Currently, over 2 million Floridians possess concealed carry firearm permits. That means there are more people in Florida with a permit to carry a firearm than the entire population of New Mexico! The combination of the current social unrest over police brutality and the increasing number of guns on the streets have intensified interactions between those carrying and police conducting stops.
If someone is carrying a firearm and is pulled over by police, should they inform the officer that they have a gun, or should they remain quiet and just follow the commands of the officer? Police will tell you that they approach every stop assuming that the person they are stopping is likely carrying a firearm. As a result, police approach stopped vehicles slowly and want to see the hands of the driver. This makes the officer’s job even more difficult when there are multiple occupants in the stopped vehicle. The driver should keep their hands on the wheel where the officer can see them, and everyone in the car should avoid making sudden movements.
When a driver is stopped and has a gun in the vehicle, the driver should calmly inform the officer that they are licensed to carry a concealed firearm and that they are in possession of that firearm. While doing this, is important that the driver keep their hands on the steering wheel where the officer can see them. It is likely that the officer will ask exactly where the weapon is located. It is important to calmly tell the officer where it is, but do not reach for it. Remaining calm and communicating clearly is the key to keeping the situation from escalating.
Calmly informing the officer that there is a legal firearm in the vehicle will avoid any unwanted surprises. It is natural to want to avoid the issue altogether, especially if you are confident that the officer is not going to search your vehicle. However, an officer will appreciate that you offer such information, so that he/she is fully aware of the situation. If the driver does not inform the officer and the officer locates the firearm, the officer is likely to become defensive in posture. This would cause the interaction with the officer to become intensified instead of calm. Discovering an unknown firearm during a stop may cause an officer to feel threatened, and dreadful things tend to happen when officers feel threatened.
Remember to stay calm, inform the officer of the gun, keep your hands where the officer can see them, never reach for the firearm, and stay calm. You can always give us a call: (727) 205-5555.
For a free legal consultation or case review, feel free to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Hendry & Parker, P.A.