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What Is A Duty To Inform?

In the world of concealed carry, a duty to inform is the legal obligation to inform an officer, deputy, etc. that an individual is carrying a concealed firearm when that individual comes into contact with a member of law enforcement.

It can initially feel weird to have an interaction with law enforcement while carrying a concealed firearm.

It really shouldn’t, when you think about it.

If you carry every day, such an interaction is virtually inevitable (looking at you, highway speed demons), and you’re not doing anything wrong, as long as you’re following state and local laws while carrying.

Police are also trained in how to interact with armed citizens. You’re not the first concealed carrier they’ve seen, and you’re not going to be the last.

Classifications

Currently, there are three classifications of duty to inform in common practice, with three notable exceptions.

As the United States Concealed Carry Association reports, 12 states currently require carriers to inform law enforcement immediately upon contact. Washington, D.C., is in this vein as well.

An additional 12 states have a law that gives carriers a duty to inform only inform but only if asked about law enforcement.

And then, of course, there are plenty of states that don’t require you to inform law enforcement at all, including, surprisingly, the majority of New England.

The three exceptions are in Maine, North Dakota, and California. In Maine and North Dakota, if you have a concealed carry permit, you don’t have a duty to inform. If you don’t have a permit, you do have a duty to inform.

In California, there’s nothing at the state level, and the duty to inform varies by locality. Because nothing in California is ever simple.

Of course, it’s still probably just wise to tell an officer if you’re armed and they ask you about it.

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About the Author

Josiah is a veteran writer and active voice in the gun community. He is passionate about not only ensuring that American citizens know their rights, but why they have those rights and what a gift it is to be in a country that acknowledges their God-given freedoms. His standard concealed carry rig is a Tristar T-100 in 9mm settled comfortably in a Quick Click and Carry Holster made by JM4 Tactical.

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