Officers wary following concealed weapons law change

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Because it is now legal for most adults to stow a concealed weapon in a vehicle, Missouri law enforcement officials say there will be a heightened sense of awareness among officers when conducting traffic stops.

Although officer safety is an increased concern, law enforcement agencies generally aren't planning drastic changes in procedures.

Capt. Chris Ricks, a spokesman for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said troopers have always approached vehicles with the assumption that the occupants may be armed. Even before the state's new concealed weapons law took effect last week, a motorist could legally possess a firearm so long as it was in plain view.

"A person could always drive down the road with a loaded .44 Magnum on the dashboard," Ricks said. "Now they can hide that weapon."

Legal requirementsThe law requires those age 23 and older to pass a training course and a criminal background check in order to get a state permit to carry a concealed weapon. However, anyone at least 21 years old may conceal a weapon in a vehicle without a permit.

When initiating traffic stops, troopers are asking drivers if they have a weapon, Ricks said.

"Our advice to motorists who have a concealed weapon in their vehicle is to tell the officer they have it and to keep their hands on the steering wheel," Ricks said.

Sgt. Rick Schmidt, a Cape Girardeau police spokesman, said no changes in procedures are immediately planned but some refinements could be forthcoming.

"We are still trying to grasp the law in its entirety," Schmidt said.

There has been some speculation that police could take more aggressive steps to ensure their safety, such as searching vehicles for weapons or restraining vehicle occupants until an identified firearm can be secured.

Dexter police chief Paul Haubold said asking motorists to step out of the vehicle is probably sufficient.

"I see no need to pull them out of the car and put them in handcuffs," Haubold said. "That's asking for litigation."

Because permit holders will have a concealed weapon endorsement on their drivers' licenses, Haubold said that will provide officers with some measure of notice that a person may be armed.

To further inform officers, since someone with a legally concealed weapon in his vehicle doesn't need a permit, Haubold would like to see gun and vehicle registration records linked. That way an officer could run a check on the license plate number and be notified whether the owner also has a registered firearm.

Using their own judgment

Missouri Police Chiefs Association executive director Sheldon Lineback said officers have always used their own judgment, within the boundaries of the law and their department's policies, concerning techniques for executing traffic stops.

Even when weapons aren't an issue, some officers routinely place drivers in their squad cars while they issue a ticket and others don't, Lineback said. With the heightened hazard, however, he expects more officers will separate occupants from a vehicle if a weapon has been identified.

"It is going to be at the officer's discretion to make sure they have a tactically sound and safe motor vehicle stop," Lineback said.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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