CHL cons question

[ddcainjr]

I make the rule simple: if I have had anything at all to drink, I do not carry. Plain and simple, that is the best way to go about it. It's when you take risks like carrying after only having a few that can get you in deep trouble.

If I'm investigated for using my weapon as deadly force, I would prefer to be 100% sober than 1% intoxicated. Will make it much easier to defend my decision.

This

[mboltm]

I agree that you no longer HAVE to show your CHL when pulled over, But why on earth wouldn't you?? I have never been removed from my truck and always just asked to leave my weapon where it is. I certainly want the LEO to know that it is there so there are no surprises. The world we live in today is not the same as it was years ago, and with all of the crazies out there I do not want to be confused with them. The LEO's have enough to worry about as it is

[Pineywoods]

I've been pulled over a few times and handed both licenses to the officer. To be honest, I think they are somewhat relieved to know the person behind the wheel is a responsible citizen and not some every day thug.

I've never had an issue and typically have been issued warnings.

The pros outweigh the cons for carrying and I've never heard of what you're talking about and have been carrying for close to 5 years.

I agree with this 100%....ive been pulled over 3 times since ive had mine and twice by both state trooper and local pd and was told they didnt need to see my chl when i offered. The other time i was a passenger with my father n law who also has a chl. The officer asked him if he had his weapon after showing him his chl....my fil said no and the officer kindly proceeded to scold him for not carrying...he said " what good is it to have a chl if your not gonna carry...". I then told him i also had my chl and had my gun on me and he said he didnt need to see it....i have many police friends and they are all happy to see responsible citizens carry...

[LWD]

Only in states that do not have chl
Or states that do not recognize chl from other states

This. Maryland is jacking out-of-state CHL holders trying to get a felony weapons charge. When they discover you've got a CHL they're looking for guns since Maryland doesn't have concealed carry and does have draconian gun laws.

People can be a little myopic when they get a CHL. They assume that laws are the same everywhere. But they're not. A state-issued CHL doesn't get you squat except arrested on a federal facility. A "no guns" sign works just fine in Louisiana. Forget the responsibility and things can go south.

LWD

[cgny27]

I've been pulled over a few times and handed both licenses to the officer. To be honest, I think they are somewhat relieved to know the person behind the wheel is a responsible citizen and not some every day thug.

I've never had an issue and typically have been issued warnings.

The pros outweigh the cons for carrying and I've never heard of what you're talking about and have been carrying for close to 5 years.

This...same here!

[Playa]

You may want to read up on the requirements.

I agree that you no longer HAVE to show your CHL when pulled over, But why on earth wouldn't you?? I have never been removed from my truck and always just asked to leave my weapon where it is. I certainly want the LEO to know that it is there so there are no surprises. The world we live in today is not the same as it was years ago, and with all of the crazies out there I do not want to be confused with them. The LEO's have enough to worry about as it is

As I read it, you are still required to provide your CHL, but there is no penalty for not doing so.

SS 411.205

If a license holder is carrying a handgun on or about the license holder's person when a magistrate or peace officer demands that the license holder display identification, the license holder shall display both the license holder's DL or identification certificate issued by the department and the license holder's handgun license.

HB2730 Section 12.15 Article 12A Sec 411.187 has been amended effective 9/1/09 to remove any penalty sec 2a for breaking 411.205

[jdeleon]

That's what I was told during my CHL class. Maybe I just look suspicious, who knows. One thing is for sure that the two times I was pulled over, they were nervous once they knew I had my weapon. One trooper asked to me to get out, point to where it was at and he retrieved it. He then told me he was going to run a check on it to see if it had been used in a crime. I rolled my eyes and told him go for it. Gave me back my weapon and told me to have a good day. Then told me to use my blinker before I change lanes. Holy cow, the second guy nearly came out of his skin and started yelling at me to step out of the car NOW.
Someone please enlighten me on my rights.

