The idea behind a CC is that its concealed.
I would not just volunteer that I am carrying under normal circumstances.
If I were to be pulled over while carrying (actually never have yet), my past training has been to stay seat belted in, get my wallet with drivers license, CC permit, and registration out before the officer has approached the car, and then present the license and registration to the officer once he is alongside and asking for them. If I were to be asked if I am carrying or transporting any firearms, I would reply by saying yes, and that I am a CC holder. If he asks to see my permit, and its out already (not in my wallet in my back pocket) then would present it to him as required by law in my state. If anything he asked for, including my CC card, was in my back pocket or if he asked to see my firearm, I would put both hands slowly on the wheel, explain that I was carrying and do not want to reach in the direction of my firearm, and I will comply with very clear instructions on what he would like me to do next.
In the case of this shooting and your question, I can only speculate that the officers would want to get statements from everybody, then based on those statements, they would determine if possession of a CCW was relevant to the investigation.
Now days cops don’t like it when you do a lot of moving around when they approach your vehicle.
I highly recommend that everyone watch a few evenings of LivePD on A&E network. It is eye opening and a real insight into the current practice(s) of traffic stops.
You’ve been trained well!
And right, I think were on the same page, as I’m basically saying that the legal use of the firearm, in and of itself, does not mean that him needing a “CCW was relevant to the investigation” ...unless, of course, some witness told police that he had pulled the gun out his pocket, or something like that. But otherwise I don’t think they can require him to answer whether or not he has a CC permit simply because he lawfully discharged his weapon, unless they determine the weapon was likely being carried concealed that day.