Questions Posted to "Ask a Dispatcher"
Q. If I am carrying a concealed firearm and a police officer wants to speak to me for whatever reason, am I required by law to inform them that I am packing and do I have to surrender my firearm so that they can "secure" it? Seems to me that if the exchange happens on a crowded street, that might be a little awkward and I imagine a few police officers that would probably feel more than a little uncomfortable about that if it is the case. Also, how does that work under the whole "shall not be infringed" thingy?
Dear Juneau Resident,
First, yes, when contacted by a law enforcement officer you are required to disclose your concealed weapon. Action from there greatly depends upon the reason for contact.
If you are contacted by an officer for paperwork service, a traffic stop, etc., you’ll want to let them know you are carrying. At that point, the officer may or may not ask to see the weapon, whether the contact is on Montana Creek Rd or Front St. If the officer does request to see the firearm, they are likely running a routine check on the serial number to determine if the firearm is listed as stolen or if it has been involved in any crimes.
If you are contacted by an officer as part of a criminal investigation, regardless of your involvement, let them know immediately that you are carrying a concealed firearm. It will be up to the officer to decide, based on the circumstances of the contact, what to do from there. An officer may “secure” a weapon for safety or evidentiary reasons.
Provided there is not a disqualifying factor in your criminal history (aka: as long as you haven’t been naughty), your second amendment rights to keep and bear arms “shall not be infringed.”
