Steven Hildreth Jr documented his recent traffic stop. The police pulled him over. He knew he had a busted headlight. He’s a back man, wearing a hoodie. A concealed carry permit holder carrying a firearm. Let’s begin with the end of this story.
I’m a black man wearing a hoodie and strapped. According to certain social movements, I shouldn’t be alive right now because the police are allegedly out to kill minorities.
Maybe…just maybe…that notion is bunk.
Viral Hatch.com has the whole story but here’s an excerpt of Steven’s update from their report.
So, I’m driving to my office to turn in my weekly paperwork. A headlight is out. I see a Tucson Police Department squad vehicle turn around and follow me. I’m already preparing for the stop.
The lights go on and I pull over. The officer asks me how I’m doing, and then asks if I have any weapons.
“Yes, sir. I’m a concealed carry permit holder and my weapon is located on my right hip. My wallet is in my back-right pocket.”
The officer explains for his safety and mine, he needs to disarm me for the stop. I understand, and I unlock the vehicle. I explain that I’m running a 7TS ALS holster but from the angle, the second officer can’t unholster it. Lead officer asks me to step out, and I do so slowly. Officer relieves me of my Glock and compliments the X300U I’m running on it.
You can read it all at the link, but the point is clear. There’s always going to be bad apples. But most of the time it’s the other way around.
Maybe if you treat police officers with respect, they will do the same to you.
Police officers are people, too. By far and large, most are good people and they’re not out to get you.
And we don’t hear enough about that.
Note: New Hampshire Law does not to my knowledge require you to notify an officer during a stop if you are armed. Please let me know if that’s not the case. Thanks.
