Pulled over with handgun in glove box

[Lee Enfield]

Well, I got my annual traffic ticket today for doing 59 in a 40. It seemed like a routine stop, but it was the first time I've been stopped with a gun in the glove box, so I thought I'd post it.

I turned into a parking lot after seeing the blue lights and parked. I switched on the dome light, rolled down my window and placed my hands on the side mirror as the officer got out of the car. The female cop approached me, identified herself, and asked for license and registration. I handed her my license, informed her that I had a handgun in the glove box, and asked if she would prefer to retrieve it.

She said yes, rather quickly, and walked around to the passenger's side door. She opened the door, opened the glovebox, and retrieved my PT-140, which she stuck in her belt without checking the chamber. She then took my information, along with my pistol, back to her car where she filled out the ticket and (I assume) checked the serial numbers in my gun.

She came back and handed me my registration and license, and placed the magazine in the glove box. She took the pistol, at slide lock and put it in the passenger's door compartment, commenting that it was "safer that way." She also handed my one loose .40 round.

Overall, I'd say it was no different than a routine traffic stop. I was glad to find out that she didn't inadvertantly point my weapon at me, although there was no round in the chamber. I later concluded that she racked the side to clear the gun without first dropping the magazine, hence the one loose round.

[Red Hat]

Originally Posted by Lee Enfield

She took the pistol, at slide lock and put it in the passenger's door compartment, commenting that it was "safer that way." She also handed my one loose .40 round.

Safer for whom? The BG. What good is a firearm if you can't reach it? BTW, if they ever rack mine they will get a live round. All of mine have a round in the chamber and ready to go.

[tattedupboy]

May I ask why your gun was in the glovebox and not somewhere closer and more accessible, like your person or the center console? Also, why was there not a round chambered?

[Glock Fan]

Originally Posted by Red Hat

Safer for whom? The BG. What good is a firearm if you can't reach it? BTW, if they ever rack mine they will get a live round. All of mine have a round in the chamber and ready to go.

I think she was talking about safer for her to return the firearm. I agree with Red Hat and Tatt in that I would have had a round chambered.

Glad everything went pretty smooth and it didn't end up with you in handcuffs.



gf

[Aggressive1]

I would think she meant safer for her to get back to her car because you couldn't easilty reach it. Was nice of her to lock it back so when you reinstalled the magazine you'd have one in the chaber

What police department was the office from?

[FN1910]

We can nitpick this to death but overall I would say that she handled it nicely. One question that I have is that everyone always assumes that the LEO runs the serial number of their gun in a case like this but do they actually do it?

[Glockster20]

If you are polite and cooperative your experience with an LEO should go smoothly. Yes we always check the serial. About a month ago on reserve duty, my lieutenant and I pulled over a car for speeding. The driver announced that he did have a pistol under the seat. However, upon asking him to exit the vehicle, we noticed the handle of a gun under his thigh right in the fron seat. We immediately drew our weapons and ordered him out of the car. It was a Hi-point 9mm so we secured it and set it on the hood of our car. We then commenced to searching his vehicle for illegal contraban and weapons. He had two more guns in the trunk, a semi-auto rifle and another handgun. We ran the serials on all and checked to see if he had a CC permit. He checked out and so did the guns and we let him go.

[Lee Enfield]

The gun was in the glove box because I do not have a center console in my car. I have applied for, but not received, my CC permit, so the glove box (or the trunk) is the only place I can legally keep a gun in South Carolina.

I also normally have a round chambered but had cleared the pistol earlier in the day and not chambered one again.

Just out of curiosity Glockster, what happens if the SN comes back as not being registered to you? I mean, if it hasn't been used in a crime or anything but hasn't been registered to you.

[S&WM&P40]

Originally Posted by Glockster20

If you are polite and cooperative your experience with an LEO should go smoothly. Yes we always check the serial. About a month ago on reserve duty, my lieutenant and I pulled over a car for speeding. The driver announced that he did have a pistol under the seat. However, upon asking him to exit the vehicle, we noticed the handle of a gun under his thigh right in the fron seat. We immediately drew our weapons and ordered him out of the car. It was a Hi-point 9mm so we secured it and set it on the hood of our car. We then commenced to searching his vehicle for illegal contraban and weapons. He had two more guns in the trunk, a semi-auto rifle and another handgun. We ran the serials on all and checked to see if he had a CC permit. He checked out and so did the guns and we let him go.

What grounds did you have the right to search the car?? I hope your not going to say because he had a gun? I will be polite to a officer who gives it first if they walk up like they are hot Sh*t then i will return it right back to them. I love how some LEO walk around thinking they are the only ones who have a right to carry a gun. You always get "Why do you carry a gun" Or "Why would you want to carry a gun".

[Red Hat]

Originally Posted by Lee Enfield

Just out of curiosity Glockster, what happens if the SN comes back as not being registered to you? I mean, if it hasn't been used in a crime or anything but hasn't been registered to you.

We don't have to register firearms in SC. The only record is with the FFL that sold it last and they keep the paperwork until they turn in their license.