I agree. Never tell anyone you have a weapon.
In Washington state, the vehicle registration is flagged so when an officer runs your plate before the stop, he knows you’re licensed to carry. It’s advisable to keep your hands in sight and ask permission to get in the console, etc. They usually ask if there’s a firearm in the car and where it is. They’re more attentive, but I’ve never been patted down or taken out of the car, but in my state, CCW’s are almost as common as drivers’ licenses.
I recently made a lengthy weekend trip several hundred miles from home. The night before leaving, I knocked the front license plate holder off my car on a parking barricade. I knew when it happened, retrieved it, and placed it on the rear seat. No time to replace it before leaving the next morning. Idaho requires license plates front and back.
A couple days later, on my way home, I was passing through a small town and a ISP officer noticed my plate missing. He stopped me, and we had a good chat on the road side. I told him what happened, he told me to fix it. I said I would. He then ran my drivers license, registration and insurance through his on-board computer. Everything ok. No citation. Just before we parted company he asked if I had any weapons in the car.
"No, sir, I don't have."
"Thank you, have a good trip home."
I have a CCW card. I often do have a weapon with me. I got to wondering how the encounter would have ended had I answered that I did have one with me.
It continued to bother me and I ended up writing to the ISP Region One commander. He contacted the officer who confirmed my story of a good, friendly stop. The officer told him that when he checked my license he was also informed of the CCW permit. It was only then, near the end of the conversation, that he knew to ask.
Moral of the story is. When they check your license, they will know that you have a permit and may be carrying.
Let that knowledge inform you in your interaction with the officer, should it ever be necessary. You may not be required to volunteer the information, but, answer truthfully if they ask.