State v. Prigge

A person is “carry[ing] a pistol on or about the person’s clothes or person” for purposes of Minn. Stat. 624.7142(1)(4) when that person is driving a vehicle with a handgun in the center console.During an inventory search of Defendant’s vehicle after his arrest on suspension of driving while under the influence of alcohol, police discovered a loaded handgun in the center console. Defendant was charged with carrying a pistol on or about his clothes or person while under the influence of alcohol, in violation of section 624.7142(1)(4). The district court dismissed the charge for lack of probable cause, concluding that the phrase “carrying on or about the person’s clothes or person” does not extend to a pistol within the closed center console. The court of appeals affirmed. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that a pistol is carried “on or about” one’s person or clothing if there is either a physical nexus between the person and the pistol or if the pistol is carried within arm’s reach of the person. View "State v. Prigge" on Justia Law