[slade]

I had my first LEO encounter since recieving my CHL last week.

I was rolling south out of Lufkin, TX and thought I'd cleared a construction zone when I saw the officer in the median. Lights came on... pulled over and handed him my license and CHL.

He asked me if I had the weapon in the car and I told him yes. He then handed my CHL license back.

I was given a warning and a much deserved reprimand to slow down.

Very professional. Kudos to this Lufkin, TX officer.

 

[golfnutcasey]

Sounds like a similar situation another poster had happen a few days ago. I agree with the folks who say it is best to go ahead and inform the officer regardless of if it is a requirement in your state or not. I'm not a LEO but if I were, I would want someone to let me know they were carrying.
I know some will say they wouldn't tell the LEO to avoid the officer "going off" on them but I just don't see this happening. If it did it would be the exception rather than the rule in my opinion.

 

[tbmccord]

My first encounter was years ago, also in Texas. Mine was for not using a turn signal while moving over into the newly formed lane for a off ramp. My encounter went much like yours except for one issue: I am a NRA Instructor and part of our mission is to educate the masses, including law enforcement on the proper terms to use. When asked if I had a weapon in the vehicle, I replied: "With all due respect officer, I do have a firearm in the vehicle. Weapon suggests offensive and my firearms are solely for my defense and the defense of my family."

The officer was impressed with the total lack of sarcasm and the attitude I had about my firearms.

As instructors, we are given the task to enlighten the public on proper terminology in order to cast a better light on the public's perception of firearm usage.

 

[slade]

Sounds like a similar situation another poster had happen a few days ago. I agree with the folks who say it is best to go ahead and inform the officer regardless of if it is a requirement in your state or not. I'm not a LEO but if I were, I would want someone to let me know they were carrying.
I know some will say they wouldn't tell the LEO to avoid the officer "going off" on them but I just don't see this happening. If it did it would be the exception rather than the rule in my opinion.

I wonder if the CHL shows up when they run your drivers license? If it does, you might as well show it to them.

 

[jjkjr]

slade
similiar what happened to me last week...... good stop.
i did the same gave him my CCW

 

[ethorman]

FYI in Oklahoma if you have a CCW then you have to by law, notify the LEO.

 

[Jim Macklin]

KISS

Laws vary from state to state. Inform or not inform seems to be the first variation. In no state that can think of in which your licewnse is honored [CCH-CCW-CWP] is it illegal or wrong to tell an officer, "I have a license for my concealed weapon."
[suggest you don't say "I have a concealed weapon." Say I have a license first-then say the words weapon. gun, what ever.]
Unless you are home state bound, get one plan, report the license. You will avoid failing to report it [a violation] and you will probbaly gain a Brownie Point from most officers.
BTW
Carrying that gun is supposed to make you aware of the dangers, keep you on yours toes, Condition Yellow, alert. So why would a cop ever have a reason to stop you? Granted you can have a head or tail light burn out a block before you pass a cop, but there are too many "I was pulled over for speeding" stories being heard.

 

[cliffyp]

In Texas, where the OP is from, you have give law enforcement your chl along with your driverse license. They can then decide to inquire further about a firearm if they see fit too.

 

[Saber]

Hmmm, here in Arizona we're not required to notify. For me personally, it would depend on the situation. Since I drive like someone twice my age, I don't anticipate being stopped but mistakes do happen. Also, by reading several recent encounters it appears that LEO’s are actually cutting some slack on those who notify, so maybe it’s not such a bad idea after all.

 

[CarGunGuy]

In Texas, where the OP is from, you have give law enforcement your chl along with your driverse license. They can then decide to inquire further about a firearm if they see fit too.

Not true anymore. As of Sept 1, you are not required to tell them you have a CHL.

I wonder if the CHL shows up when they run your drivers license? If it does, you might as well show it to them.

It does show up when they run your plate or drivers license number.

Now, given what I posted above regarding no longer being required to inform them, I wouldn't recommend it. Most officers likely don't even know that this law has changed, so not informing them may get you into some temporary trouble.

In Texas, I'd inform them for 2 reasons:
1) the officer is likely expecting it since the law just recently changed
2) it's the smart thing to do. 99% of the police officers in Texas will give you zero grief about having a CHL and a firearm as a result.

Not informing them will likely look like you're hiding something.
If the officer still believes you're required to inform them, and you don't, he/she may then give you a ticket or whatever they would do under the old law, and then let you clear it with the judge later equaling an additional head ache.

