Typical encounter with an LEO

[MaxBerlin]

We've been having some problems with a neighbors dog and as a result 2 LEOs came to visit to discuss the matter with me on my behalf. After the usual 'cop knock' on the door. (must be something they teach at the academy) I met the officers outside and we discussed barking dogs and such for a few minutes until they had to take another call.

When I came back in my wife said she looked out the window to observe and said one of the LEOs never took his hand off of the area where his holster was. This was in despite of the fact that I was wearing only rugby shorts, a t-shirt and was barefoot and not the 'perp' in this (or any case).

I don't think there would have been anyway for me to be 'carrying' and I'm a 50 yr old man and incapable of tangling with 2 cops or even 1 for that matter.

So my questions are -
1. Do LEOs typically know that you're a CHL holder when they come to visit in Texas?
2. Should have I identified myself as a CHL when they came to the door and I was still inside? Armed, I'd say yes. Unarmed ?
3. Should I have identified as a CHL when I stepped outside? Armed I'd say yes, and I would have preferred to disarmed before going out to talk. Unarmed ?

How would you handle ? Thanks in advance.

[chrish20202]

Personally, I don't think that you have to tell them that you are armed or have a CHL on your own property unless they ask for ID. It could be something as simple as comfort, all the stuff on a duty belt makes a little arm rest.

[Blindref757]

I'd say that he was wearing duty belt, in Texas, in the summer...it's hot and he is most likely just resting his hands on that area. You do not have to produce your CHL unless they ask you for your ID. Since you called them, I'd think that they wouldn't ask you for it unless they were going to take a formal complaint by you against your neighbor.

[MotherBear]

When I came back in my wife said she looked out the window to observe and said one of the LEOs never took his hand off of the area where his holster was.

I've long been in the habit of resting my hands on my hips when just standing around. Now that I carry, one of my hands often goes over my gun. It's not anything to do with wanting my hand near my gun; it's just that it's where my hands are comfortable. I suspect that may have been the case here, unless he was looking on edge.

[n5wd]

When I used to wear a duty belt as a paramedic (shears, face mask, gloves, penlight, knife, belt cutter, windshield punch, etc.) I'd often find myself putting my hands on my radio, which I usually wore at 3 o'clock, just to have somewhere to put my hands. I don't think you need to worry that they were about to blast you!

[JP171]

When I used to wear a duty belt as a paramedic (shears, face mask, gloves, penlight, knife, belt cutter, windshield punch, etc.) I'd often find myself putting my hands on my radio, which I usually wore at 3 o'clock, just to have somewhere to put my hands. I don't think you need to worry that they were about to blast you!

Holy bat toys batman, hows the woo woo batman utility belt there?

[cw3van]

Personally, I don't think that you have to tell them that you are armed or have a CHL on your own property unless they ask for ID. It could be something as simple as comfort, all the stuff on a duty belt makes a little arm rest.

Yup you have hit the nail on the head many LEOs do it exactly for that reason. Trained police in the academy for 6 years tried to teach not the best thing but in Texas just the way it is not going to change 60% of LEOs who find it makes a good arm or hand rest just so you know I was guilty of doing it too.

[howdy]

When I used to wear a duty belt as a paramedic (shears, face mask, gloves, penlight, knife, belt cutter, windshield punch, etc.) I'd often find myself putting my hands on my radio, which I usually wore at 3 o'clock, just to have somewhere to put my hands. I don't think you need to worry that they were about to blast you!

Holy bat toys batman, hows the woo woo batman utility belt there?

This is why I finally stopped working as a Paramedic. Comments and attitudes like this.

[gigag04]

All the medics I worked with (Full time F/EMTP) carried bags for gear.

Anyway - the hand on gun thing is more of a comfort issue after a while. But, having the inside of my right wrist lightly brushing the upper corner of the slide/holster hood was a good Poke Yoke (for you six sigma types) to ensure that my gun was there, and protected from others.

A few times leaving the jail, that very comfort spot on my wrist saved me from getting in while my gear was in the trunk.


Open carrying has its own host of weird behaviors. Don't miss most of them.

[JP171]

When I used to wear a duty belt as a paramedic (shears, face mask, gloves, penlight, knife, belt cutter, windshield punch, etc.) I'd often find myself putting my hands on my radio, which I usually wore at 3 o'clock, just to have somewhere to put my hands. I don't think you need to worry that they were about to blast you!

Holy bat toys batman, hows the woo woo batman utility belt there?

This is why I finally stopped working as a Paramedic. Comments and attitudes like this.

I have been a Paramedic for over 20 years, I have NEVER carried a batman utility belt, never saw the need I have worked everything from transfer gomer totes to regional 911 systems didn't need the stuff and don't now, and yes I am still an active Paramedic. so yea I tend to make fun of it, same as the guy that carries the full Trauma bag in the car next to the o2 bottle and drug bag has the big call 911 sticker and enough lights to make his POV look like a UFO

[srothstein]

Trained police in the academy for 6 years tried to teach not the best thing but in Texas just the way it is not going to change

Well, if it helps, I was training them in just the opposite direction. This also might help the OP understand too. I would teach them that if they put their forearm on their pistol butt, it provided a nice rest, looked a lot less threatening than many other places, and helped protect their firearm from a gun grab without making it obvious. It is both a useful position and restful at the same time.

[Keith B]

Trained police in the academy for 6 years tried to teach not the best thing but in Texas just the way it is not going to change

Well, if it helps, I was training them in just the opposite direction. This also might help the OP understand too. I would teach them that if they put their forearm on their pistol butt, it provided a nice rest, looked a lot less threatening than many other places, and helped protect their firearm from a gun grab without making it obvious. It is both a useful position and restful at the same time.

That was the way I would stand as well Steve. However, mine was more of the issue of a large-butt 4" .357 K-frame in a high-ride holster and being skinny at the time. If I held my arm to my side it was uncomfortable as my arm was pushed out from my body quite a bit. And as you stated, by resting my arm on it it was a good method to protect it as well as a quick rearward movement with the arm would have me in position to draw should I need to.

[cw3van]

Trained police in the academy for 6 years tried to teach not the best thing but in Texas just the way it is not going to change

Well, if it helps, I was training them in just the opposite direction. This also might help the OP understand too. I would teach them that if they put their forearm on their pistol butt, it provided a nice rest, looked a lot less threatening than many other places, and helped protect their firearm from a gun grab without making it obvious. It is both a useful position and restful at the same time.

Yes sir I agree with your method & sound right on as I say we got a couple complaints so tried to stop folks but never worked out just to darn handy & your sure right about gun grabs. Thanks maybe you helped this person understand LEOs not trying to intimidate just wanting to go home after their shifts over.

[Dadtodabone]

All the medics I worked with (Full time F/EMTP) carried bags for gear.

Anyway - the hand on gun thing is more of a comfort issue after a while. But, having the inside of my right wrist lightly brushing the upper corner of the slide/holster hood was a good Poke Yoke (for you six sigma types) to ensure that my gun was there, and protected from others.

A few times leaving the jail, that very comfort spot on my wrist saved me from getting in while my gear was in the trunk.


Open carrying has its own host of weird behaviors. Don't miss most of them.

Poka-Yoke, lol. The kinder, gentler term now used in U.S., mistake proofing.
Toyota had it right the first time around, Baka-Yoke, idiot proofing.