When I was in law enforcement we were trained that, unless the officer has probable cause that he can articulate...the driver is not obligated to allow a search. That means any legal firearms in the vehicle are properly secured and ammunition is also secured separately from the firearms. If the driver has a firearm in plain view...legal or illegal...the officer has probable cause by the plain view doctrine to detain you and conduct a search of the interior of the vehicle within the driver's wingspan for anything illegal. Any contraband within the scope of that search is evidence and the driver can be arrested. Any further search of the vehicle such as the trunk or a locked briefcase...depending on the jurisdiction, state law and department protocols can be done as an inventory search incident to arrest or may require a search warrant.
But nothing legally stops an officer for simply asking you whether have any guns, drugs or other contraband. If you say no he has no right to go further without probable cause he can articulate. All cops are trained that permission gets you everything...and it's amazing how many give permission when asked and then get arrested when contraband is found. All it would have taken is to have refused permission for a search.
But nothing legally stops an officer for simply asking you whether have any guns, drugs or other contraband. If you say no he has no right to go further without probable cause he can articulate. All cops are trained that permission gets you everything...and it's amazing how many give permission when asked and then get arrested when contraband is found. All it would have taken is to have refused permission for a search.