It is the absolute worst-case scenario. You were forced to draw your firearm and pull the trigger to save your life. The immediate threat is over, your heart is pounding out of your chest, and your adrenaline is surging.

Now, you have to pick up the phone and dial 911.

What you say in the next 60 seconds will be recorded, transcribed, and dissected word-for-word by detectives, prosecutors, and a grand jury. A single wrong word—spoken while you are in physiological shock—can be twisted around to turn a clear-cut case of self-defense into a second-degree murder indictment.

Do you know what to say? More importantly, do you know what to shut up about? Let’s break down the rules of calling 911 after a critical incident.

The Short Answer

When calling 911 after a self-defense shooting, give only the vital operational facts: state your location, request medical assistance immediately, report that a shooting occurred, describe what you are wearing so responding officers don’t mistake you for the threat, and hang up.

Do not explain the background argument, do not give a detailed play-by-play, and do not make statements about the intruder’s intent.

Rule #1: If Someone Else Is There, Let THEM Call 911

If a family member, bystander, or friend is on the scene with you and is safe, let them make the 911 call.

Why? Because any 911 call made by you will be entered into court as an audio recording of your immediate reaction, emotion, and exact wording. If a bystander makes the call, they are reporting an emergency, which keeps you off the audio recording entirely while you regain control of your breathing and wait for emergency services to arrive.

If they call, tell them to say: “Send an ambulance and police to [address] immediately! Someone has been shot!”

The Golden Script: What TO Say if YOU Make the Call

If you are alone and must make the call yourself, remember that 911 calls are evidence-gathering tools for law enforcement, not a safe space to process your emotions. State these five things and strictly nothing else:

1. Your exact location: “I am at 123 Main Street, send police and an ambulance immediately.”
2. State that a shooting occurred: “There has been a shooting. Someone is injured and needs medical attention.”
3. Establish that you were attacked (briefly): “I was attacked and forced to defend myself.”
4. Describe yourself so officers know who you are: “I am the homeowner. I am a white male wearing a blue t-shirt and jeans.”
5. State that the scene is being made safe: “I am securing my firearm and putting it away.”

Then, tell the dispatcher: “I am hanging up now to render aid and wait for officers.” And hang up.

What NOT to Say on the 911 Call

Your adrenaline will try to force you to talk, justify your actions, or ramble. Resist it. Avoid these critical mistakes:

• ❌ Do NOT say: “I just shot a guy!” (Saying “I shot someone” sounds like an active admission of an assault; stating “there was a shooting” reports the emergency).
• ❌ Do NOT say: “He was threatening me so I blew him away!”
• ❌ Do NOT say: “I didn’t mean to shoot him!” (This destroys a self-defense claim; self-defense is an intentional act of legal justification, not an accident).
• ❌ Do NOT guess at their condition: Don’t say “I think he’s dead.” Just request an ambulance.

The Police Arrival: The Exact Words to Say

When police officers arrive on the scene, their guns will likely be drawn, and you will almost certainly be ordered to the ground and handcuffed. This is standard procedure for officer safety while they secure a violent crime scene. Do not fight it, and do not argue.

Once the scene is secure and an officer begins asking you what happened, recite this exact script:

“Officer, I was afraid for my life, and I’m happy to cooperate with you, but I don’t wish to make a full statement until I have an attorney present.”

Say it clearly. Say it respectfully. Then, stop talking.

Why You Must Wait for an Attorney

When you shoot someone in self-defense, your body dumps massive amounts of adrenaline, cortisol, and adrenaline-fueled brain chemicals into your system. You will experience:

• Tunnel vision and auditory exclusion: You may not remember how many shots were fired or hear things that happened right next to you.
• Time distortion: Seconds will feel like minutes, making your estimation of time totally inaccurate.
• Memory gaps: It takes 24 to 48 hours and a full cycle of sleep for your brain to consolidate memories accurately after a traumatic event.

