As someone who owns a number of handguns, and have for over a decade at this point, I just felt like adding in my 2 cents on this issue. Tell me to get back in my lane if you like, but based on personal experience:
1) The FIRST thing you say to an officer (right after saying hello, sir, of course) is that you have a weapon in the vehicle. When doing so it helps put the officer at ease if your hands are visible to him when you say it. Don't hold up your hands in the air, I suggest putting them on the windowsill next to you. It also helps if you have already killed the ignition in the car. Biggest point here is to be upfront, non-confrontational, and agreeable about it. Putting the officer at ease makes the rest of the process easier.
2) The officer may direct you to either hand the weapon to them (unusual) or direct you out of the vehicle so they can retrieve the weapon themselves (typical). Follow all instructions to the T.
3) If you're carrying concealed without a permit, expect to be shoved up against something. Learned that one the hard way when I first got here.
4) Keeping calm is of absolute necessity when dealing with law enforcement while in the possession (concealed, open carry or otherwise..) of weapons. You WILL run into a rookie who gets excited and starts pushing buttons, at some point. Just swallow it and keep calm.
Just a few observations coming from someone who has encountered all of the above situations and resolved them with no fuss, and not one single misdemeanor to speak for it.
