LEO contacts

[Chris]

As I got to the next intersection I started to pull a U turn but just as I started my swing I saw a (obviously temporary from the way it was mounted) "No U Turn" sign hanging from a light pole.

if you ever get cited for something like that, contact TXDOT about the validity of those signs. traffic control signs have to meet certain requirements to be considered "official traffic control devices." if they don't meet those requirements, they're not valid and thus not enforceable.

just a bit of info from your friendly neighborhood traffic officer. :)

[jimlongley]

As I got to the next intersection I started to pull a U turn but just as I started my swing I saw a (obviously temporary from the way it was mounted) "No U Turn" sign hanging from a light pole.

if you ever get cited for something like that, contact TXDOT about the validity of those signs. traffic control signs have to meet certain requirements to be considered "official traffic control devices." if they don't meet those requirements, they're not valid and thus not enforceable.

just a bit of info from your friendly neighborhood traffic officer. :)

Maybe that's why I wasn't cited. I spoke to an officer since then and he confirmed that a lot of traffic control was placed temporarily during the detour, including the No U Turn sign where everyone that had gotten forced west by the detour was turning east. No other traffic control devices at that intersection was leading to many close calls.

[tex45acp]

I have had 3 encounters with LEO's since recieving my CHL.

The first was for a taillight out and it was a Deputy Sheriff of Calhoun County that stopped me. I handed him my DL & CHL and he asked me if I was carrying. I said I have a gun in my right front pocket and one in the car. He looked kinda puzzled and then stated "Two Guns" in a questioning way. He asked if I was expecting that much trouble. I simply stated that I am an old Boy Scout that belives in always being prepared. I told him that I always carry a BUG. He said that his department would'nt allow him to do the same. I told him that that seems like the department is not allowing the Deputies to defend themselves if something were to happen to their primary sidearm or the BG was able to get their gun away from them.
I was not issued a ticket....he thanked me for my patience and concern for his welfare and sent me on my way.

The second & third were DPS officers and the first was for a minor speeding infraction and the other was during an insurance check roadblock.

When I gave the first Trooper my DL & CHL he asked what I was carrying and where it was. I told him I had my SIG P220ST in a holster on my right hip covered by my shirt. He asked me to step out of the car and stand at the rear while running my license. He came back without his ticket book and handed them both back to me. He then asked to see the SIG as he had never seen a stainless one much less a .45. I removed it from the holster, removed the clip and cycled the round out of the chamber and handed it to him with the slide locked back position. He really scrutinized the gun and stated " Now this is one bueatiful gun....you have good taste in weaponry". He then asked if the trigger was as good as his SIG. I walked back to the car a retrieved a snapcap, handed it to him and said "try it out". He did and grinned like a possum eatin catcus, cycled the action to remove the snapcap, left the slide locked open and handed the gun back to me. I reloaded it in his presence and placed it back in the holster. He thanked me for being so courteous, and I told him to be careful out on the roads.

The third time was at a roadblock where several LEO's and Deputies were checking DL's, registration & insurance. I handed the Trooper my DL, CHL, registration and insurance card. The trooper looked at me, smiled and nodded his head at me and said "Thank you and have a good day sir". I drove on.

All three were positive and I feel very comfortable giving the CHL to any LEO now.

[Studduck]

The only slighlty negative encounter I have has was when I was NOT carrying. I was stopped for speeding (guilty) and the officer approached the passenger side of the car. I did not offer my CHL becasue I was not packing (I should have). When I opened the glove compartment to retrieve my registration, the HPD officer saw a box of cartrigdges. That made him nervous and defensive. He asked if I was carrying to which I replied "no". I then gave him my CHL just to make him more comfortabe.

[therooster]

The only slighlty negative encounter I have has was when I was NOT carrying. I was stopped for speeding (guilty) and the officer approached the passenger side of the car. I did not offer my CHL becasue I was not packing (I should have). When I opened the glove compartment to retrieve my registration, the HPD officer saw a box of cartrigdges. That made him nervous and defensive. He asked if I was carrying to which I replied "no". I then gave him my CHL just to make him more comfortabe.

my CHL instructor told us.. "always show your CHL, even if your not carrying, because when he runs your DL # it shows on the screen that you have a CHL. most of the time the LEO will go back to your vehicle to confirm that you are carrying. if you show him the CHL with your DL it eliminates him having to come back to your car to confim.... makes is job easier."

take care of your LEOs and they will take care of you.

[stevie_d_64]

I've never really had a problem...

Before I got my CHL, I averaged about 1 citation every 24 months...Since then its been much more sparse on any "stops"...3 times since 1998...And every one of them has been a warning or courtesy stop...

One was I was out in my Grandmothers' fine Cadillac up in Dallas...I didn't notice she had this "pull me over sticker if this car is moving past 10pm" thing...

I actually thought that after DPD pulled me over and started grilling me about "why" I was driving my gran-mamma's car around...I was a little shocked that I was actually asked that...

And he explained the whole sticker thing...We did have a good laugh and asked me the whole "watcha carrying" deal...

He was old school, so he feigned "jealosy" because he was still an old "wheelgun" carry'er...Said he used to catch my uncle running around Casa Linda at the wee hours of the morning years ago...I was sorry to hear him retire a couple of years later...

Wish that kinda of attitude would have transferred though...

[dolanp]

Just got pulled over for the first time since getting my CHL today.

Was behind this really slow guy who was a bit frustrating, so he came to this yield sign onto a highway and stayed at a stop while nobody was really coming. Finally he started to go so I zipped around him to the outer lane to pass him and lo and behold a constable was behind me and lit me up. It was my bad I know I shouldn't have done that.

Anyways I rolled down my window, he explained that I shouldn't have gone around that guy and was driving dangerously and all. I was a friendly as I could be, tried to explain but didn't argue. Anyways I handed the DL, CHL, and insurance card and he didn't make any comments about the CHL, just went back to his car. Luckily for me he decided not to write me a citation (I think the CHL might have played a part) and gave me a stern warning not to ever do it again.

So as far as CHL is concerned it was a good stop all in all, no comments, complaints, or reactions.

[flintknapper]

I've been stopped twice in eight years. Once by the DPS for not having a front license plate on my Early Bronco, and once for an expired inspection sticker, by the Sheriffs dept.

Both officers were very professional and courteous, neither did anything other than give my CHL a cursory look and hand it right back. No questions whether I had it with me, or where it was.

Both issued me "verbal" warnings about my infraction, and let me go on my way.

EXCELLENT! :)