Let’s say you get pulled over by the police and you have a Byrna in your car. What happens?
– Good morning, license and registration, please. – Of course, here you go, officer. – Thanks. Have I pulled you over before?
Let’s say I’m carrying a Byrna in my vehicle. So, is it legally required to disclose this to the officer, or should I mention it?
The key here is to listen carefully to exactly what question the officer asks.
– Sir, are there any firearms in the vehicle?
If the officer asks this, since none of the Byrnas are considered firearms, you can say:
– No, officer, there are no firearms in the vehicle.
But what if the officer asks this?
– Sir, are there any weapons in the vehicle?
While the obligation to answer this type of question varies from region to region, in most cases, answering honestly like this won’t have a negative impact:
– Yes, officer, there is a non-lethal Byrna in the center console.
The important point here is: Do not reach for it at all.
– Yes, officer, I can show you if you want. (DO NOT SAY THIS.)
Keep your hands on the steering wheel and visible throughout the entire encounter. You will likely get this reaction:
– Okay, no problem. Keep your hands on the wheel, I’ll be right back.
And the officer proceeds with the traffic stop as planned.
Remember this: Nationwide, traffic stops are the most common situations where police officers are ambushed and killed. So, the more at ease you make the officer, the more positive the encounter will be.
– Here you go, sir, thank you for your cooperation. Watch your speed, have a safe trip.
Since Byrna products are legal in all 50 states, having one in the vehicle likely won’t change the outcome of the traffic stop. However, keeping one in your vehicle ensures you are ready to defend yourself the moment you need to.