Do you have to tell cop if you have a gun in your car?

[C-dub]

I probably should have clarified that if I were asked I would tell the officer. What I meant was that I wouldn't say anything if they did not ask.

[Jumping Frog]

I was under the impression that lying to a police officer in performance of their duties was a crime in and of itself.

I thought SCOTUS said suspects have a Fifth Amendment right to lie to police. Lying under oath is still perjury but that's different from when a cop questions someone outside the courtroom.

Seems to me that a person has a 5th Amendment right to keep the piehole closed, but if you open it and lie that is a crime.

[PostShooter]

I was under the impression that lying to a police officer in performance of their duties was a crime in and of itself.

I thought SCOTUS said suspects have a Fifth Amendment right to lie to police. Lying under oath is still perjury but that's different from when a cop questions someone outside the courtroom.

Seems to me that a person has a 5th Amendment right to keep the piehole closed, but if you open it and lie that is a crime.

It's called providing false information to a law enforcement officer. And you can go away for a while for it. And lose your CHL in the bargain.

The Fifth is a wonderful thing and you can invoke it at your own discretion. However, in my experience, most cops do not like it when you invoke that little piece of legislation. All it does is raise the red flag. The next thing you know, five hours later, you're standing next to what was once your vehicle - taken apart into tiny little pieces by the department's forensics team - with a ticket for doing ten mph over what you were doing. At 2 in the morning. To the sound of a cop laughing as he peels out from the side of the road.

Treat a cop the way you would want to be treated. If he asks, and you have a firearm, let him know you do. If I was doing the asking, I'd want to know. Save yourself a LOT of trouble. After all, they have badges and the entire judicial system behind them.

[Lambda Force]

It's called providing false information to a law enforcement officer. And you can go away for a while for it. And lose your CHL in the bargain.

I'll bite. Lots of criminals tell the cops they didn't do it. When they're convicted of the original crime, how many are charged and convicted of this supposed crime of lying to the cops? If it's less than 90% what's the point of the law? If they're not going to use it against real criminals in what should be a slam dunk conviction, it's just there to harass taxpayers who don't appreciate the government sticking a nose where it doesn't belong.

Treat a cop the way you would want to be treated.

I do, as long as he gives me the same courtesy. I wouldn't demand to know about his religion, his guns, who he voted for, or other constitutional rights. If he crosses that line first, then he showed me how he wants to be treated.

[texasmusic]

It's called providing false information to a law enforcement officer. And you can go away for a while for it. And lose your CHL in the bargain.

I'll bite. Lots of criminals tell the cops they didn't do it. When they're convicted of the original crime, how many are charged and convicted of this supposed crime of lying to the cops? If it's less than 90% what's the point of the law? If they're not going to use it against real criminals in what should be a slam dunk conviction, it's just there to harass taxpayers who don't appreciate the government sticking a nose where it doesn't belong.

It's to keep people from misleading the police. You can't tell the cops the bank robber went into one house when you know he's in the other one.

I know the police have to deal with tons of people lying every day. My policy is just be straight with them, most seem to appreciate some honesty from people every now and then and that usually makes the encounter much more pleasant.

[Lambda Force]

I agree. If they play it straight they'll get the same from me. However, if they start asking intrusive questions about my constitutional rights (religion, guns, reading habits, voting, etc.) then they overstep the bounds of playing it straight, and no longer deserve my respect or cooperation. However, I can be very polite while being utterly uncooperative, so my approach works for me but it's not for everybody.