Pretty much the same issue. Sometimes cops arrest people for violation of 18.2-308 because the firearm was not visible to the cop as the cop first approached the vehicle. Of course, if the driver had picked it up and waved it around so the cop could see it, he would be charged with brandishing. Point is, the cops are using bogs arrests in order to provide a pretext for seizing the guns.
So, here's what I regard as a mission-critical point: it is not necessary to talk to cops; it is not a social visit, and what you've learned about being polite is irrelevant. Also, what they taught you in elementary school, that "the policeman is your friend", is also hogwash. The cop's job and sole duty is to the state, and if you have any respect for them at all, you will expect them to do their job, which may be contrary to your interests. So don't talk to them, don't engage in conversation, and don't collapse and start blathering just because they appear to get angry or threaten you with arrest.
It is illegal knowingly to make false statements of material fact to a cop. You can't lie to them. But keep in mind that this is a subjective test, much like perjury. So when Bill Clinton said, "I did not have sex with that woman.", he really believed that this statement was truthful, since all he'd had from her was an occasional incident of "orally induced gratification". Since that was not "sex" in his mind, he wasn't guilty of perjury.
So what do you do, when the cop says, "Is there a weapon or anything else I should know about in the car?" You could just sit there and stare at him, but I don't recommend that as too confrontational. Instead, ask him whether you're free to leave. Don't answer any of his questions, and keep repeating yours, "Am I free to leave, or am I under arrest?" If he won't let you leave unless and until you answer his questions, you could say, "If you intend to interrogate me, I want my lawyer. And I want to know why I have been arrested." If he says, "You're not under arrest.", then say, "Thank you, good-bye." and get ready to drive off. If he says, "You can't go yet, I'm not through.", then repeat, "I want to know why I am under arrest. Either I am under arrest or I am free to leave, and I want you to tell me which it is." Go on and on with that but don't answer any of his questions, particularly the one about weapons. If he says he's going to keep you there until he can get a search warrant, then prepare to wait. Call his bluff. Then file suit for false arrest, false imprisonment, and whatever else you've got on him.