 

[CarryOptions]

I always notify the officer if I'm pulled over even though its not required in AZ to do so. I've always been treated with respect and let off lite.

Any other encounters I have with LEO would depend on the situation if I'd notify or not.

 

[RETSUPT99]

In a work zone? You're lucky to skate by with just a warning, because that could have been expensive...go buy a lottery ticket.:yup::blink:

 

[JJVP]

Not true anymore. As of Sept 1, you are not required to tell them you have a CHL..

Not quite correct. You are still required to inform. They just got rid of the penalties for failing to do so.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/LS-16.pdf

See GC 411.205 in page 28.

 

[CarGunGuy]

Not quite correct. You are still required to inform. They just got rid of the penalties for failing to do so.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/LS-16.pdf

See GC 411.205 in page 28.

How odd. So it's unenforceable? It's like the 'non-binding' resolutions are idiots in D.C. are so famous for.

 

[TX-JB]

Not quite correct. You are still required to inform. They just got rid of the penalties for failing to do so.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/LS-16.pdf

See GC 411.205 in page 28.

That's the funny part isn't it? They removed the penalties for failing to notify, but didn't remove the requirement to notify.... That's our great state legislators at work...

 

[Jumping Frog]

Laws vary from state to state. Inform or not inform seems to be the first variation. In no state that can think of in which your licewnse is honored [CCH-CCW-CWP] is it illegal or wrong to tell an officer, "I have a license for my concealed weapon."

Notification is required in Ohio. I know of at least one guy (Ohio license) who was traveling to W Virginia (no notification state), was stopped, and notified. Cop was so surprised at the notification he proned the guy at gunpoint.

Many of us in Ohio have stopped notifying in WV. :blink:

 

[slade]

In a work zone? You're lucky to skate by with just a warning, because that could have been expensive...go buy a lottery ticket.:yup::blink:

My feelings exactly!
I was fortunate to be right at the end of construction and not too far over the speed limit.

 

[DropTop]

good stop. i've talked to several LEO's around here and they all seem positive about our CHL's but you never know if you'll run into one that is not that might be having a bad day or something.

it is strange that they take the fines away for breaking the rules but not the rules.

 

[KimBobTex]

How odd. So it's unenforceable? It's like the 'non-binding' resolutions are idiots in D.C. are so famous for.

OK guys, this has been hashed & re-hashed, with many inaccurate slants.
This new law as of 9/1/09 has nothing to do with having, or not having to notify, YOU STILL NEED TO NOTIFY TX LEO.

In laymen terms (for my benefit), the new law has to do with failure or refusal to display / produce a valid CHL (ie. stolen / lost / forgot your wallet), and nothing to do with notifying TX LEO. Previously, failure to produce your CHL was an automatic & immediate 90 day suspension invoked on the spot by the officer, 2nd offense was a class B misdemeanor. The suspension & misdemeanor penalties have been stricken as of 9/1. You must still notify & you must still have the CHL on you, but if you slip up & can't produce your CHL for whatever reason, it's not an immediate & on the spot "end of the world".

A suggested response would be: "Officer, I'm a TX CHL holder, but I lost / forgot my wallet & don't have my CHL on me at this time. I do have my firearm on my right hip." You have notified as required by law, but were unable to display / produce your CHL (I am not a lawyer, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night).

In TX, your CHL status / info will display when they run your driver's license. As our CHL instructor (& former LEO) stated, "make sure the LEO finds out about your CHL from YOU in the beginning of the stop, rather than on-line from the DPS computer after the fact .... finding out for the first time on-line after the fact, means you failed to notify."

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/chl/HB2730.pdf

(Page 175. on the above .PDF file link)

SECTIONA12A.02.AASection 411.205, Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec.A411.205.AAREQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY [DISPLAYING]
LICENSE[; PENALTY]. [(a)] If a license holder is carrying a
handgun on or about the license holder ’s person when a magistrate or
a peace officer demands that the license holder display
identification, the license holder shall display both the license
holder ’s driver ’s license or identification certificate issued by
the department and the license holder ’s handgun license.

Removed code > A person who fails or refuses to display the license and identification as
required by this subsection is subject to suspension of the
person ’s license as provided by Section 411.187.
[(b)AAA person commits an offense if the person fails or
refuses to display the license and identification as required by
Subsection (a) after previously having had the person ’s license
suspended for a violation of that subsection. An offense under this
subsection is a Class B misdemeanor.

 

[CarGunGuy]

I just took the CHL class in Oct, and our instructor (who is also a LEO) didn't have this right either. It has a lot of people confused.