We all know that CCW holders are not above the law. As a matter of fact, we go out of our way to obey the law. We subject ourselves to governmental rule (in spite of our inalienable rights), pay money, take training go through background checks and sometimes psychological evaluations just to be able to defend ourselves and our loved ones.

But do we carry this fervor through to our every day lives?

A friend recounted a story to me a short while ago. He is a CCW holder and was pulled over by a Highway Patrol officer for talking on his cell phone while driving… a minor infraction in CA, but one that can get you hassled.. Unfortunately, he had not really rehearsed how he would handle a situation like this and fumbled the initial contact. He fully intended to hand the officer his CCW card as well as his driver’s license, even though it was not required in his county. He was nervous and sort of blurted out that he was carrying. The officer was particularly reactive to this announcement and basically drew down on him. Shortly after that, my friend got to experience being proned out on the pavement and handcuffed.

A nightmare for most of us. How could he have handled this situation better?

Let’s fast reverse to before the traffic stop. Have you considered the consequences that might await you with a simple traffic stop? I think we all have considered the larger issues and would consider ourselves ‘law abiding citizens’. We don’t steal, participate in road rage, drink and drive.. etc. Do you ‘break the law’ in small ways while carrying? Speeding, driving while on your cell phone, expired registration… all could get you pulled over by your friendly neighborhood police officer. Are any of these infractions worth the risk of being proned out and possibly arrested.

Now in my friends case, after securing the weapon and running him through the system, the officer released him with a citation and returned his unloaded weapon. But could you envision this turning out much worse?

Something to consider…