OP, well after over 22 years as a street cop in 100,000 plus city in central Montana, I always thought there was a gun in every vehicle I stopped. It sounds to me like you were not too stressed out over the stop. This is a good thing because street cops are trained to pick up on certain signals that a driver with something to hide will make unknowingly. I too don't understand why he had you get out of the car. I did instruct one person to place the weapon on the car roof and then stay seated with his hands out the window. I also made it a habit to approach all vehicles from the passenger side. This works out well as most people still watch TV and expect the cop to approach the driver's window, not me. I guess in Montana if someone has a concealed weapon permit I don't get too concerned considering what it takes to get one here in Montana. I'm retired from the PD and I can say without any hesitation I never did arrest anyone with a concealed weapons permit for any violation that I am aware of. Hey they don't just give those things away. My advise to all is when stopped relax, turn on your dome light, and sit still with your hands on the wheel or out the window clearly visible and empty. I will also stress that "SIR" isn't the most common word a cop is addressed with and it was a nice change when I heard it. I tended to just write warnings for a headlight violation it was just too minor to take the time to write a cite. Now as the backup officer, well unless otherwise instructed my backups usually stayed in their cars in case things went south or there was a runner. I know so many people to harass and so little time in a 10 hour shift, but one does what one can. Be safe all just my thoughts from the Big Sky Country.