If you give a detailed statement to police while in shock, your timeline will likely be inconsistent with physical evidence or bodycam footage. Prosecutors will use those minor inconsistencies to claim you are lying to cover up a crime.

About the Author

David G. Ridings is a Nashville criminal defense attorney, former police officer, and former prosecutor with nearly 40 years of experience in the Tennessee justice system. Known as “DrJudge,” he educates hundreds of thousands about their rights during police encounters.

Call to Action

If you were involved in a critical self-defense encounter or facing weapon charges in Tennessee: 👉 Don’t talk. Call 1-888-DRJUDGE

You’re driving down the road when those flashing blue lights appear behind you. As you pull over, you remember your firearm is securely tucked away in the glove box, the center console, or holstered on your hip.

Your heart starts pounding—not because you’re doing anything illegal, but because you aren’t sure what the rules are.

If the officer walks up to your window, are you legally required to immediately volunteer that you have a weapon in the vehicle? Will keeping quiet land you in handcuffs? Or will speaking up accidentally escalate a routine traffic stop into a high-stakes standoff?

Tennessee is a permitless “Constitutional Carry” state, but the rules regarding police encounters trip up thousands of lawful gun owners. Let’s clear up exactly what the law requires you to do.

The Short Answer

No—Tennessee law does not place a legal “duty to inform” on drivers. You do not have to immediately volunteer or disclose that you have a firearm in the vehicle during a routine traffic stop.

However, while you don’t have to volunteer the information, you must never lie if an officer directly asks you whether there are weapons in the car.

The Golden Rule

If you are pulled over while carrying a firearm, your number one priority is ensuring the officer feels completely safe. Use the “Hands on the Wheel” protocol:

Turn on your dome light if it’s dark, roll down your window, place both hands clearly on top of the steering wheel, and do NOT reach anywhere near the firearm.

If the officer asks you for your license and registration, and those documents are located right next to your firearm (like in the glove box), tell the officer before you reach for them: “Officer, my registration is in the glove box, but I want to let you know there is a legally possessed firearm in there as well. How would you like me to proceed?”

Why Volunteering the Information Can Be Unnecessary

Because Tennessee allows permitless carry for lawful adults (18 and older) who can legally possess a firearm, having a gun in your car is completely commonplace.

If you blur out, “I have a gun!” the moment the officer walks up, you might startle them or unintentionally escalate the tension. If they don’t ask, and you don’t need to reach near the weapon to grab your paperwork, you are legally within your rights to simply hand over your license and insurance and keep the conversation focused strictly on the traffic infraction.

When Can an Officer Legally Take Your Gun During a Stop?

Under Tennessee law, a law enforcement officer conducting a lawful traffic stop or temporary detention is allowed to temporarily disarm you for officer safety.

• They can ask to take possession of the firearm while they run your information.
• The Catch: The law explicitly states that they must return the firearm to you before sending you on your way, provided you aren’t being arrested.

What You Should Do If Directly Asked

If the officer asks point-blank, “Are there any weapons in the vehicle?” do not try to use the “right to remain silent” to evade the question. Lying or acting highly suspicious gives them a reason to suspect you are a prohibited felon or hiding something illegal.

Politely state the truth: “Yes, Officer. I have a firearm located in the center console. My hands are staying right here on the wheel.”

What NOT to Do

Avoid these critical, potentially life-threatening mistakes:

• Do NOT point or reach toward the gun while telling the officer it is there.
• Do NOT make sudden, jerky movements toward the floorboards or passenger seat as the officer approaches your vehicle.
• Do NOT say: “I have a weapon and I know my rights.” Keep it calm, professional, and respectful.

Why This Matters

A routine traffic stop can turn into a criminal gun case in a split second if you handle it wrong. If you are a prohibited possessor (due to a prior felony, domestic violence conviction, or certain DUI conditions) and you have a gun in the car, you are facing severe felony charges. But even if you are a completely lawful gun owner, knowing your rights—and knowing how to communicate safely with law enforcement—is the only way to protect your freedom and your safety on the road.

