Excaliber wrote:I don't have a good solution for keeping passengers from learning you're armed, but I can tell you for sure that it is a really bad ideato exit a vehicle during a traffic stop unless ordered to do so.smyrna wrote:I agree with Flint that some LEO tend to get nervous when you exit the vehicle.
It rings major alarm bells with officers because good guys usually don't, and bad guys often do. Both sides know it places the driver in position to initiate an effective attack much more quickly than when seated in the car. Many officers will respond by taking a position of cover and will use the PA to order you back inside your car before they will approach, and some will unholster or call for backup at this point. The extra adrenaline you put in the officer's system this way won't be at all helpful, and for sure it won't reduce your chances of getting a citation.
On the plus side, many officers aren't really interested in if or where you're carrying once they know you're legal to do so. The question often doesn't come up at all once they see the CHL.
Funny how things change. I understand the reason officers prefer you to remain in the vehicle...but 30 yrs. ago it was common practice for citizens to exit the vehicle...and indeed considered a sign of respect.
On the one hand an officer can see exactly what you are doing, on the other...it does allow for a quicker attack (if a person was so inclined).
Times and tactics change I guess.
