Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.
There is no merit to the defendant's contention that the court should have suppressed physical evidence seized from the defendant's car. Since the police observed the defendant violating traffic regulations, the stop of the defendant's vehicle was valid (see, People v Ellis, 62 N.Y.2d 393; People v McFadden, 194 A.D.2d 567). After stopping the vehicle, it was not unreasonable for the police officer to approach the defendant's vehicle and to lean inside (see, People v Vasquez, 106 A.D.2d 327, affd 66 N.Y.2d 968, cert denied 475 U.S. 1109) aided with a flashlight (see, People v Spencer, 193 A.D.2d 90; People v Bute, 172 A.D.2d 550). He was justified in seizing a pistol when he observed its butt protruding from under the front seat (see, People v David L., 56 N.Y.2d 698, cert denied 459 U.S. 866; People v Ellis, 169 A.D.2d 838). Rosenblatt, J.P., Ritter, Copertino and Joy, JJ., concur.