Politics & Government
Supreme Court Declines To Take West Virginia Gun-Frisking Case
A lower court said officers can frisk a vehicle occupant if the traffic stop was legal and police think someone in the car is armed.
WASHINGTON, DC — An appeals court ruling that found police can frisk a person if they believe that person has a weapon was left in place by the U.S. Supreme Court. The court Monday declined to take the West Virginia case, in which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit concluded that officers who make a lawful traffic stop and have a reasonable suspicion that someone in the vehicle is armed can frisk that individual for the officer's protection and the safety of everyone on the scene.
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey — joined by attorneys general for Indiana, Michigan, Texas and Utah — had asked the court to hear the case.
Innocent gun owners have the right to carry weapons "without the fear of being unreasonably searched," Morrisey said.
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