Gun laws vary from state to state
I live in AZ, and sometimes carry a gun especially if I am carrying a lot of cash, like when going to buy a used car from a private seller. There is always a loaded Glock 9mm in my 4Runner's glove box.
In Arizona it is aggravated assault to flash a weapon to someone in an intimidating manner, you don't even have to point it at them necessarily. There is a bill in the state legislature to take that law away with the idea that, if you can show someone a gun, it may be enough to diffuse a situation, so making that legal, might reduce violent crimes. I'm not taking sides on that debate, just reporting it.
No idea about other states laws on pointing a gun at someone.
As for people carrying guns, again it varies by state. In Arizona assume 25% of the cars have loaded guns in them. Most people I know are not in law enforcement (i.e. they are software developers) but a lot of them do have concealed carry permits. Also, in Arizona if you carry a gun exposed in a holster, you don't need any type of permit. You only need a permit if you wish to carry concealed. A gun in a glove box or center console of your car as long as it is in a holster is not considered concealed.
Many states have much more restrictive gun laws then Arizona so just because it's ok in one state doesn't mean that's true across the USA. People that have only lived in one state their whole life, may assume gun laws are pretty much the same across states, but they are not.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
