ST. PAUL, Minn. - Authorities investigating the fatal shooting of Philando Castile will not say if he was a firearm permit holder, however, sources tell KARE 11 he indeed had a permit to carry which was issued through Hennepin County.
Castile was shot and killed by a St. Anthony police officer during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights on Wednesday night. Castile's girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, claims in a viral Facebook Live video that he informed the officer he was armed and had a permit to carry.
A police officer holding a gun on Castile says, "I told him not to reach for it!"
"You told him to get his ID, sir. His driver's license," Reynolds replied in the video.
Singer-songwriter Coffey Anderson posted a video on his Facebook page giving people tips on how to diffuse tension at a traffic stop. The video has had more than 6 million views since it was posted Thursday.
Authorities say a handgun was recovered from the scene of the fatal shooting of Castile.
In Minnesota, there is no legal requirement for gun permit holders to inform officers they are legally carrying a firearm, unless the officer asks. The law varies state to state. Click here to find out the law in your state.
So what should permit to carry holders do in a traffic stop?
"That’s the thing most people who get a permit to carry are most concerned about because they understand it can be dangerous situation if it's mishandled," said Joseph Olson of the Gun Civil Rights Alliance. "They want instructions on exactly what they should do."
Ken Wilkins, of Hastings, has been a certified firearm instructor since 2012. He says there is no uniform policy on what a permit to carry holder should do; it's strictly personal preference.
"What I teach is to have your license, registration and proof of insurance out and available with your hands on the steering wheel, wait for instructions, and then follow them to a T," Wilkins said.
"Put your hands on the wheel and wait for the officer," said Olson. "When the officer gets there you say, 'Hello officer. What are your instructions?' From that point on, it is the officer's responsibility to give your clear, understandable instructions."
Wilkins also teaches to never mention the word "gun."
"If you are asked, or if you offer the information to an officer, say 'Officer, I have a permit to carry and I'm in possession of a firearm. How would you like me to proceed? Never mention the word 'gun' because that just escalates the situation."
The executive director of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus and Political Action Committee calls the shooting death of Castile "tragic" and "a narrative that has occurred all too often across our state."
Bryan Strawser says the non-partisan caucus, which advocates for "firearm freedoms in Minnesota," supports the investigation being conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and joins with Governor Dayton in asking for an independent federal investigation.
“This tragedy may also offer an opportunity to take a hard look at police training and protocols related to interactions with armed citizens who are legally carrying a firearm," Strawser said. "Despite their portrayal by some, law-abiding permit holders are statistically among the safest populations in our state. With more than 221,000 Minnesotans holding a Permit to Carry, nearly 1 out of every 25 citizens encountered by police may legally be carrying a firearm.”