Not carrying, no need to show CHL

[E.Marquez]

Honestly I have no problem with showing my CHL (not that I have even been pulled over i the last 16 years or so) Heck I'd probable grab the whole pile or ID (Military, TX DL, TX ID, OR CHL, TX CHL) I Know my government well,, Gun registration, National ID card, showing All forms of ID at a traffic stop,,make no difference.. The data bases suck, most times no one GOV agency can talk or search another's data base, and they can lose track of most any piece of data in a matter of days,,, I'm just not worried about them "coming to find me" when the deification hits the fan or what ever...

I'm all for RKBA, etc., but what's the big deal in showing your CHL? Whhats the debate? What's the harm in showing it if you are not carrying? Am I missing something?:confused5

I guess for the same reason I politely say no sir when asked if they can search my vehicle,, most often responded with “ Sir do you have something to hide?” Why no officer I have something to uphold,, my right to privacy and not be searched without probable cause, Sir if you have it I will comply with your lawful orders no problem, but if your asking, then I respectfully decline.

In reality I'll always present it, as I will always be required to by law (you can read between the lines)

Yep, between the lines read And you have a perfect right to do as you describe. But, as the LEO is going to find out a person has a CHL anyway, what's the point of not showing it? Personally I don't think not showing it increases your chances of getting away without a citation. Just MHO.

[cougartex]

If stopped, I will show both.

[rdcrags]

When I, while walking, was hit by a car a couple of weeks ago, the first thing I said to the officer who poked his head in the back of the ambulance was "Officer, I have something to tell you. I'm carrying."

TX CHL 1997
CO CHP 2005

[hirundo82]

It will show up when they run your DL number, I'd give it to them to begin with.....

This is the reason that, if I weren't carrying, I'd at least alert him first that a CHL will come back when he runs my DL so he doesn't freak out--something along the lines of "I have a CHL, but there are no fireams in the vehicle."

[y5e06]

I've been stopped by DPS and wasn't carrying. I chose to not show my CHL. no freaking out occured. Officer went back to vehicle, issued me a ticket (expired inspection), and when returning then mentioned "I see that you have a CHL" which I interjected with "yeah, I'm not carrying". His response "very good, have a nice day". The whole incident was a very quick process.
Yeah, I wasn't carrying because I can't at work nor can I stow in my car while in the parking lot.
That said I don't believe I'll display my card unless I'm packing, and in that case I'll be sure to place it right on top. I'm a believer in 'need to know only' in regards to personal info and practice that at all times, regardless. That includes showing CHL at stops when not required even though they see it on their system.

[Griz44]

Guess I will never know if I would present or not.
If I am vertical, and not in a prohibited place, I'm carrying.
Even when I am horizontal, it's sitting on the nightstand, in arms reach.

[G26ster]

I'm a believer in 'need to know only' in regards to personal info and practice that at all times, regardless. That includes showing CHL at stops when not required even though they see it on their system.

You have a right to do whatever you wish, and I don't mean to challenge that at all. But, how does showing your CHL provide more "personal info" than the LEO seeing it on his/her computer?

[judgedefender]

UPDATE.....

I HAVE BEEN STOPPED TWICE SINCE I STARTED THIS POST. THE FIRST STOP WAS BY A HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER. I WASN'T CARRYING BECAUSE I WAS AT WORK. I DIDN'T SHOW THE OFFICER MY CHL. HE ASKED WHY I DIDN'T SHOW MY CHL AND I TOLD HIM I WASN'T CARRYING. HE PROCEEDED TO ARGUE ME DOWN AND TELL ME THAT I AM SUPPOSE TO SHOW MY CHL EVERY SINGLE TIME I AM STOPPED, EVEN IF I AM NOT CARRYING. THE SECOND TIME I WAS STOPPED WAS BY A STATE TROOPER. AGAIN, I WASN'T CARRYING BECAUSE I WAS LEAVING WORK. I GAVE THE STATE TROOPER BOTH MY DL AND CHL. I WAS ASKED TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND TOLD I WAS FOLLOWING ANOTHER CAR TOO CLOSELY. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, MY CAR WAS SEARCHED CAUSE HE DIDN'T BELIEVE I WAS UNARMED AND I LEFT WITH A CITATION.

[NEB]

Wow. So the officer used your response of "I'm not armed" as probable cause to search your vehicle? That's ridiculous, and I would definitely place a call in to his supervisor.

--NEB

[steveincowtown]

I'm all for RKBA, etc., but what's the big deal in showing your CHL? Whhats the debate? What's the harm in showing it if you are not carrying? Am I missing something?:confused5

I guess for the same reason I politely say no sir when asked if they can search my vehicle,, most often responded with “ Sir do you have something to hide?” Why no officer I have something to uphold,, my right to privacy and not be searched without probable cause, Sir if you have it I will comply with your lawful orders no problem, but if your asking, then I respectfully decline.

If we lived in a soceity where 100% of all LEO's knew and respected our rights, than I would say 100% of all CHL'ers should show, just as a courtesy. The problem is if we all just starting showing as a courtesy now, it would not be long before LEO's saw it as "must do" instead of a "can do." This is not the LEO's fault, it is human nature.

[function12]

Pulled over by DPS for no front plate. I was not carrying and I did not show my CHL. He asked for my DL and insurance card. I was given a written warning and told to have a good day. I wasn't even told to get the plate mounted.

[gigag04]

It will show up when they run your DL number, I'd give it to them to begin with.....

Just for the record...


CHL information does not show up when an officer runs your DL.

CHL information is held in a different database and can only be accessed if the Officer requests a QW or TCIC check by name and DOB.

QW has a field for DL/ID.

It will give you the 27 record, and 29 returns. (TCIC/NCIC) hits. This is how ours (and most I know) are run.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Wow. So the officer used your response of "I'm not armed" as probable cause to search your vehicle? That's ridiculous, and I would definitely place a call in to his supervisor.

Thanks for the reminder of one of the reasons I kept my Indiana licenses instead of switching over.

DADT may not be military policy any longer, but it's still wise policy for concealed carry.

[terryg]

UPDATE.....

I HAVE BEEN STOPPED TWICE SINCE I STARTED THIS POST. THE FIRST STOP WAS BY A HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER. I WASN'T CARRYING BECAUSE I WAS AT WORK. I DIDN'T SHOW THE OFFICER MY CHL. HE ASKED WHY I DIDN'T SHOW MY CHL AND I TOLD HIM I WASN'T CARRYING. HE PROCEEDED TO ARGUE ME DOWN AND TELL ME THAT I AM SUPPOSE TO SHOW MY CHL EVERY SINGLE TIME I AM STOPPED, EVEN IF I AM NOT CARRYING. THE SECOND TIME I WAS STOPPED WAS BY A STATE TROOPER. AGAIN, I WASN'T CARRYING BECAUSE I WAS LEAVING WORK. I GAVE THE STATE TROOPER BOTH MY DL AND CHL. I WAS ASKED TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND TOLD I WAS FOLLOWING ANOTHER CAR TOO CLOSELY. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, MY CAR WAS SEARCHED CAUSE HE DIDN'T BELIEVE I WAS UNARMED AND I LEFT WITH A CITATION.

Hi judgedefender. Welcome to the forum and thanks for the information.

Just a general note about posting: Typing in all caps makes it very difficult for others to read your postings. Also, general internet etiquette equates typing in all caps to yelling. So it is hard to read and considered rude by many. Not meaning to be rude myself, but just thought you might benefit from knowing.