Proof that Philando Castile had a permit to carry from Hennepin County
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The family of Philando Castile has shared a copy of his permit to carry letter with Fox 9. The permit was issued by Hennepin County on June 4, 2015.
Philando Castile was shot and killed during a traffic stop on July 6. Castile's girlfriend, Diamond Reynold, started live-streaming on Facebook moments after the shooting. In the video, she says Castile had a permit to carry a firearm and informed the officer of his status.
"We got pulled over for a busted tail light in the back. And the police just – he's, he's covered. They killed my boyfriend. He's licensed – he's licensed to carry," Reynolds said. "He was trying to get out his ID and his wallet out of his pocket and he let the officer know that he had a firearm and he was reaching for his wallet. And the officer just shot him in his arm."
St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez was identified as the officer who shot Philando Castile. Officer Yanez has been placed on administrative leave.
IN-DEPTH: Minnesota's permit to carry law and how it applies to Philando Castile
There are 217,000 Minnesotans who have a permit to carry a firearm. Officially, it is called the Minnesota Personal Protection act, which was enacted in 2003. At its basic level, the law allows people to carry a pistol in public if they have a permit. That's why this law is called "permit to carry."
Minnesota's permit to carry law and how it applies to Philando Castile
Oftentimes, people will incorrectly call it the "conceal-carry law," and use the term interchangeably – but it is not. Minnesota's permit to carry law does not require citizens to conceal their pistol, although most people do.
To get a permit to carry a firearm, you have to be at least 21 years old and you have to have completed a firearms training course. The permit holder must carry that permit and a driver's license with him or her at all times when they're carrying that firearm -- and according to statute, "must display the permit and identification document upon the lawful demand of a peace officer."
The section of the statute that could apply to Castile's traffic stop states: "Upon request of a peace officer, a permit holder shall disclose to the officer whether or not the permit holder is currently carrying a firearm." There is nothing in the law that requires a person to voluntarily disclose to a peace officer that he has a permit or a firearm on him.
Timeline of Philando Castile shooting
JULY 6, 9 PM - Officer-involved shooting in Falcon Heights, Facebook video shows aftermath
TRANSCRIPT - What Diamond Reynolds and Officer Jeronimo Yanez said in Facebook video
JULY 7, 5:30 PM - Thousands gather outside St. Paul school to pay respect to Philando Castile
JULY 7 - Students remember Castile as 'Mr. Phil'
JULY 7, 10 AM - Governor: 'Justice will be served in Minnesota'
IN-DEPTH - Minnesota's permit to carry law and how it applies to Philando Castile
JULY 7, 9:50 PM - Police officers identified in fatal shooting of Philando Castile
JULY 8, 10:30 AM - Prosecutor considering grand jury in Philando Castile shooting
JULY 9, 8 PM - Protest shuts down Interstate 94 in St. Paul