I'll start with the free admission that I'm an idiot.
I let my truck registration expire. Not on purpose, of course, I just totally spaced that it was due the end of the year. Now, the registry sent out the form for renewal like the beginning of November. It happened to arrive at the same time as the renewal form for the camper (which expires the end of November) and the renewal for the Harley (also end of the year).
Two out of three vehicles are currently out of commission for the season. Both have been winterized, secured for the winter months, and taken off the road. Three guesses as to which registration I forgot to renew...
So, January 4th I'm over at my in-laws and I see my father-in-law's Sportster in their garage. It's still got the '08 tags on it. And it clicks in my head - Oh, shit, I forgot to renew the truck reg!!! I get out the paperwork, call it in, get a confirmation number which I duly write down. The cheery computer-generated voice on the other end of the phone informs me that my new registration will be mailed in approximately 7 days.
Well, last night I got pulled over.
Mind you, this is the first time I've been pulled over since the Clinton administration. The first term. Road rage ranting to the contrary, I'm a conscientious and law-abiding driver. I generally stick to within 5 MPH of the speed limit, always use my turn signals, and come to a complete stop at all stop signs and traffic lights. A real Boy Scout behind the wheel, that's me.
So why did I get pulled over? You'll love this:
My plate was too dirty...
The NH town cop who pulled me over was unflaggingly polite as he informed me for the reason for the stop - he couldn't read my plate because of the winter garf on it. Since it was 9:00 PM on a Saturday night in a town with more bars than churches, three guesses as to the real reason he pulled me over... Anyways, I handed him my registration renewal form with the confirmation number scribbled on it, explained what it meant, and he took it in stride and called it in - sure enough, the registration is valid, hence the "didn't get arrested" comments I've been leaving around the 'net...
Alas, no OUI for Officer Friendly tonight. Not from this huckleberry, not ever.
(Side note: when I opened my wallet to get my license - done very slowly and in front of him per instruction of my State cop father - he caught a glimpse of my NH non-res handgun permit. He looked puzzled, then asked, "Do you have a NH license, too?" I paused for a second, not really wanting to say, "Oh, yeah, that's my out-of-state firearms permit", when he realized his error and said never mind...)
That is all.
5 comments:
What does the NH out of state permit look like? Our in state permits are just a piece of paper?
Sounds like the Mass Registry is a little easier to deal with now. I guess as long as you don't have to go in person. How long before they program their computers to be rude, incompetent and insulting? I used to live in Massachusetts, and am thankful every time I remember I don't deal with the Registry!
NH Permit doesn't look like much of anything. Not even a photo. Just a #, and a description of the bearer as well as the vital statistics.
I've taken the advice of several friends and all my carry permits are buried deep in my wallet. Not so deep that I can't pull it out every five minuets when I buy a new gun or a brick of .22, but deep enough that when the cop asks for my license I won't give him any reason to make sure I'm in full compliance with the law.
I've read the horror stories, and don't want to be a cast member!
Jay, Were you armed at the time? Is that what the NH document meant? Does that mean the cop was cool with that? Generally, how do you think uniformed cops feel about people with the concealed carry permits? These are just questions, not inferences of any kind.
You handled that well- And yep, bet the occifer was looking for a drunk driver :-)
Mike,
I've actually posted about whether to disclose or not. Long story short, if you are legally bound to disclose(know the laws of the state in which you are carrying), then do so immediately and in the least threatening way possible (hands firmly on steering wheel, do NOT use "gun" or weapon", etc.).
NH has no law about disclosing.
And that's all I'll say about that...
As far as how cops feel, that's a good question. I know cops who support CCW 100%; still others think only the police and military should be armed.
Kinda like the rest of the populus... ;)
Problem is, you don't know what the cop's mindset is. I've heard stories of guys telling the cop they were armed and getting out of a ticket - the officer was impressed at being told. I've also heard stories of guys disclosing that they were armed and winding up eating gravel.
Any cop that approaches the car without thinking that the occupant might be armed is in the wrong line of work, IMHO...
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