Opinion
No one likes to see flashing blue lights in the rearview mirror. Whether it’s a warning, a ticket, or just bad luck, a traffic stop can make anyone’s heart race.
For law-abiding citizens, especially those who carry firearms, it’s one of the most tense and unpredictable moments you can experience. I know I have been there many times. I have been giving this same advice out for years, with or without a firearm present; it’s only common sense.
Preparation, visibility, and communication are the difference between a routine stop that resolves quickly and safely and one that risks misunderstanding or legal complications. Those few moments, staying visible, keeping hands in plain sight, and calmly stating your intentions can make the difference between being remembered as the respectful driver who followed procedure or creating confusion and anxiety that nobody wants. When these principles are put into practice, most stops end with everyone going home safely and the situation never escalating beyond a brief inconvenience.
Additionally, the way you interact with and the respect and cooperation you show a police officer during a traffic stop can directly impact any plea negotiations or dismissals your attorney later seeks. In my experience, prosecutors almost always ask the arresting officer for their opinion before considering a reduction or dismissal of charges.
If your roadside behavior was hostile or uncooperative, that negative impression will follow you into the courtroom and it can make your attorney’s job much more difficult.
Pull Over Safely — Show You’re Cooperative
The first thing you should do when those lights come on is acknowledge the officer immediately. Turn on your signal and slow down. Pull as far to the right off the road as you safely can. Whether it’s dark or you’re on a narrow shoulder, keep your hazard lights on and, if possible, roll to the next well-lit parking lot or gas station. Officers appreciate that they know you’re thinking about safety, not trying to escape, and in most situations, it will yield benefits, immediately or later in court.
Think of what it looks like from behind: erratic braking, swerving, or slamming to a stop in traffic is alarming. Smooth, steady movement tells the officer that you’re calm and cooperative.Many people are never subjected to a traffic stop; nevertheless, prepare mentally, take the mystery out of the encounter, and study this playbook.
Make Yourself Visible and Predictable
Once you’re parked, do the little things that make a big difference in the eyes of law enforcement.
Turn off the engine, roll your window down, and flip on your dome lights if it’s dark. Keep both hands on the steering wheel where the officer can see them. The Police Officer will notice, and most likely will be aware by your actions, that you are a concealed carry holder and law-abiding citizen. Think about it, if you’re a licensed concealed carry holder, law enforcement already knows a lot about you. You’re not a felon, you have already passed a background check, and you’re part of the safest, most law-abiding segment of society.
If you’ve ever seen a traffic stop from the other side of the badge, you know visibility equals safety. An officer who can see your hands and read your intentions is an officer who’s relaxed and that keeps everyone safer.
Have Your Documents Ready — But Don’t Go Digging
I tell drivers all the time: keep your license, registration, and insurance above the visor or somewhere you can reach without bending out of sight. The worst thing you can do is start rummaging through the glove box or console before the officer walks up. From their perspective, all they see is a head and shoulders disappearing into the car. What are you doing? Hiding something? Grabbing something? They don’t know.
Instead, wait until the officer approaches and tell them exactly what you’re doing:
How I react is, as soon as the Officer is at my window, I calmly announce, “Officer, I am a concealed carry holder and I have my firearm on my right hip, do you have any instructions?” Officer: “Can I see your license, registration, and proof of insurance?” Officer, my registration is in the glove compartment. May I reach for it?” (Remember, U.S. Supreme Court decisions, notably Terry v. Ohio (1968) and Michigan v. Long (1983), recognize an officer’s limited right to search the immediate area within a suspect’s control, known as a protective search, if the officer reasonably believes that the person may be armed and dangerous. That one sentence, “Officer, my registration is in the glove box. May I reach for it?” can lower everyone’s blood pressure.
Firearm Disclosure — Know Your State’s Laws
If you carry a firearm, understand the law where you are. Some states require you to notify the officer immediately. Others, like my home state of Ohio, require you to inform only if asked. And some states have no legal duty to inform at all. www.Handgunlaw.us is a great resource for every state’s concealed carry laws.
Even if it’s not mandatory, I immediately inform the Officer that I am carrying with clear, calm communication. I have found that respect for the officer’s safety immediately sets the tone for the encounter.
