imported post
I don't agree with the above post, but I respect the opinion. You are setting yourself up for an adversarial position, by refusing to say anything at all, and immediately pulling the lawyer/court card. But it is a free and open choice.
In Washington you have no obligation to inform LE.
I have been pulled over, and my usual routine is, License, Reg, insurance, CCW (IF I am carrying)
Usually you are asked are you armed, and depending on who the cop is, and their comfort level, you may or may not be asked to surrender it during the stop.
I have been on the other end of the stop as the officer making a stop, and I have had people who have not been honest with me about a weapon, whether knife or gun.
And i'll tell you that when I discover it after asking about weapons, and being told "no" It's gonna P.O. me something fierce. Cause now i'm thinking what are you hiding, why weren't you straight with me, and i become concerned about my safety.
If you lie, you are gonna get the book thrown at you. Although you have a right to be armed, Police have a right to feel as safe as possible in the commission of their duties. They deal with the scum of the earth many times, and although you may be an upstanding person, if you aren't honest, they are gonna lump you in the first catagory.
Respect, and openness goes a LONG ways both towards cooperation, and to NOT getting a ticket.
The only times I have been disarmed by LE was when there were extenuating circumstances (Non traffic related). Dog attack on me... drunken fight that I was witness too, (Too many unknown persons) I have never been disarmed at a traffic stop, when I was open about carrying I was asked once, and replied "I am not comfortable with that, this is a busy hwy, and I am not comfortable getting out of the vehicle with traffic, and with you removing the weapon from me, I will be more then happy to leave my hands in plain sight during this stop." I was not disarmed, and I was told to not worry about it, and be comfortable, and thanked for being honest, didn't get a ticket either. Although I did deserve one.
Most often, if you are respectful "Yes sir, No sir" And don't make um uncomfortable, they won't bother with disarming you.
And for god sakes, if you keep your gun in the glove box with you reg, and insurance, NOTIFY the officer that the gun is in their, BEFORE you try and retrieve it.