driving firearms
During a traffic stop, should you disclose that you are carrying a licensed firearm without being asked for it?
<p>Consider a routine traffic stop and assume the driver or the passenger has a firearm, legally obtained, and legally concealed.</p>

<p>Is there any obligation to reveal that they are carrying that firearm?</p>

<p>Also, should one disclose it of your own accord when you are in the following dilemma: </p>

<ul>
<li>You have it on your person or nearby where instead of surprising the officer during the routine stop, you'd rather honestly disclose it</li>
</ul>

<p>The disclosure is a double edged sword, if you do it may make the officer anxious, nervousness and trigger active. </p>

<p>On the other hand, if you don't and during the course of interaction some aspect having a firearm comes to light. </p>

<p>In <a href="http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c031.php" rel="noreferrer">South Carolina</a> for example the law says</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>A permit holder must have his permit identification card in his
  possession whenever he carries a concealable weapon. When carrying a
  concealable weapon pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23, a
  permit holder must inform a law enforcement officer of the fact that
  he is a permit holder and present the permit identification card when
  an officer:</p>
  
  <p>(1) identifies himself as a law enforcement officer; and</p>
  
  <p>(2) requests identification or a driver’s license from a permit
  holder.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>In <a href="http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.050" rel="noreferrer">Washington</a>, on the other hand, the law simply requires a permit (or the gun must be locked in the trunk), and you have no obilgation to volunteer such information. Some states allow local options, e.g. NY generally has no duty to inform law but apparently Buffalo, Rochester and NYC do. It's pretty complex, because there is variation in exactly what laws say depending on whether the gun is loaded, or whether it is concealed, or in the trunk.</p>
