As a reserve officer for a local police department, I do not have nearly the experience of the other LEO's on this forum -- but I do have plenty of experience regarding civilians carrying weapons both in the US and overseas -- I simply use caution and presence of mind -- it has worked well.

In Louisiana, carrying loaded weapons in vehicles is legal (anywhere, under the seat, console, glove box, side door pocket, between the seat and console, etc) and I and every other LEO I know of (state, parish, city) approaches a vehicle expecting that a gun may be present in the vehicle -- my patrol partner and I remain alert for the open presence of a weapon, and if they try to access a console or glove box (for example to find their registrtion or proof of insurance), we may ask if they have a gun in the area they are trying to access -- we have never had a problem. Unless we have PC, there is no reason to ask to examine a weapon or run a serial number.

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Gunner, Sabot Up!