M-Taliesin
Regular Member
Howdy Folks!
Despite the fact that I haven't any blemish on my driving record for the past 7 years, I thought I'd have one tonight.
I just returned from the bank, where I made a late night deposit. As I was returning home, I drove through the intersection of Chambers and 6th ave and was surprised to have those blue and reds pop on behind me. I immediately hit my right turn signal and pulled over to the shoulder.
The Aurora P.D. officer came to the car and I asked "What did I do, officer?" The question was asked because I purely had not the first clue why he was stopping me. The officer asked for my license, registration and insurance. Since my wallet was laying on the set next to me (because I just got done at the bank and all) I already had it in my hands when he stopped me. "I have my concealed carry permit here too, and I am armed." This was something that got his attention. "Where is your handgun now?" he asked. "It is on my left hip." The officer shined his flashlight down at my belt and could see my XDm .40 holstered in cross-draw fashion, which I tend to favor anyhow.
He took my license and other documentation and said "I'm just going to review your documents and ask that you don't exist the vehicle because you are armed, and keep your hands visible when I return, okay?" I replied "I am not a threat to you or anybody else officer. My handgun is defensive, and I carry it to prevent threats to me." He said "I'll be right back sir. Just give me a minute."
At this point, I still had no idea why I was pulled over. The light at the last intersection was red when I approached it, but I did stop. I waited for it to turn green, and no sooner did I move forward than he hit the lights. Obviously I wasn't speeding, so I truly had no clue why I was sitting on the shoulder, waiting for a policeman to return my paperwork.
Finally he returned, and said "The reason I stopped you is because you have a headlight out. I'm not going to write a ticket, but just warn that you need to get that taken care of."
Something about Subarus, they tend to burn out headlights. My wife has a Subaru, and so do I. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to tell them apart. And both of them seem to eat headlights for breakfast. At least once a month, I'm replacing one of the other. I mentioned that to him and he told me he has a vehicle that does the same thing.
As he handed back my license, registration and insurance information, he said "I really appreciate the way you handled yourself in this stop. You let me know you are armed, and cooperated with my request to stay in the vehicle and keep your hands visible. I want to thank you for handling things as you did!"
I was surprised he'd say that, and pleased that I wasn't getting a ticket too! So, being a good sort of guy, I replied... "Well sir, I'm one of those law abiding citizen sort of people who carry for self defense. After all, you guys cant be everywhere. By the way, what sort of sidearm do you carry?"
He told me he carries a Glock and we had a moment of discussion about handguns until we parted company. I drove home and sat myself down in front of the computer to tell this tale.
And I will admit, freely and of my own volition... I was nervous. I don't get stopped much, and it felt like an extraordinary situation to me. Yeah, I was nervous and told that to the police officer as I fumbled for documents. He seemed to take it in stride that I ain't much accustomed to being stopped. He appreciated the manner that I handled this traffic stop, and to be honest, I really appreciated his in return.
Now I'd better get another headlight before my next midnight outing in the wife's car!!!
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
Despite the fact that I haven't any blemish on my driving record for the past 7 years, I thought I'd have one tonight.
I just returned from the bank, where I made a late night deposit. As I was returning home, I drove through the intersection of Chambers and 6th ave and was surprised to have those blue and reds pop on behind me. I immediately hit my right turn signal and pulled over to the shoulder.
The Aurora P.D. officer came to the car and I asked "What did I do, officer?" The question was asked because I purely had not the first clue why he was stopping me. The officer asked for my license, registration and insurance. Since my wallet was laying on the set next to me (because I just got done at the bank and all) I already had it in my hands when he stopped me. "I have my concealed carry permit here too, and I am armed." This was something that got his attention. "Where is your handgun now?" he asked. "It is on my left hip." The officer shined his flashlight down at my belt and could see my XDm .40 holstered in cross-draw fashion, which I tend to favor anyhow.
He took my license and other documentation and said "I'm just going to review your documents and ask that you don't exist the vehicle because you are armed, and keep your hands visible when I return, okay?" I replied "I am not a threat to you or anybody else officer. My handgun is defensive, and I carry it to prevent threats to me." He said "I'll be right back sir. Just give me a minute."
At this point, I still had no idea why I was pulled over. The light at the last intersection was red when I approached it, but I did stop. I waited for it to turn green, and no sooner did I move forward than he hit the lights. Obviously I wasn't speeding, so I truly had no clue why I was sitting on the shoulder, waiting for a policeman to return my paperwork.
Finally he returned, and said "The reason I stopped you is because you have a headlight out. I'm not going to write a ticket, but just warn that you need to get that taken care of."
Something about Subarus, they tend to burn out headlights. My wife has a Subaru, and so do I. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to tell them apart. And both of them seem to eat headlights for breakfast. At least once a month, I'm replacing one of the other. I mentioned that to him and he told me he has a vehicle that does the same thing.
As he handed back my license, registration and insurance information, he said "I really appreciate the way you handled yourself in this stop. You let me know you are armed, and cooperated with my request to stay in the vehicle and keep your hands visible. I want to thank you for handling things as you did!"
I was surprised he'd say that, and pleased that I wasn't getting a ticket too! So, being a good sort of guy, I replied... "Well sir, I'm one of those law abiding citizen sort of people who carry for self defense. After all, you guys cant be everywhere. By the way, what sort of sidearm do you carry?"
He told me he carries a Glock and we had a moment of discussion about handguns until we parted company. I drove home and sat myself down in front of the computer to tell this tale.
And I will admit, freely and of my own volition... I was nervous. I don't get stopped much, and it felt like an extraordinary situation to me. Yeah, I was nervous and told that to the police officer as I fumbled for documents. He seemed to take it in stride that I ain't much accustomed to being stopped. He appreciated the manner that I handled this traffic stop, and to be honest, I really appreciated his in return.
Now I'd better get another headlight before my next midnight outing in the wife's car!!!
Blessings,
M-Taliesin