New to CHL, some random questions

[Flatland2D]

Well 30.06 seems like it pretty much includes everything, not just the building. I hope that can be changed eventually to at least allow storage in a locked vehicle.

Any idea what I should do about my online application? I think I might just cancel it and send in what I got in class. What about places to get finger prints and passport photos taken? I want to get this mailed off ASAP.

[bauerdj]

30.06 sign is dependent on where it is posted: it controls everything PAST that point. As a practicle matter you will find theat the majority of signs are posted on buildings and thus do not prohibit parking lots. This is also true in locations where we are prohibited from carrying even without a 30.06 sign (schools, professional sporting events, etc) Please note that schools are a special class, and if there is a school sponsered event the prohibitation may extend beyond just the building.

As far as your packet application, I would GUESS that since it wasn't completed you would be okay using the school packet. It could take several weeks for you to receive the package. If it was me, I think I would call DPS to get their answer on this rather then take a chance on the long delays involved when a "correction" to paperwork is needed.

Sorry, can't help you on where to get photos/fingerprints, I used one of the "one stop shopping" classes to avoid this problem; took the class on Sunday and had everything in the mail to DPS the next morning - then the long wait began (took exactly 60 calendar days door to door)

[da.suxor]

1) If I'm a passenger (say my wife or a friend is driving) in a car that gets pulled over and I'm carrying, do I have to present my CHL license? Or, would I only have to inform the officer of my gun and hand over my license if I was personally asked for my ID?

You only have to present CHL when asked BY AN LEO for ID.

I would recommend that if you hear the officer ask if there are any weapons in the car, advise the LEO you are a CHL license holder and are carrying. They might ask for your ID and license, as well as where your firearm is. Depending ont he situation and the LEO, he may disarm you for the duration of the traffic stop.

[stevie_d_64]

1) If I'm a passenger (say my wife or a friend is driving) in a car that gets pulled over and I'm carrying, do I have to present my CHL license? Or, would I only have to inform the officer of my gun and hand over my license if I was personally asked for my ID?

You only have to present CHL when asked BY AN LEO for ID.

I would recommend that if you hear the officer ask if there are any weapons in the car, advise the LEO you are a CHL license holder and are carrying. They might ask for your ID and license, as well as where your firearm is. Depending ont he situation and the LEO, he may disarm you for the duration of the traffic stop.

My personal opinion is that I do not like to say anything verbally, unless asked, I just smile and hand them my CHL, and let them figure it out...

I'm not being disrespectful, I'm just not wanting to make a big deal out of it...The less I say about the fact, the better...And usually it never becomes an issue...

As far as disarming a CHL, I have five digits on my hand...And I can only count 2-3 times on that hand where I have heard a story about a Texas LEO (from any jurisdiction) doing this...An extremely rare occurance, at least being posted in any forum I have participated in...

[Flatland2D]

What a day. Went to class, then to Wal-Mart for passport photos, then to DPS to change my address and get temp license, then to the local police station for finger prints only to find out I had to go to the downtown headquarters for that, then went to work.

I noticed what I think are non-enforceable "no guns" signs at both police stations. The local one had a "no guns allowed" sign with a picture of a handgun crossed out on it. The downtown headquarters had a sign that said something to the effect of "concealed handgun license holders must lock their firearm in the officer locker area, violaters will be arrested." Not only are these not even close to 30.06 specs, but they aren't even allowed to post since they're a government agency, right? Maybe I should write them and inform them about their own laws.

As suggested by others, a fine for improperly posting a 30.06 or 51% sign would be nice to add to the books.

[da.suxor]

My personal opinion is that I do not like to say anything verbally, unless asked, I just smile and hand them my CHL, and let them figure it out...

I'm not being disrespectful, I'm just not wanting to make a big deal out of it...The less I say about the fact, the better...And usually it never becomes an issue...

As far as disarming a CHL, I have five digits on my hand...And I can only count 2-3 times on that hand where I have heard a story about a Texas LEO (from any jurisdiction) doing this...An extremely rare occurance, at least being posted in any forum I have participated in...

If a LEO asks if there are any weapons in the car, are seriously going to start reaching into your pockets for your wallet and CHL? I would recommend telling the LEO before you go reaching for things. Given the LEO has asked that, they are already concerned for whatever reason.

Granted, there have been very few reports of being disarmed as a CHL. Regardless, I was advising of what "could" happen, no matter how remote.

[rockusaf]

Just curious, where did you take your class? When I took mine, everything was included. We got passport photos and fingerprints taken, filled out all the paperwork, got certificates and everything all the same day.

