TexasCHLforum.com

CHL/LEO wrote:I personally don't recommend that you take this path in certain jurisdictions.

I agree. At a minimum, it could cost thousands of dollars. And judges are not not all legal scholars. You might be found guilty despite having the law on your side.

- Jim

Skiprr wrote:Speaking of license plates, a friend of mine with the Jersey Village PD reminded me last month that as of February, officers were now allowed to stop vehicles that had portions of their license plates covered up by license plate frames or holders.

I remember when that law went into effect, Houston police were giving tickets for it.

The enthusiasm seemed to die out. I see plates all the time that are so obscured that you can't tell which state they are from.

- Jim

txinvestigator wrote:

seamusTX wrote:... I have been stopped when I hadn't done anything wrong. The last time it happened, I had a temporary plate (I had just bought the car) and the officer wanted a better look at it.

Where was the plate?

Where the license plate normally goes.

Perhaps I should add, it was in Arkansas with a Texas temporary plate, at night. I can understand why the Arkansas patrolman did not recognize it. The incident was uneventful.

- Jim

txinvestigator wrote:As I have said repeatedlly here, obey the traffic laws, don't act like a goober, and you won't have reason to be in contact with the police.

That's generally the case, but I have been stopped when I hadn't done anything wrong. The last time it happened, I had a temporary plate (I had just bought the car) and the officer wanted a better look at it.

It's also possible to get in a wreck that isn't your fault. In that case, if you are not injured and start retrieving things from the vehicle, they will watch you closely.

- Jim

txinvestigator wrote:...a person is presumed to be traveling if the person is:
(1) in a private motor vehicle; ...

And there's the rub. It is a presumption. Some DAs want officers to arrest and then determine whether the presumption applies.

Galveston and Brazoria counties are OK. Harris isn't. I'm not sure about the other counties between Galveston and Corpus Christi.

- Jim

CHL/LEO wrote:Not entirely true. Let's say I stopped Rooster on a traffic stop and while I was conversing with him I asked the question, "Are there any guns in your vehicle?" Now Mr. Rooster being an honest person with nothing to hide replies, "Yes officer I do have a handgun in my car." No warrant needed as Mr. Rooster volunteered that he had a handgun.

Right.

I have made my mind up not to answer questions at traffic stops. That might get me in trouble some day, but I figure when a LEO starts asking where I'm coming from, going to, etc., I would already be in trouble.

- Jim

Welcome to the forum.

You can carry a handgun in a vehicle, but you could be arrested and have to prove that you are traveling. To get to that point, a police officer would have to have a reason to search your vehicle.

Legally speaking, you would be better off having it in a locked case.

You can always carry a long gun.

- Jim