I would like to expound my thoughts from my previous post in this thread only to invoke additional thought regarding this issue. As I mentioned above, during one particular traffic stop, I was disarmed by a Virginia State Trooper with very poor gun-handling skills. The nature of the traffic stop was an expired, annual safety inspection sticker; expired by less than 2 weeks. I was neither speeding nor doing anything that might endanger others on the interstate. FWIW, I was dressed in a suit and driving a nice, company-owned sedan. I previously mentioned that when I recall this encounter, I still cringe at the thought of what did and what might have happened. Here’s why:
The trooper approached my window and explained why he stopped me. Initially, he was courteous and respectful. I reflexively offered my DL, registration, and permit WITHOUT mentioning the words “permit, firearm, gun” or anything else which may have been perceived as threatening. I merely handed him all documents. He asked if my gun was in my car. I confirmed it was, and he asked its location. I informed him it was on my hip. He immediately asked me to slowly hand it to him. I did so without a word and with the muzzle pointed away from the both of us. He carried my firearm with him back to his cruiser to presumably run a check on me and a “stolen check” on my firearm. He returned to my vehicle and while standing at my side view mirror, nearly directly in front of me, he attempted to hand over my firearm grip first with the muzzle pointed directly at his abdomen. I had to ask him to turn the muzzle away his abdomen before I would retrieve my firearm. Mind you, 90% of the time I carry a semi-auto and 100% of those times a round is chambered, and that was the condition in which it was returned to me. Once I retrieved and holstered my firearm, I was berated for being armed and subjected to a barrage of very condescending questions. Here’s what I find most distressing:
A. In hindsight of his poor handling skills, suppose this trooper would have managed to shoot himself with MY firearm while seated in his cruiser. Imagine he inflicts upon himself a fatal wound, and I’m the only one left to tell the story coupled with potentially shoddy forensics. I’ll let you ponder my dismal future from there.
B. Suppose once he returned to my vehicle and proceeded to hand over my weapon, he manages to negligently discharge MY firearm into his own abdomen while standing in front of me. Again, the potential for me to be the only survivor of the incident is very real. Will the authorities believe my story? Will forensics and possible witnesses passing by at 75 mph clear my name?
Why LEOs feel the need to disarm a non-threatening, legally armed citizen is beyond me. The unnecessary handling, and often mishandling, of weapons during traffic stops invites disaster for all involved. All involved are much safer if the firearms are left holstered, untouched and business is conducted as usual. As legally armed citizens, please give serious thought as to why you feel it is necessary to volunteer such information when not required by law to do so. Do the benefits of doing so outweigh the risks? Will every LEO disarm you if you volunteer the information? No, but why invite unnecessary disarmament and potentially catastrophic legal issues upon ourselves?
In closing, I’d like to say that I am a pro-law enforcement person. I have a deputy sheriff for a brother. I spent years employed as a paramedic during which time I enjoyed great relationships with many LEOs. In no way, are my words above meant to malign or disparage LEOs. I just want ALL of us to go about our daily lives in the safest manner possible and with the least amount of hassles.
both my DL and carry permit, and let the chips fall where they may.And as Kurt Vonnegut used to say.......HI HO !!!