What is required for officers to have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity when someone is carrying a firearm?

To establish reasonable suspicion of criminal activity when an individual is carrying a firearm, officers must observe at least one additional fact or circumstance beyond the mere presence of the firearm. This additional piece of information, commonly referred to as a "plus factor," can include behaviors or contextual elements that suggest the individual's actions may be related to criminal activity. For instance, if an officer notices someone with a firearm behaving nervously in a high-crime area, that nervous behavior could serve as the "plus factor" that contributes to the reasonable suspicion.

The requirement for a "plus factor" is essential because the mere act of carrying a firearm is not inherently unlawful; therefore, additional observation is necessary to justify a stop or further investigation by law enforcement. This standard helps to balance the rights of individuals against the need for officers to take action in potentially dangerous situations.

Options that suggest requiring unrelated violations, a valid driver's license, or a prior criminal record do not adequately address the principle behind reasonable suspicion. The concept focuses on observable behavior and contextual factors rather than strictly looking for past incidents or legal documentation. Thus, the presence of a "plus factor" is a crucial concept in understanding how officers formulate reasonable suspicion in such scenarios.