About the Author

David G. Ridings is a Nashville criminal defense attorney, former police officer, and former prosecutor with nearly 40 years of experience in the Tennessee justice system. Known as “DrJudge,” he educates hundreds of thousands about their rights during police encounters.

Call to Action

If you’ve been arrested, disarmed, or charged with a weapons offense during a Tennessee traffic stop:

👉 Don’t talk. Call 1-888-DRJUDGE

Introduction

Tennessee is a gun-friendly state.

But what happens when you are lawfully carrying a firearm and get pulled over?

Do you have to tell the officer?

Can police take your gun?

Can carrying a firearm turn a routine traffic stop into a criminal investigation?

These are questions I hear all the time.

The Short Answer

In Tennessee, there is generally no legal duty to immediately volunteer that you are carrying a firearm during a traffic stop.

However, if asked directly by an officer, you should never lie.

And how you handle the encounter matters.

Tennessee Is a Constitutional Carry State

Tennessee law generally allows lawful individuals to carry handguns without obtaining a permit.

That doesn’t mean every person can legally possess a firearm.

People prohibited from possessing firearms may still face serious criminal charges.

What Should You Do If You’re Carrying?

The safest approach is:

• Keep your hands visible
• Stay calm
• Do not reach toward the firearm
• Follow instructions

If an officer asks whether you are armed:

Tell the truth.

The Biggest Mistake People Make

They start reaching around the vehicle.

Imagine this:

The officer asks for:

• license
• registration
• insurance

You suddenly reach toward the center console where a firearm is located.

That can create a dangerous misunderstanding.

Can Police Temporarily Secure the Firearm?

In many situations, yes.

During a traffic stop, officers may temporarily secure a firearm for safety reasons while the encounter is ongoing.

Whether that action is lawful depends on the circumstances.

What If You Have a Prior Felony?

This is where things become serious.

Federal and Tennessee law generally prohibit convicted felons from possessing firearms.

A traffic stop that would otherwise end with a warning can quickly become a major criminal case.

What If the Gun Belongs to Someone Else?

Another common misconception:

“It’s not my gun.”

Ownership is not always the issue.

Prosecutors often focus on:

• possession
• access
• control

The analysis can become complicated quickly.

What About a Gun in the Glove Box?

Whether a firearm is:

• on your person
• under the seat
• in the glove box
• in a backpack

may all become important facts in a criminal investigation.

Every case is different.

The Smart Approach

If you are stopped while carrying:

1. Stay calm
2. Keep your hands visible
3. Follow lawful instructions
4. Do not volunteer unnecessary information

And remember:

“I don’t answer questions.”

Why This Matters in Nashville

In Nashville and throughout
Davidson County, Tennessee

traffic stops often become:

• gun cases
• drug cases
• search-and-seizure cases

Many people do not realize how quickly a routine stop can escalate.

The Reality

The firearm itself may not be the problem.

What people say about the firearm often becomes the problem.

Statements made during traffic stops are used as evidence every day in Tennessee courts.

The Bottom Line

• Tennessee generally does not require immediate disclosure of a firearm during a traffic stop
• Never lie to an officer
• Keep your hands visible
• Do not reach toward the firearm

And most importantly:

“I don’t answer questions.”

About the Author

David G. Ridings is a Nashville criminal defense attorney with almost 30 years of criminal defense experience and nearly 40 years on every side of the criminal justice system.

He is a former Metro Nashville Police Officer, former prosecutor, and has served as a Night Court Judicial Magistrate since 2023.

Known online as DrJudge, he has educated hundreds of thousands of people about their rights during police encounters — and has literally written the book on the subject, “I Don’t Answer Questions.”

Call to Action

If you’ve been charged with a firearm offense or your firearm was seized during a traffic stop:

👉 Don’t talk. Call 1-888-DRJUDGE

The difference between lawful possession and a criminal charge often comes down to the details.