Two questions for local LEOs

[Aloha_Shooter]

First, the scenario:
I got stopped tonight by a state trooper after testing out my new-to-me 1911. He said I was doing 39 in a 30; I apologized and told him I wasn't aware of that as I'd been looking at the road and sides of the road (after all, it was dark and Halloween weekend). He asked what I was doing on that particular road (?). The question struck me as odd but I told him I had just finished test firing a new pistol.

He then asked if I had a gun in the car. I told him I did, one under the shirt (both hands were on the wheel in plain sight before he got to my window) and the pistol I had been firing was in the trunk. I nodded to my wallet laying open on the window sill with the CCP showing and told him I had my concealed carry permit there.

I gave him my license and he just asked me to verbally verify I had insurance when he saw the mass of paperwork I was sorting through. He then asked me to take my CCP out of the wallet and said he wasn't going to ticket me but he had to run it in since he stopped me.

Question 1: What the heck did he need to run in since he wasn't ticketing me and why did he need my CCP to do it?

As an aside, after he returned with license and permit, he asked why I felt the need to carry concealed. He said he didn't want to offend me and he wasn't against it, he just asks everyone because he's curious. I was frankly shocked at the question.

All kinds of retorts came to mind like "same reason I take first aid training and know CPR" or "do I need to have a reason to exercise my rights?" but he was calm and professional and I didn't want to make a scene so I just told him the average police response time is about 10 minutes and while I don't want to ever have to use my firearms, situations unfold fast and I don't want regret after the fact NOT having had something to defend myself. He nodded and wished me a safe drive so I hope that's the end of it.

Question 2: Is this a normal line of inquiry for the state troopers? Is there something I don't know about going on that would lead one to ask these kinds of questions?

I want to reiterate, I have no problem with LEOs or being stopped if I was speeding. I'm just curious about what the CCP has to do with a traffic stop and what he had to log or call in if I wasn't getting a ticket.

[Eggysrun]

I dunno, he did say he asks everyone and was curious. Seems a good enough reason for me.

Lucky to have a trooper who was lenient, rule of thumb is usually 7 over you'll get a ticket.

[cstone]

How many minutes did the stop last? I ask everyone that question just because I am curious?

If you were speeding, he had the right to stop and issue. While he was in contact, he can ask any question he wants to and you had a decision to make about how you wanted to answer. It sounds like he was honest in his curiosity and he probably appreciated your response. Did he give you a contact card? Some troopers give these out after a stop when they don't issue a summons. It is basically a business card with a contact number to report an compliments or complaints to CSP.

Be safe.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Yeah, I got a contact card. As I said, I have no complaints with him stopping me if I was speeding. I genuinely was scanning the street and sidewalks rather than the speedometer. I don't have any problem with the trooper either -- I'm just curious what my permit had to do with the traffic stop and what he would have been calling in or recording. The question struck me as odd (most LEOs I've had personal contact with have been supporters of concealed carry for the public) but didn't bug me.

[BPTactical]

(Disclaimer-not LE but have dealt with CSP lots over the years)
He probably just did a normal clearance, just because you have a CCP doesn't mean you might not have a warrant.
State Patrol? I am surprised he "chatted" with you and lucky he didn't write you. I have dealt with them enough to know they are a different breed.
Most of me says a just a legit question on his behalf and he does want to know why but maybe fishing a bit too.

[sniper7]

sounds like he was just making conversation since you offered up your CCP right off the bat.
Or he might be one of the guys who thinks only LEO and Military should have guns and the rest of us are ill trained and not mentally stable enough. He might just ask that question to write out his own response to the people he pulled over on some LEO forum.

Either way, sounds like it was very professional, he let you go which was a huge plus and you had the opportunity to tell a LEO why you carry. Sounds like the best way to get pulled over if it is going to happen.

[Great-Kazoo]

Wants? and Warrants. The most clean cut guy's, basic story can sound plausible until their DL is called in.

[King]

Did you give him your drivers license. If not he probably just took your info from your ccw permit to check for warrants or revoked/suspended license etc.

Im not surprised by him asking you why you choose to carry. Surprisingly, a lot of cops are anti gun. That doesnt mean he is but makes you wonder

[OneGuy67]

As a LEO, I have an interest in knowing if there are firearms or any other weapons readily accessible by anyone I contact. The fact you had your concealed carry card out would indicate to me, you probably had a firearm with you. You need to remember, that LEO does not know you, does not know if you are a decent person, or just killed your wife and are leaving the area. When the records check comes back as you not having any warrants and a valid drivers license, there is no need to continue the contact. However, if you had a warrant, that information would be valuable.

He may have had a legitimate curiosity as to your desire to carry concealed and giving him a smart assed answer is juvenile. You gave him an honest answer and satisfied his curiosity and maybe enlightened him in a positive way.

In Colorado, if a person is stopped on a traffic violation and not issued a summons, a business card is required to be given. It was enacted several years ago when a legislator had a hard on for Denver PD. They are required to obtain all sorts of information in their stops for statistical analysis and the rest of us have to give out a business card.

[trlcavscout]

Worst LEO I have dealt with was csp! I dont know what they see here they may need your card number to verify its not revoked? From what my friends at a couple different sherriffs offices in Nevada told me, they could see your ccw info by running your plates? But in Las Vegas you also had to register all handguns and you had to qualify with each gun you carried and have its serial number on your permit.