[CJ810]

Am I correct that in Texas, without a CCP, I can carry a gun in my car, loaded and ready to go, as long as it is not in plain view? (I also understand that I'm ok carrying the gun between my car and my residence. Correct?)

I can see that it is going to take some time to get a CCP approved and in my possession, so I'm looking to take any safety precautions I can until that time.

In what areas can I not leave the gun in my car? For instance am I ok leaving it in my car while I am at work at a hospital, or picking up kids from school, or in church worshiping, etc.?

Thanks,

Cliff

 

[gumaro]

That's correct you can have a loaded gun in car out of sight and can carry from home to car and car to home, you can leave it in the car at any parking lot that is not posted at the entrance to the parking lot.

 

[Rexster]

Just keep in mind that burglary of a motor vehicle is THE leading crime in at least some major parts of Texas. Smash-window-and-grab is most common, of course, but some will make themselves comfortable inside your car, stay a while, and really poke around.

Don't think gated parking lots and parking garages are any safer. Such locations just seem to give the burglars more privacy. Take precautions!

 

[CJ810]

Thanks.

And I agree about gated complexes, I have been very disillusioned by the lack of any real security with my complex.

 

[slade]

We were told in our CHL class that in major Texas cities such as Houston, Dallas... the DA's are ignoring the law and will arrest those with weapons in their cars w/o a CHL. After a night in jail, car tow, lawyer fees, court fees... you'll be free because it is the law, but...

Just what I heard.

 

[Rexster]

We were told in our CHL class that in major Texas cities such as Houston, Dallas... the DA's are ignoring the law and will arrest those with weapons in their cars w/o a CHL. After a night in jail, car tow, lawyer fees, court fees... you'll be free because it is the law, but...

Just what I heard.

Old news. We have had another session of the legistalture since then. Actually, two more sessions. This mess was fixed over two years ago, and took effect in September 2007. In the latest session, the requirement to notify an LEO was removed.

 

[TX-JB]

We were told in our CHL class that in major Texas cities such as Houston, Dallas... the DA's are ignoring the law and will arrest those with weapons in their cars w/o a CHL. After a night in jail, car tow, lawyer fees, court fees... you'll be free because it is the law, but...

Just what I heard.

You'll also be rich after the city settles on your multi-million dollar lawsuit for false arrest....

If that is your plan I would look into a COM safe for your car.

COM Safes

 

[Pikachu711]

Gated communities give residents a false sense of security.

Some time ago Steve Wynn's (casino owner/Treasure Island) daughter was kidnapped from their home in one of the more private gated communities. If a casino owner doesn't have security in his gated community, what are the chances that the average person is safe in their's?

Makes you think, huh?

 

[mr surveyor]

another point to consider is if you are carrying a handgun under authority of the MPA (Motorist Protection Act) and not under a CHL (concealed handgun license), keep only one loaded, and ready handgun in the vehicle if you have passengers, and make sure the handgun is more accessable to you. Unless the passengers have CHL, they could possibly be arrested for Unawful Carry of a Weapon if there are more than one handgun, or the single handgun is more accessable to the passenger than the owner/driver of the vehicle.

surv

 

[Rexster]

another point to consider is if you are carrying a handgun under authority of the MPA (Motorist Protection Act) and not under a CHL (concealed handgun license), keep only one loaded, and ready handgun in the vehicle if you have passengers, and make sure the handgun is more accessable to you. Unless the passengers have CHL, they could possibly be arrested for Unawful Carry of a Weapon if there are more than one handgun, or the single handgun is more accessable to the passenger than the owner/driver of the vehicle.

surv

This is true. The owner or operator or a vehicle is OK to carry concealed inside a vehicle without a CHL, but others inside the vehicle are NOT. In the eyes of the law, possession can indeed be construed to mean the person nearest the item in question. This will be a case in which the officer has a great deal of discretion. Most Texas peace officers are "cool" about firearms, but Texas is a very diverse state, with peace officers from a diversity of backgrounds.

 

[CJ810]

In another thread (the young man asking about his aunt buying a gun for him) someone mentioned that carrying a gun from home to the car is not as simple if you live in an apartment, but they were talking about Florida. Is that a concern in Texas or should I be ok carrying straight from my apartment door to my car and vise versa?

 

[mr surveyor]

if you can legally own and possess a handgun, your apartment is considered your "castle", or property under your control, which is technically no different than if you leased or owned a house. Unless the apartment, condo association or other entity that actually had control over some type of rules/regulations had a no firearms policy written into your rent/lease contract, I believe the apartment would be considered "under your control". In that case you could carry your handgun from your apartment concealed directly to your vehicle. At that point you would be carrying under authoruty of the MPA. Another interesting side note is that IF you are the owner of your place of business, or the person that is acting CEO in the owner's absence (with his/her permission, I believe), you can carry from your vehicle directly into the place of business and conceal carry on the job (on personal or company owned property) as well.

The above is my understanding of the current legal carry options for non-CHL holders, but (typical disclaimer) since I am not a trained legal specialist, take my words for what they may be worth (at least a nickle now due to inflation)


surv