Simple things are important when you are carrying a concealed weapon.  As a law abiding citizen, you may be stopped by the police at some point while you are carrying.  You will definitely have police contact if you are involved in a shooting. Your interactions with law enforcement should be friendly and polite.  It is important to look at the situation from the officer's perspective.  Anyone a law enforcement officer (LEO) deals with can potentially be armed.  LEOs deal with criminals on a regular basis.  The vast majority of the time, the officers do not know you personally.  Officer safety dictates that they do not just take your word for it that you are a "good person". 

Here are a few tips to prevent you from accidentally creating a bad situation for you and the LEO that you may encounter:

-If you are carrying your firearm in a holster on your hip, carry your wallet on the opposite side of your firearm.  You don't want to be mistakenly shot because the officer thought you were reaching your firearm when you were reaching for your wallet.

-If you are stopped while walking down the street:

1. DON’T REACH FOR YOUR FIREARM!
2. Keep your hands in plain view.
3. Tell the officer you are a concealed carry permit holder.
4. Move slowly and deliberately.
5. Follow all instructions by the officer!!!
6. If you think your rights are being violated, deal with it AFTER the encounter. 

-If you are stopped in your vehicle:

1. DON’T REACH FOR YOUR FIREARM!
2. Keep hands on the steering wheel.
3. Avoid reaching around in the vehicle.
4. Turn on the dome light.
5. Tell the officer you are a concealed carry permit holder.
6. Stay in the vehicle, unless told otherwise
7. Follow all instructions!!!
8. If you think your rights are being violated, deal with it AFTER the encounter.

-If you are involved in a shooting:

1. Holster your weapon when the threat no longer exists.  If it is necessary to keep your firearm out, maintain a Low Ready or Position Sul, so your firearm is not pointed at anyone.
2. If there are any innocent victims and it is safe to do so, attempt to render aide.
3. Make no sudden movements.
4. Follow all the instructions by the responding LEOs.
5. Expect to be ordered to the ground, handcuffed, searched, and have your firearm taken as evidence.  Remember, responding LEOs do not know the situation that led up the shooting.  All they know is that there has been a shooting, and they are responding to the situation.
6. Expect that an investigation into the shooting will occur and you will be questioned.

REMEMBER: The ability to keep and bear arms is a natural right guaranteed by the US Constitution and our State Constitutions.  As citizens, who choose to exercise that right, we accept the responsibility to act appropriately.  BE RESPONSIBLE!