Stopped in Alabama

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TJW815
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Stopped in Alabama

Post by TJW815 »

A couple weeks ago the Family and I were enroute to Pensacola from Gatlinburg. I had done my homework and determined that my Ohio CHL was valid in all the states that I was passing through but I couldn't remember notification requirements.

Well as I was headed South through Alabama, I saw those ever so familiar blue lights coming up behind me. Now I had seen the trooper coming all dukes of hazard out of the woods but I was playing it cool. You know, don't act overly guilty by slamming on your brakes or pulling over before he gets to you. I knew I had been speeding so it wasn't much of a surprise when he didn't pass me lol.

So, the trooper approaches me, I've got my flashers on, window rolled down, hands on the wheel, etc.. I didn't turn the vehicle (okay, it was a minivan, please don't pull my man card, it's the wife's) off because it was really hot outside and I had my wife and three young children in the car.

He starts in with that ever classic southern draw, "Boy, I got you at 81 mph..." I cut him off, "Officer, I need to tell you that I'm armed and that my weapon is on my left hand side."

He kinda takes a second look at me, then takes a half step back. Right about now, I'm thinking I'm gonna get pulled from the car and tossed through the ringer of getting patted down and what not.

So I offered to the officer, "Sir, would you like to take possession of my weapon while we are taking care of this?"

He's silent for a moment...

Then he speaks, "Son, that won't be necessary, and since you let me know when you didn't have to, you've earned my trust, I really appreciate that."

He asks for my Drivers License, I let him know that I need to reach for my wallet but that my weapon is on the opposite side, he says, no problem.

So I'm getting my license out and I keep my CHL directly behind it. He sees the top portion of my CHL and immediately says, "are you an officer?!"

I'll admit, for a mere split second, I was thinking, will it get me out of a ticket...

So, I tell him "No sir, that's my concealed weapons license" and offer it to him with my license.

He hands it back to me and says something about how all they get down there is a piece of paper.

He walks back to his cruiser and fiddled around for what seemed like a long time. I'm keeping an eye on him through my mirrors when I see him pull a piece of paper. I look at my wife with the oops and aww crap look.

A moment later he's back at my window and I have my hands on the steering wheel, he kinda smiles and then hands me a warning. THANK YOU JESUS!

I don't know if it was because of the trust I earned or maybe he felt sorry for me having to drive a minivan with kids and all that over a long distance, but in any case, he shook my hand, thanked me again, and told me to have a good trip.

Did some looking, that warning saved me $225. They don't fool around in Alabama when it comes to traffic fines!


He did say something in there along the lines of the people that want to shoot police officers don't typically announce they are armed and commended me on being able to defend my family.
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Re: Stopped in Alabama

Post by Brian D. »

It came out alright. You would think he had encountered a CHL holder from Ohio who wasn't sure about notification before now, but apparently not.
Quit worrying, hide your gun well, shut up, and CARRY that handgun!

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Re: Stopped in Alabama

Post by sodbuster95 »

Saw the title and went immediately here...

Image
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TJW815
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Re: Stopped in Alabama

Post by TJW815 »

Brian D. wrote:It came out alright. You would think he had encountered a CHL holder from Ohio who wasn't sure about notification before now, but apparently not.
You'd think but I could see where it's possible he hasn't. I figured better safe than sorry.
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HancockCountyHAl
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Re: Stopped in Alabama

Post by HancockCountyHAl »

I think I would have started off with, I'm licensed in Ohio and ......
Glad it turned out OK.
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Re: Stopped in Alabama

Post by WestonDon »

Duty to notify is probably the law I am most concerned with when traveling outside Ohio. I am in the camp that believes that the less weapons are discussed during a LE encounter the better. YMMV.
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Re: Stopped in Alabama

Post by WayneB »

When I travel across states I review (and print or .pdf to keep with me in the car) and TRY to remember: notification & restaurant carry. Given that I know what I plan to visit on my way, those are the things I try to keep in my head --- and have the printed / .pdf'd info for further review as necessary if our plans get modified.

Glad it went well -- as it should any time a friendly encounters LEO.
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Re: Stopped in Alabama

Post by Mr. Glock »

Handgun law website- Two areas I write down are Notification and Where You
Can’t Carry. Kind of like Cliff Notes for CC travel.
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OhioPaints
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Re: Stopped in Alabama

Post by OhioPaints »

That is my fear, mentioning firearm to a cop who is not used to being notified.

I would agree with Hancock, I would have started out (as required in Ohio) "I have an Ohio Concealed Carry License..." before I mentioned that I was armed. I would probably say "I am not sure of your requirements but in Ohio I am required to notify you that I have an Ohio Concealed Handgun License and that I am armed." YMMV

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Re: Stopped in Alabama

Post by Bama.45 »

Alabama is an awesome state for CCW since it became shall issue. And he's right. It is just a piece of paper. No picture or anything. Or at least that's the way it used to be before I moved.
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Let my aim be true and my hand faster
than those who would seek to destroy me.
Grant me victory over my foes and those who wish to do harm to me and mine.
Let not my last thought be 'If I only had my gun."
And Lord, if today is truly the day you call me home
Let me die in a pile of empty brass."
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Re: Stopped in Alabama

Post by carmen fovozzo »

BOY.....81 with the kids in the car ? Slow down dude.
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Re: Stopped in Alabama

Post by steves 50de »

carmen fovozzo wrote:BOY.....81 with the kids in the car ? Slow down dude.
That's not that fast,.... :roll: with some state's with a 70 or 75 limit. :P
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AlanM
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Re: Stopped in Alabama

Post by AlanM »

steves 50de wrote:
carmen fovozzo wrote:BOY.....81 with the kids in the car ? Slow down dude.
That's not that fast,.... :roll: with some state's with a 70 or 75 limit. :P
Back when the daylight limit for cars in Montana was "Reasonable and Prudent" I passed State Troopers that were cruising at 90 mph while doing about 105. (Yellow band on my tachometer)

There's a LOT of empty open road in Montana.

My '70 Opel GT would actually get lower to the ground the faster I drove. Seriously hugged the curves.
I didn't so much get into that car as I did put it on. (I'm 6'2").
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Re: Stopped in Alabama

Post by schmieg »

AlanM wrote:
steves 50de wrote:
carmen fovozzo wrote:BOY.....81 with the kids in the car ? Slow down dude.
That's not that fast,.... :roll: with some state's with a 70 or 75 limit. :P
Back when the daylight limit for cars in Montana was "Reasonable and Prudent" I passed State Troopers that were cruising at 90 mph while doing about 105. (Yellow band on my tachometer)

There's a LOT of empty open road in Montana.

My '70 Opel GT would actually get lower to the ground the faster I drove. Seriously hugged the curves.
I didn't so much get into that car as I did put it on. (I'm 6'2").
Even I had trouble getting in and out of the Opel GT and I'm 5'6" and back then didn't have the extra weight I have now. It was a great little car though.
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