A rural Bowling Green man has been charged with improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle.
On Wednesday around 10 p.m., Bowling Green Police Division pulled over a pickup truck driven by Matthew Rankin, 44, for driving with only one headlight.
Rankin reportedly told the officer he had a loaded firearm in his truck. According to the police report, he pointed toward the center console, then reached toward a small cubby hole underneath the radio, touching the handle of the gun.
Police reportedly advised Rankin to not touch the firearm and exit the vehicle.
Rankin reportedly told police he did not have a concealed carry weapon permit, but thought it wasn’t necessary since he was open carrying the firearm.
Police told Rankin that because he does not have a CCW permit, he cannot operate a motor vehicle with a firearm that is accessible within the passenger compartment. The firearm, which had one round in the chamber and 14 rounds in the magazine, with the thumb safety on, was seized by police.
