Originally Posted by raven818

Dweaver has got it right. Officer spots a weapon, he automatically goes into a defensive posture. More officers are killed during traffic stops than any other circumstance. The difference between rights and common sense doesn't enter into the picture.

I have a heavy foot and tend to get stopped occasionally. The FIRST thing I do after pulling over, is place both hands out of the window and announce I AM ARMED.

Rights or not, in today's world ( and yesterdays ), an unknown stranger with a weapon is an immediate threat to an officer until proven differently.

Who would you like to see fighting for your rights in a lawsuit, you or your widow, or anybody else besides you?