What some are forgetting, or do not know, or are simply ignoring is what is not known by either the person carrying for self defense or by the law enforcement officer making contact with them.
Now, the person carrying, you, do know you are law abiding.
You know that at no time in the past have you committed a crime.
You know that at the moment of the encounter, other than the possible reason for the encounter, you are not violating any law nor committing a crime.
You know that you do not plan on committing a crime in the future.
You know that you have a legally owned and carried firearm in your possession.
You know that firearm was purchased new from an FFL.
You know that by design and manufacture, the firearm is a legal handgun.
You know you have no intention of touching, nor will you touch that firearm during the encounter.
Tell me, how much of that information does the law enforcement officer know at the moment of contact with you?
At the moment of contact, what do you know about the circumstances that lead to the law enforcement officer's encounter with you?
I knew ________________________________________.
I knew ________________________________________.
I knew ________________________________________.
I knew ________________________________________.
I knew ________________________________________.
I knew ...
Please feel free to fill in the blanks.
Now, what influences the law enforcement officer's dealings with you?
Of course, Constitutional restrictions and related Court cases should be first - no argument, and they influence both parties behavior.
Well, there are all of those facts unknown to you that are in those blank lines above, as well as your actions and reactions to the officer, the words you say and don't say, your body english, physiological reactions - all put together it is the picture you present to the officer, consciously and sub-consciously.
And some can present a very calm and respectful picture. Some cannot. Absent information from you, it will be that first impression the officer has to work with.
To answer the question, yes, both calm people and not calm people can be and have been very, very dangerous.
"Well," some will say, "just assume I am the harmless one."
I remind all about the word ASSume...