Been pulled over several times while carrying. never been treated like this. wow.... rolled your eyes at an officer may not be the reason why he would be suspicious but kind of shows the attitude and character you have towards him.

[LonghornTX]

I've been pulled over a handful of times in the five years I've had my CHL. It has never been a big deal at all. Officers and troopers are civil, polite (generally), and respectful...in Texas. I was pulled over in Colorado, showed the officer my CHL and I think he had no idea what to do. He confiscated my weapon to run the serial number to make sure it had not been used in any criminal activity. I was shocked. Of course, I complied and all was ok. But, it was a weird experience. It was almost as though the officer thought I was likely a criminal or soon to be one because I had a pistol. Just because I believe in the second amendment and the right to maintain protection at all times does not make me a bank robber.

Again, Texas PD and DPS...always great interactions. Colorado...I'm a bank robber Texan.

[gonzaleziam]

I've been pulled over a handful of times in the five years I've had my CHL. It has never been a big deal at all. Officers and troopers are civil, polite (generally), and respectful...in Texas. I was pulled over in Colorado, showed the officer my CHL and I think he had no idea what to do. He confiscated my weapon to run the serial number to make sure it had not been used in any criminal activity. I was shocked. Of course, I complied and all was ok. But, it was a weird experience. It was almost as though the officer thought I was likely a criminal or soon to be one because I had a pistol. Just because I believe in the second amendment and the right to maintain protection at all times does not make me a bank robber.

Again, Texas PD and DPS...always great interactions. Colorado...I'm a bank robber Texan.

Bank robber Texan......well played. Hilarious.

[Bumpy]

Been stopped before. You have to show both CHL and TDL. Once they see that, they will ask if you are carrying your weapon. If yes, they will ask you to step out to be away from your weapon. My sis in law recently married DPS officer so I asked him about that. Their way of thinking is that "what if the traffic stop goes bad". They feel the driver might reach for their weapon.

I've never been asked to do that. I think my CHL got me out of traffic issues. I was never asking if I was even carrying.

[BowSlayer]

In Texas you do not need a CHL to carry in your vehicle so I'm not sure what good it does to show your CHL on a traffic stop. Folks with the CHL aren't generally the ones that they have to worry about. It's all the others that don't even need a CHL to carry in the vehicle.

[Iehooligan11b]

If you're a CHL holder and are carrying when you get pulled over you are legally required to tell the officer you're carrying and show chl from what I remember. I've gotten pulled over and just handed the sheriff my DL and CHL at the same time when he asked for DL he looked at both and didn't say anything about me carrying. Ended up with a warning too.

[Chasin Bacon]

A potential pitful might be that after carrying for a long time your concealed weapon just becomes another ordinary thing, like putting on a pair of shoes and it isn't as front of mind as it was when you originally began carrying concealed. Yes you know it's there, but it's just doesn't seem as concerning anymore and it is entirely possible to walk into a place that has a 30.06 sign posted out front. There are so few places with 30.06 signs in Texas and after awhile you might stop looking for them.

[30-30]

Thanks guys. I think they may be talking about drinking and carrying.

+1

If you commit a crime while carrying, (drunk driving or public intoxication for example) there may be stiffer penalties. There's nothing illegal about having a drink with dinner while carrying, but whether you're intoxicated is completely up to any officer that stops you. The .08 rule does not apply.

[CaptainDave]

There's no reason not to provide the LEO both your DL and CHL during a traffic stop; carrying or not. If they go and run your DL, it will show you have a CHL. If you didn't provide the CHL in the first place, then the LEO will probably question you about it regardless.

I've been stopped a couple times since having my CHL. The LEO's both times didn't seem to care much at all. Both of them asked if I was carrying. One time I was and the other I wasn't. The one time I was carrying, the LEO just said he appreciated me telling him where it was and for me not to reach for it.

Honestly, I think most LEO's dont' mind CHL holders as they know that the person went out of their way and passed a back ground check in order to carry.