Informing is a really good idea if you have to get out of the vehicle, if you are just sitting in your car getting a ticket/warning informing is your choice but still a good idea. We don't "disarm" unless we feel you are a threat on some level or being arrested. For general traffic stops its a non issue (here in SD anyways). EVERYONE has guns in their vehicles here, EVERYONE has a long gun in the back window.
When a person tells me they have a weapon on them or in the vehicle I just ask they leave it where it is and don't draw or remove it and ALWAYS thank them for telling me, I respect that. I have never had an issue yet. Most people just want you to know so it doesn't go badly if we see it on a belt or notice it during routine actions. Puts them at ease.
Just the way we are, laid back!
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