if someone was intending on shooting a cop, he would first *tell* the cop that he had a permit and a gun. If you're going to shoot somebody wouldn't you NOT tell them you had a gun?

that I do not believe was emphasized at trial. To me it is a strong indication of cooperation, not danger.

Under Minnesota law, a person is not required to inform an officer they are carrying unless specifically asked. Mr. Castile went an extra step and volunteered the information.

warned because he didn't tell the officer when stopped for a traffic violation that he had a CCW permit.

what I drive most often is registered in my wife's name. I keep my DL, insurance card and CCW right next to each other and hand all three to an officer

put both hands on the wheel. I told the office I had a CCW permit but didn't have a weapon with me, he said thanks for letting me know.
Then he proceeded in giving me a $139 ticket.

I live in a corrupt-issue state, but to expound on your point I'd keep both hands on the upper portion of the steering wheel until the officer initiated dialog on the permit -- then followed all instructions to the letter.

Not saying that the cop's action was justified, but if Castile had used a little sense he'd be alive today.

Here in Nevada, you have a duty to produce your CCW permit if you are carrying a weapon and teh officer asks you for it. You are not required to volunteer the information.

Having said that, if I ever do get pulled over while carrying, I will hand the LEO my permit with the license and insurance info, and inform him/her that a) I have a weapon in the car and b) where it is, all while keeping my hands on teh steering wheel (at 10 and 2, of course!)

Last edited Sat Jun 17, 2017, 09:58 PM - Edit history (1)

Castille isn't the first case of cops going ape shit after a black person advises them of a concealed weapon. Years ago when I got my conceal carry permit in Oregon, the white "safety trainer" told people they should advise cops as a "courtesy" to the officer. I didn't bother telling him he lived on a different planet than black people in the U.S.

When people ask me about dealing with killer cops, I give them the same mantra that cops use: I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Castile is dead because he gave the officer a courtesy. I've decided to live.

The most critical point relating to this case revolves around the clarity of instructions that Castile received from the cop. It's hard for me to believe that a cop -- informed by a driver that he was armed -- would not instruct the driver to keep his hands on the drivers wheel......or otherwise in plain sight. I recall reading that the officer made a request of this sort.

This said, if the driver failed to follow the instruction the cop would be justified in *presenting* his sidearm while barking the instruction again. From recollection of the video, it's unclear to me what the officer was seeing -- so I feel I need to suspend judgement.

Like the Sandy Hook tragedy*, the failure of the media to hone in on the most salient details of this story is migraine-inducing.

* Re. Sandy Hook: I don't recall any media outlet pointing out that Lanza's mother could have prevented the tragedy by keeping the firearms locked away, with her son unaware of the safe combination. Same for commentary on DU and other social media. Insanity.

The first is a description of a traffic stop by a Black man while carrying. The second is an instruction vid featuring a woman carrying.

https://www.facebook.com/stevenhildrethjr/posts/1010278339022221:0

For myself I don't want to give any reason to bog me down in a traffic stop or check.