rickster
10-11-2009, 12:45 PM
This didn't happen on the bike, but I thought it makes a good story nonetheless:
On my way back from working in CA Thurs. before last, I was flying up I-5 just north of Yreka in a rented Caddy, anxious to get home as I had a sick wife and two sick kids to help take care of, and I'd already been away from home for almost 11 days straight.
I had brought my old Colt .32 auto and a Taurus .22 snubby revolver to give to my older daughter in Visalia, but our schedules didn't mesh so I still had them in the trunk of the car.
Waiting for me at the top of a hill was a gleaming white Crown Victoria with a stern looking CHP officer inside, who promptly gave me the "pull it over, buster" gesture.
He walked up to the window, asked for my license and reg., then reported that he had me on radar at 81, and the limit was 65 there. OK, I can live with that; I had it coming, and with almost 4 years past since my last ticket I reckon I was due. But then he asked me something I have never had an LEO ask, even with all of my encounters with the law. Here's roughly how the dialog went: (CHP in italics)
"Do you have any weapons in the car?"
"Ah, not up here in the front." (I was somewhat taken aback by the question)
"What do you have?"
"I have an antique Colt .32 automatic and a little Taurus .22 in the trunk."
"Are they loaded?"
(After a monent's thought):
"Oh crap, I believe they are! I think I forgot to unload them before I left!"
"Do you have a ccw?"
"No."
"Are you an LEO?"
"No."
"Do you realize it's an arrestable offense in the state of CA to carry a concealed weapon without a permit? It's a felony, and your guns could be immediately and permantly confiscated."
"Even in the trunk, out of reach of the driver?"
"Even in the trunk; if it's loaded, it's considered a concealed weapon. Are you a convicted felon?"
"No.":angel:
"Do you have any restraining orders against you?"
"No.":angel:
"Do you currently have any warrants out for your arrest?"
"None that I'm aware of.":angel:
"Where are the guns?"
"They're in the trunk in a leather bag."
"Why don't you pop the trunk release then stand in front of your car so I can keep an eye on you?"
"OK." (Pretty freaked at this point, wondering if there is a good laywer and/or bailbondsman in Yreka.)
After he removed them from the trunk:
"Are these registered?"
"The Taurus is registered to me; I don't know about the Colt, it used to belong to my Dad."
After asking me a few more questions he had me wait in the car until he ran the guns' numbers and mine. All this time I'm thinking "I can't go to jail! This would mess up everything!"
Fortunately I must not have given him the impression I was much of a criminal, for after he checked everything out he mentioned that he couldn't bear the thought of the Colt getting crushed by Nancy's new law, especially since it used to be my Dad's. He wrote me for 80+ in a 65, and admonished me to keep the guns in the trunk and the ammo. up front, and be aware of the laws that pertain to gun ownership and transport in the states where you travel. :standcorn
Yes, I learned a lesson.:sad: I can't wait to find out what the fine amount is, given Ca's financial situation.:sad: My other daughter said she was recently fined $120 in CA for talking on her cell!!!
I wish I had asked him what prompted him to ask me about the weapons, though. I probably could have just lied about them, as I don't figure he had probable cause to search the car, but I've never tried lying to a cop and wasn't about to start then. For all I know they might have a law that allows them to search the vehicle if you're stopped for speeding over a certain number. Maybe it was a combination of the Caddy, the out-of-state plates, the short haircut, and the overall harried and haggard look I was sporting; I dunno. :idunno:
Any of you LEO's out there (you know who you are) please offer your feedback.
On my way back from working in CA Thurs. before last, I was flying up I-5 just north of Yreka in a rented Caddy, anxious to get home as I had a sick wife and two sick kids to help take care of, and I'd already been away from home for almost 11 days straight.
I had brought my old Colt .32 auto and a Taurus .22 snubby revolver to give to my older daughter in Visalia, but our schedules didn't mesh so I still had them in the trunk of the car.
Waiting for me at the top of a hill was a gleaming white Crown Victoria with a stern looking CHP officer inside, who promptly gave me the "pull it over, buster" gesture.
He walked up to the window, asked for my license and reg., then reported that he had me on radar at 81, and the limit was 65 there. OK, I can live with that; I had it coming, and with almost 4 years past since my last ticket I reckon I was due. But then he asked me something I have never had an LEO ask, even with all of my encounters with the law. Here's roughly how the dialog went: (CHP in italics)
"Do you have any weapons in the car?"
"Ah, not up here in the front." (I was somewhat taken aback by the question)
"What do you have?"
"I have an antique Colt .32 automatic and a little Taurus .22 in the trunk."
"Are they loaded?"
(After a monent's thought):
"Oh crap, I believe they are! I think I forgot to unload them before I left!"
"Do you have a ccw?"
"No."
"Are you an LEO?"
"No."
"Do you realize it's an arrestable offense in the state of CA to carry a concealed weapon without a permit? It's a felony, and your guns could be immediately and permantly confiscated."
"Even in the trunk, out of reach of the driver?"
"Even in the trunk; if it's loaded, it's considered a concealed weapon. Are you a convicted felon?"
"No.":angel:
"Do you have any restraining orders against you?"
"No.":angel:
"Do you currently have any warrants out for your arrest?"
"None that I'm aware of.":angel:
"Where are the guns?"
"They're in the trunk in a leather bag."
"Why don't you pop the trunk release then stand in front of your car so I can keep an eye on you?"
"OK." (Pretty freaked at this point, wondering if there is a good laywer and/or bailbondsman in Yreka.)
After he removed them from the trunk:
"Are these registered?"
"The Taurus is registered to me; I don't know about the Colt, it used to belong to my Dad."
After asking me a few more questions he had me wait in the car until he ran the guns' numbers and mine. All this time I'm thinking "I can't go to jail! This would mess up everything!"
Fortunately I must not have given him the impression I was much of a criminal, for after he checked everything out he mentioned that he couldn't bear the thought of the Colt getting crushed by Nancy's new law, especially since it used to be my Dad's. He wrote me for 80+ in a 65, and admonished me to keep the guns in the trunk and the ammo. up front, and be aware of the laws that pertain to gun ownership and transport in the states where you travel. :standcorn
Yes, I learned a lesson.:sad: I can't wait to find out what the fine amount is, given Ca's financial situation.:sad: My other daughter said she was recently fined $120 in CA for talking on her cell!!!
I wish I had asked him what prompted him to ask me about the weapons, though. I probably could have just lied about them, as I don't figure he had probable cause to search the car, but I've never tried lying to a cop and wasn't about to start then. For all I know they might have a law that allows them to search the vehicle if you're stopped for speeding over a certain number. Maybe it was a combination of the Caddy, the out-of-state plates, the short haircut, and the overall harried and haggard look I was sporting; I dunno. :idunno:
Any of you LEO's out there (you know who you are) please offer your feedback.