I've had several encounters with AST in the past few years. All have been due to AST checking my licenses/harvest tickets/duck stamps/etc while hunting/fishing. On most occasions, I've just calmly held my jacket open so the Trooper can plainly see my handgun on my hip as he walks up. All responses have been "Yep, I see it, just don't reach for it."
I figure they're more worried about the loaded .45/70, 12ga, .308, .260, or .30/06 in my hand than the handgun I'd have to draw from concealment.
I was pulled over by MILPOL once though. He saw me re-entering my lane after being in his momentarily to avoid killing a doe and her baby. The deer ran off and he never saw them, so he was pretty curious why I was in his lane... As soon as I was stopped, I put the truck in park and put my hands on the wheel at 10 & 2 with my palms open, facing me (and him). First words out of my mouth were
"I am carrying a concealed handgun on my left hip, left hip. What would you like me to do?" (Yes, I said left hip twice. My wallet is in my right back pocket and I want to make sure he don't forget where the gun is.) He answered with "Ok, no problem, just don't reach for it and we'll be okay."
It ended with a verbal warning.
I know that many people are scared of "big brother" knowing any little shred of info about you, your daily actions, what your favorite color is, and what-not... But let's be realistic here folks. It is not unreasonable for an officer's safety for them to know if you have a deadly weapon on or about your person. Offer that information freely, clearly, and without reservation at the beginning of your encounter with a LEO and set their minds at ease. If they know that you have a weapon and you freely offered that information to them, you're likely not a threat and they can probably treat you as such.
FWIW, I ask the master of the vessel as soon as I'm on-board if there are any weapons on-board. There always are and they always tell me the exact location. We secure the weapon(s) until the boarding is concluded and then return them, no harm, no foul. Officer safety: It's important to me, regardless of which of us is wearing the badge that day.
KSFreeman said:
My safety trumps officer safety all day long.
Despite your arrogance, I am compelled to inform you that any and all LEOs believe that the exact opposite is true. Unfortunately for others that share your opinion on the matter; the law of the land tends to favor the LEO in this debate.
again: I question whether folks who DELIBERATELY put themselves in a scenario where tensions can escalate should be carrying guns.