Today I got pulled over by the police, and I want to share what happened because it taught me an important lesson about safety and respect.
When the officer came up to my window, he told me my registration had expired back in June 2016. He asked for my license, registration and insurance. I kept my hands on the wheel and immediately said, “For your safety and mine, I need to let you know that I am legally carrying a firearm. I have a concealed carry permit, and my handgun is in the compartment under the cup holder with a round in the chamber and the safety on. There is also an extra magazine with it.”
The officer asked me to keep my hands where they were and then asked about the location of the gun. I explained again and offered to step out of the truck so he could retrieve it himself. He agreed and thanked me for being upfront.
When I stepped out, I even asked if he wanted to search me so he could feel safe knowing I had no other weapons. He said yes and then retrieved my firearm. He asked for permission to get my license and carry permit from my wallet, which I allowed. I even offered for him to search the truck if he needed, but he declined.
After everything checked out, he handed my firearm back. I told him to just place everything on the driver’s seat until we were finished. I thanked him for staying calm and professional, and he thanked me for my cooperation. I signed the warning ticket and he reminded me to take care of my registration soon.
Before leaving, I shook both officers’ hands, thanked them for their service and told them to stay safe, especially with everything happening in the world today. I told them that is the very reason I choose to carry.
In the end, I drove away with a simple warning, a lot of respect for those officers and a reminder that how you handle situations matters.
The lesson here is simple. Safety and respect go hand in hand. Treat others with respect, and more often than not, you will receive the same in return.
Thank you to the Altoona Police Department for being professional and keeping our city safe.