Should you have to tell a police officer you're carrying a gun?

[Meiko]

72. Here in

Arizona you are required to present your CCW when the officer asks you for ID. I look at it this way. Given the attitude of our police officers today I don't want any misunderstandings. I don't want to get shot because some Steven Segal type overreacted at a traffic stop and shot me because he suddenly perceived a threat. The best way to avoid confrontations with police is to avoid misunderstandings or do something they see as a threat.

In my interactions with Arizona cops I have always informed them I was carrying a weapon and I would have done so even if it wasn't the law. I am concerned about the officers safety and more importantly I am concerned about mine. He can get to his gun faster than I can get to mine. The cops reactions have varied from "whatever" to "keep your hands in plain sight" I have never been asked to surrender my weapon.

Should it be a law that you must inform cops that you have a gun? I would defer that back to the individual states to decide but personally I would say no, it shouldn't be a law. Of course there is always this scenerio..Joe Schmo is walking down the street in shorts with a fanny pack,his gun is in the pack, his ID is also in the fanny pack. The cop stop him and ask him for ID, what does he do?

Now you all can do whatever you want but I am going to tell the officer about the gun before my hands go anywhere near that fanny pack.