U.S. v. Robinson: Have Concealed Carriers Lost the 4th Amendment?
January 27, 2017
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So, this happened: the 4th Circuit released an en banc decision involving a traffic stop in which a concealed carrier passenger was frisked by police, and much of the gun owning community lost its mind in a manner reminiscent of Rachel Maddow.
The gist of much of the media coverage--particularly the coverage from the right--was the law abiding people who CCW have effectively been wholly stripped of their 4th Amendment rights. Is there no Constitutional safe space for these poor folks?
Given the histrionics, it's worth taking a look at the actual facts of the case (indeed, it's worth reading the entire decision, including the concurrence and dissent, so I've embedded that below).
Before I begin, however, I feel that I ought to provide some context. I, myself, routinely carry a concealed firearm for personal protection. You can read "routinely" to mean wherever and whenever lawful. I've been doing so for my entire adult life.