Interactions with Law Enforcement Session 1: Introduction

If you carry a firearm responsibly, you're probably worried about what to do, if you have to interact with law enforcement while you're carrying that firearm. Whether you've used the firearm to defend yourself or not, you may find yourself in a situation where law enforcement wants to interact with you because of something you've done wrong. Because of something you've seen someone else do or for any other number of reasons. And if you're carrying a firearm and that law enforcement officer doesn't know it but then suddenly sees it, they may become concerned that you were trying to hide the firearm. That you're carrying the firearm illegally or that you potentially pose a threat to them or someone else in the public space.

We've seen some real tragedies across the country with people who were carrying legally and escalated situations because they weren't cooperating with police officers. Or because they failed to inform the police officer that they meant no harm to anyone. And they were simply prepared to defend themselves or others, in a worst case scenario. This class will help you be prepared for those interactions with law enforcement and how to deal with police officers as politely and as cooperatively as possible, to avoid escalating the situation. To avoid taking something in a direction that doesn't need to go.

To avoid, of course, getting hurt, getting someone else hurt or being arrested when you don't need to be, when you're carrying legally. The first thing we're gonna talk about, is what carrying legally means. Of course, in some States, you don't need a permit to carry. In other States you do. In some places it's legal to carry a firearm openly.

Maybe only a rifle or maybe a handgun or a rifle. In some States, you do have to get a permit. And in some States you even have a duty to inform a police officer, if you're carrying a gun on a permit, in the public space or in your vehicle. You may have police officers come to your home. And if you're carrying a firearm, or if you have firearms openly displayed in your home, you may wanna be prepared for the fact that when that police officer finds out that you're carrying a gun or sees the gun, they may have concerns about their safety, regardless of the reason for their interaction or for the reason that they're entering your home.

Being prepared for these interactions is your responsibility. If you're going to carry a gun, it means you're already planning on taking care of yourself. It means you're aware that there are dangers in the world and that there are things that you might need to use that firearm to protect you or those you care about from. One of those things, is a misunderstanding with law enforcement. Think about it.

You carry a gun underneath the shirt, maybe in your purse inside of a holster, you keep a gun staged in your vehicle and your workplace or in your home, just in case evil comes to you. You do everything you can to avoid it but you're aware that it could happen. Police officers really do exactly the opposite. They put a firearm on and then they go looking for the evil. They're called to the site of violence.

They're called to areas where they have to investigate potential acts of violence or potential dangers to other people. Every minute that they're on the job, that badge, that uniform makes them a target. When they show up on scene, they have no idea who the threat is. They have no idea if anyone they're interacting with has something to hide, something to worry about or poses a threat to them or others in the public space. Taking a moment to think about that.

Take a moment to think about what that means. They can't avoid the danger. And in fact, they have to go into harm's way quite often. If you're in a position to help them know that they're safe. To let them know that you don't pose a threat.

If you can make sure that your words and your actions make it very clear to them, that while you may be armed and potentially dangerous, you absolutely are no threat to them or anyone else in the public space. Your life is gonna be a lot easier and we're gonna make things a lot easier for everyone who's carrying a firearm responsibly, as law enforcement interacts with more and more of us in a positive, professional way.