What should you do if a police officer pulls you over while you’re driving, or stops you while you’re peacefully protesting?
Well, an armed Pennsylvania man’s Facebook post about his actions during a traffic stop is going viral. In fact, it’s gaining attention for what many are calling positive reasons.
When Matt Powers got pulled over near Altoona, Pennsylvania, he had no clue what he did wrong. However, when the police officer approached and made a simple request, Matt ignored what he asked and said one chilling word that immediately put them both on edge.
Matt was driving down the road when he unexpectedly got pulled over by an Altoona police officer. Unbeknownst to the officer, Matt had something inside his car that made him uneasy when the officer approached and asked him for his driver’s license, registration, and insurance card. However, he ignored the officer’s request and instead informed him that he couldn’t comply because his handgun was where the papers were.
Thankfully, the cop was understanding of Matt’s love for the second amendment, and the situation did not go as poorly as he feared it might.
Here’s what Matt wrote in a now-viral post:
“He approached the driver’s side and asked if I knew why he stopped me, and I said I did not. He said my registration expired…He asked to see my driver’s license, registration, and insurance card. As I kept my hands firmly locked at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel, I immediately started…..
“For your safety and mine, sir, I would like to inform you that I am a legally armed citizen. I have a concealed carry permit in my wallet. I don’t want to get my registration and insurance card because I have my pistol in the same compartment as my documents. The pistol is in the small compartment under the cup holder. Please be careful. There is a round in the chamber, the thumb safety is on, and there’s an extra magazine with it.’
“He asked that I keep my hands on the wheel like they were and asked again where my handgun was. He asked where my wallet was with my permit card. I answered and then said…..
“’ I would like you to take possession of the handgun. I’ll get out of the truck if you want me to while you get it.’ He told me that would be great and thanked me for my cooperation.
“When I got out of the truck, he wouldn’t turn his back to me. I asked if he would like to search me for any other weapons, so he knew I wasn’t a threat. He said…
“’ If you don’t mind, that would be great. Do you have any other firearms or weapons on you or in the truck?’ I replied that I did not.
“The police officer searched me and retrieved my handgun from the compartment with my documents and asked permission to retrieve my driver’s license and a conceal-carry permit from my wallet. I gladly gave him permission to get what he needed. I also gave him permission to search the rest of my truck if he wanted to if he felt it necessary. The officer declined the consent I gave him to search.
“After all the formalities, the cop brought my pistol back to me, and I said, ‘If you want, you can just lay everything on the driver’s seat, and I’ll get it when we’re done.’”
“I thanked him for being as calm as he was especially dealing with someone that had a handgun that was legally carried. The cop thanked me for my cooperation. He asked me to sign the warning ticket and to make sure to get my registration taken care of ASAP.
“I thanked him and the backup officer for their service and told them to be safe, especially nowadays with all the crazy shit that was going on. I told them that was the reason I carry a handgun myself. I shook both of their hands. He handed me my warning, and I went on my way.
“After the cold-blooded terrorist attack and hate crime in #Dallas and that day learning about #BatonRouge where the blood spilled still fresh in the minds of every American, I chose to do what I thought was right.”
Respect and honesty can go a long way. If you are a concealed carry permit carrier, it’s important to act responsibly with your weapon – which includes encounters with the police.
Source: AWM
