That's interesting. I'm asked that question almost every single stop. It may have to do with me making an obvious effort to keep my hands on top of the wheel and the fact that I ask for permission before I reach into the glove box or for my wallet.jmra wrote: In 35 years of driving I've never been asked that question. I think my response as a passenger (if I heard the police officer ask that question and the driver responded "no") would be to state that I had a CHL and was armed. This may not be a legal requirement but it might prevent things from going south during the course of the stop. I'm sure the last thing an officer wants to discover is the presence of a gun when he was told there wasn't one.
It is an interesting situation as a passenger - if the officer asks the driver. If the driver is aware, I'd certainly encourage him/her to answer honestly. Answering too honestly - such as "Not that I know of" - I tried that once when driving a friends car - didn't work out too well.
Generally LEOs are nice guys doing a dangerous job, IMHO. Staying in front of them on the honesty side is probably a good policy.
I'd say if you're a passenger and the officer has no interest in you, I'd be quiet until I was asked to do something that might expose your situation.