Tips on how to act if you’re pulled over with a concealed weapon
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (WFLA) – 24-Hour News 8’s sister station, WFLA, is looking at traffic stop etiquette amid recent events involving police shooting. So how should you act if you are pulled over and legally have a concealed weapon?
In a recent deadly traffic stop, an officer in Falcon Heights, Minnesota shot a driver, creating a big controversy. The man’s girlfriend streamed the aftermath on Facebook live.
WFLA spoke with the St. Petersburg Police Department on how to react if you’re pulled over while carrying.
Officer Rick Shaw was a former undercover St. Pete policeman, so he has experienced both sides of being pulled over while carrying. In Florida, people do not have to disclose to law enforcement that they have a concealed weapon. However, Shaw explains it is a better idea to tell the officer immediately and to have your hands on the wheel when you do so.
For example, if you go to open your purse or glove box to retrieve your registration and the officer sees a gun, he or she may think you are reaching for it.
Shaw recognizes that tensions can run high on both sides when someone is pulled over. The officer has no idea what type of person he or she is approaching or what type of day they have experienced. And the officer may have had a really rough day.
Shaw adds when the officer asks for your registration and license, and if they are located in the same area as your firearm, do not reach for it. Instead, tell the officer they are located in the same area. At that point the officer will instruct you what to do.
Shaw said the officer may remove you from your vehicle and retrieve the firearm until they can verify it’s legal. Or they may instruct you differently.
The important thing is to keep your hands on the wheel and to not make any sudden reaching movements with your hands.
Another tip is to turn on your dome light so the officer can see clearly inside your vehicle.
Drivers are not required by law to react in the way Shaw is suggesting. These are simply suggestions to improve communication, so you and the officer have a safe interaction. The idea is to prevent any mistakes, misjudgments or unfortunate tragedies.