Police shooting of gun permit holder concerns others who legally carry

The death of 32-year-old Philando Castile appears to mark the first time a Minnesota permit-to-carry holder has been shot by police at least since the current permit law took effect in 2003.

And it raises concerns for some permit holders about their interactions with law enforcement.

Unless an officer asks, it is up to the individual whether they tell an officer they are carrying a gun, said Joseph Olson, who was the leading proponent of Minnesota’s permit-to-carry legislation that took effect in 2003. Olson has taught many permit-to-carry courses.


He said the advice he gives students on dealing with police is: Turn off the radio, roll down the window, turn on the interior lights if it’s nighttime, put your hands on the top of the steering wheel and follow the officer’s instructions.