also assure you that the officer will be aware of what you are doing and will appreciate it. Before joing the police, I followed the above advice from a friend who was an officer. Because of my actions, I got out of more tickets than I received. It can't hurt your chances of getting out of a ticket by being nice. Even if the cop is a real prick, 'kill'em with kindness' works wonders'.
