That has only happened to me once in a fast food line. I got the heck outta there. I was never captured by the police. But, a kid that I worked with in highschool got arrested while leaving the restaurant where we worked because a neighboring pet store got robbed. He had syringes on him, so the young cop assumed he was responsible. He got a huge tattoo on his forearm that read ‘Diabetic,’ later that week. I always thought that was a bad idea, but I understood why he did it.
I’ve thought about that. I carry a gun at all times (legally) and may, when we have no access to a sharps container, have a couple used syringes in my purse. Could very easily come across as a common criminal to the police. I’ve seen addicts on COPS claim to be diabetic when syringes are found. I bet it happens a lot.
One would assume the Police would ask to see your permit before they saw the handgun.
When I used to have one, and on the few occasions pulled over, I kept my hands on the wheel and immediately informed the Police Officer that I was legally carrying a handgun and let them proceed. Always went very smooth. Cops can get spooked just like anybody else. Anything that can be done to prevent a spooked Officer (especially when they are riding solo) ends as a good day.
At that point, I would assume syringes would quickly fall as a very low priority.
I have actually never been pulled over. I was taught to hand my drivers license and my carry license at the same time and keep my hands on the wheel. I’m not an intimidating looking person so hopefully that works.
I would think this outcome would be highly variable based on demographics (and there’s obviously video evidence out there to that effect)… same thing with people’s reactions to syringes, as well as people’s reactions to someone experiencing a hypo. A white person who seems at least middle class is likely to get the benefit of doubt that some minorities and people who read as very poor or in some way struggling are unlikely to.
I was detained twice by campus security because I was behaving strangely during a hypoglycemia episode. But that was in the 1970s when there was a lot of drug use among people in their early 20s and nearly everyone assumed that you were only diabetic if you were fat, and I was not. So I suffered from stereotyping in those situations, but not because of race.
I was taught both hands on the wheel at the “11 and 1” position. Wait for the Officer to provide instruction. Don’t be digging in the glove compartment or under your jacket when they get to the window. No need to rush.
As I suspected, this is only if you are active at the time of diagnosis.
If you are currently a diabetic, you will not be allowed to join…