“Officer, I have a concealed carry permit, and my firearm is on my right hip.” Your calm communication will put the officer at ease and show your respect for the officer’s safety. I always announce the presence of a firearm whether no matter what the law, that way I’m covered in all jurisdictions. After years of successfully navigating traffic stops, I can tell you firsthand that law enforcement appreciates it and it has potential to pay big dividends. Remember, never reach for the gun or even gesture toward it. Let the officer give you directions.
Respectful Communication Goes a Long Way
Politeness is not weakness; it’s a strategy.
A few calm, respectful words can make the entire encounter smoother:
“Yes, officer.”
“No problem.”
“I understand.”
Arguing on the side of the road at 2:00 am is pointless. You won’t win, and it can only make matters worse. If the officer makes a mistake or misreads the law, that’s what attorneys and courts are for. Be courteous, collect the facts, and let due process work. Even if you are sure the Police Officer is wrong.
Announce Every Movement
Every time you move inside your car, you narrate what you’re doing.
“Officer, my driver’s license is in my right pants pocket, my firearm is also holstered on my right hip. May I reach for my wallet?”
Then move slowly. If you drop something, don’t bend down right away before you communicate your move with the officer. Wait, explain, then move.
Predictable movement equals calm officers.
If You’re Detained or Arrested, Stay Professional
Be prepared. If the stop escalates into a detention or arrest, it’s time to stop talking and start protecting your rights calmly.“Officer, I wish to remain silent and speak with my attorney.”
That’s all you need to say. Don’t argue, resist, or try to explain your side on the roadside. Everything you say in that moment is evidence. Your attorney’s job is to handle it later. Make sure you inform the officer that you will not speak without your attorney present, which invokes stronger rights than just “I wish to remain silent.”
Leaving Stop Safely
When it’s over, wait until the officer returns to their car and gives a clear signal that you can leave. Use your turn signal, check your mirrors, and re-enter traffic safely. Departing too fast or too soon can undo all the calm professionalism you showed during the stop.
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The Bottom Line
A traffic stop doesn’t have to be a confrontation. You can’t control what kind of day the officer is having, but you can control how you respond. Remember, you do not know what the officer just responded to before he pulled you over. Maybe it was a violent domestic violence call, maybe he just had to arrest a violent felon, what happened immediately prior to your traffic stop will most assuredly have an effect on the officer’s mood. Show respect, stay calm, and be predictable. Keep your hands visible, your words polite, and your firearm holstered.
We have all seen the YouTube videos of the person being pulled over, recording, announcing they are a sovereign citizen, questioning or objecting to every word out of the officer’s mouth, creating problems that seconds ago did not exist. Don’t be that person. Remember, your goal is to make it home with no more than a moving violation.
That’s not just legal advice — it’s common sense.
Here is a bullet outline of the key points to remember:
- Prepare mentally before driving armed: Know the law and anticipate what to say and do if stopped.
- When pulled over, signal, and park safely, leaving room for officer safety.
- Roll down windows and keep hands in full view on the steering wheel; turn on the dome light if it’s dark.
- Remain seated, do not reach for documentation until requested.
- Imagine how sudden movements (like reaching for the glove box) appear threatening from the officer’s perspective; always ask before reaching.
- If required, promptly and calmly disclose your concealed carry permit and firearm, specifying its location respectfully.
- Follow all instructions; do not touch or move your firearm unless expressly told to by the officer.
- Cooperate politely and comply with lawful requests, including stepping out if asked.
- Inform officers of other armed passengers as required by law.
- If multiple officers interact, notify each that you have meaningful contact with; don’t pursue those with no interaction.
- Documentation should be valid, accessible, and kept in a location that does not require you to rummage through your glove compartment to locate the requested documents. Keep it all together above the visor.
- Effective communication, clear visibility, and respect for procedure are crucial to keeping the encounter safe, professional, and unremarkable.
About Sean Maloney.
Sean Maloney is a criminal defense attorney, co-founder of Second Call Defense, and an NRA-certified firearms instructor. He is a nationally recognized speaker on critical topics including the Second Amendment, self-defense, the use of lethal force, and concealed carry. Sean has worked on numerous use-of-force and self-defense cases and has personally trained hundreds of civilians to respond safely and legally to life-threatening situations. He is a passionate advocate for restoring the cultural legitimacy of the Second Amendment and promoting personal responsibility in self-defense.
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