I was driving my wife's minivan that day to pick up my dad & his wife when they came to see us. My son riding shotgun, with my father and his wife in the first row of passenger seats. The rear seats were out, and we had a bit of luggage in there but most of the back was just open.
It was about 7pm and of course dark at this time of year. I had just made a left turn at a stoplight marked "no u-turn" and was just about to enter a shopping center parking lot to finish the U-turn to get to their hotel, which was maybe 1/4 mile back up the street we had just come down.
He lights me up right before the roundabout I was going to use to turn around. I guess he wanted me to pull into the other store parking lot, but I had just passed it while looking at him light me up, and I ended up taking the next driveway which immediately led BEHIND all the stores. Not nearly as nice of a spot for his safety but it was my earliest real opportunity.
I lowered my automatic window with one button push and otherwise kept my hands highly visible on the top of the wheel. I stopped and killed the ignition. My lights were still on. The cruiser highbeams turned on, and of course I got the spotlight right into the driver's side mirror plus the reflection from the other two. In short, we were all WELL ILLUMINATED.
As he approached, he followed proper procedure and was cautious & ready but friendly. He asked me for my license and proof of insurance, and I told him absolutely but I need to let you know I have my concealed carry license and I am currently armed.
He said calmly "Thank you for telling me." And then he asked "Where is it?"
I told him it was on my right hip 5 o'clock position IWB, and my wallet was on my left rear pocket. He said something like "Ok, sounds good" or something like it. What stood out is what he said next: "Don't go for yours and I won't go for mine" - all with a smile on his face.
I told him I would get my wallet out and my son would get the insurance out of the glove box. No one else moved, or talked to the officer or each other except my son to ask me which paper was the right one. Officer Kitchens stayed right where he could see all four of us, calm as can be.
Once I handed him my DL & paperwork, he said "I pulled you over because your center brake light is out, and I'll give you a warning for it."
He went to his car, back in about 2 minutes, with a printout for my warning.
He asked what kind of firearm I had, and I told him I carry my Beretta PX4 Storm. I forget exactly what he said at that point, but he was being interested as well as friendly and courteous. He thanked me, and said have a good night.
Now for the kicker...
In the middle of the cargo area between the two rear passengers was a very long, well constructed heavy black case with aluminum trim, two extra buckle fasteners and a combination lock each end across the front. You know, the exact type you'd check on an airplane. This one happened to have a Savage 308 nestled & cozy inside.
Officer Kitchens had to expect there was a strong likelihood we had at least one additional firearm in the car aside from my pistol. It certainly wasn't a tuba or a trombone, and it was shall we say way over-sized to be a clarinet case. I didn't declare it because it wasn't mine nor did I exert control over it. Nor was it loaded at the time.
BUT, there was a bag on the floor next to it that said "McBride's" on it and plainly visible to me looking into the passenger area inside it were multiple boxes of what was clearly rifle ammo.
Officer Kitchens gets points for:
- Being calm
- Understanding the scene in front of him
- Operating professionally under the circumstances
- Friendly while still fulfilling his obligation to protect himself
- Courteous at all times
Thank you Officer Kitchens. Score another one for the good guys.
Oh, and that darned little bugger of a light bulb is about to be fixed today, too.