[Flatland2D]

It was held at the Law Enforcement Training Center Annex at San Antonio College, sponsored by the Students for the Second Amendment. Instructor was the Director of South Texas Marksmanship Training Center. I do wish we could have done things like prints in class, as that ate up a lot of my day trying to take care of it, and the police headquarters charged me $20 for it. But then again, I only paid $20 to take the course, which is the best deal I've ever heard for CHL certification.

[mr fixit]

4) I am 5'8" and around 140lbs, so I've got a pretty small frame to work with as far as concealment goes. My carry gun (and only handgun as of now) will be a Steyr M9. It's about the size of a Glock 19 and even looks a little like one too (was designed by a former engineer for Glock that was hired by Steyr). Any suggestions for holsters? I normally wear t-shirts and shorts since the weather is nice most of the year. I've been reading up on the Smart Carry holsters and they look very promising. Anyone with personal experience? I've also been stocking my gun in my waistband behind my back which I find pretty comfortable and very concealed, but sitting down is a little less comfortable and it's more likely to stick out. My only reservation to the Smart Carry is that it seems a little awkward being that the gun rests right on top of your uh... privates. I'm sure that I'd get over it pretty fast though.

Welcome! Iam a frequent lurker, seldom poster. I wanted to give my $.02 on holsters/guns/clothing.

I've been "packing" for 6 years now. Since the first, I have made it a point to carry everyday, everywhere legal. Unless I am on-duty at the Fire Station, or at a family members home for an extended time, you can bet i am wearing a weapon. Having said that, a few things I've found;

Your first gun, won't be your last gun. You will find that small guns hide easier than big guns. It's easier to conceal a Glock 19 than a 17, and easier still a Glock 26. All are the same caliber (9mm), but you can 'get away with more' with a 26. I've gone through 3 different pistols so far, now haveing a Glock 26 and very happy. Started with a full-sized S&W auto.

Your first holster (per gun) won't be your last holster. I've never tried the Smart Carry, so I can't comment on it. I have done belt-slides, Outside the waistband adjustables, and Inside wasistbands. The IWB are the easiest to conceal that I have tried, 'cause half or more of the gun is already in your pants. You will find when useing an IWB, the length of the grip makes much more difference on concealablity than barrel length. On the OWB holsters, both barrel length and grip length have to be taken into consideration.

Your clothing styles will change a bit if you decide to carry at all times.
Shorts and t-shirts are fine, but if carrying a pistol, shorts, t-shirt tucked in, and a haiwian shirt over it is better. T-shirts tucked in and untucked 'button down' shirts are your friend. Square tails on your shirts left untucked don't draw as much attention to your attire as a round bottom shirt that is made to be tucked in when left out. Dark colors conceal better than light colors. Patterns on shirts help hide the "print" of the butt of your gun showing through. Photographer vests, "tactical vests", any kind of vests screams "I have a gun!" Handle with care.

You will find that when you first begin to carry, you worry about every move. That's good, you need to realize that Susie Schoolteacher doesn't need to see your weapon when you raise your arms to reach something on the top self. Likewise, I bend over a lot less now, and instead squat down to pick stuff up. Bending over will push the butt of your gun out the back your shirt, sticking out like a beacon.

When carrying, you'll learn to hug...Some of you guys are smiling 'cause you know what I mean. You'll learn to intercept those arms comming at ya. Hint, go low, make the other raise their arms to your shoulder level, that way she/he won't squeeze and pat Roscoe on your belt.

You'll generally sit in a booth at a resteraunt, with your gun side to the wall.
You'll look all around every entrance you walk up to, just to see if that pesky sign is there.

After a while, you will actually wear your weapon, and forget you have it on. It just becomes part of you. OF course that took me 5 years.

There's a lot of stuff to learn, to remember, to worry about. But its nothing compared to knowing you have done all you could to be ready to protect yourself, and those you love. I sincerly hope, you never have to.

Again welcome.

[lrb111]

I have no idea how I'm going to be able to stand the wait. Maybe I'll give DPS a call every day to check the status until I get my license!

!

I realize you did not specifically ask, but here's the site to check on your license status. They will mail you a pin number, after your application is received and processed "in".

Then one day it will say "license approved, or certificate issued"

http://www.texasonline.state.tx.us/NASA ... ctTask.jsp

In the mean time it will just be another opportunity to go nuts waiting.

[racer32]

You will find that when you first begin to carry, you worry about every move. That's good, you need to realize that Susie Schoolteacher doesn't need to see your weapon when you raise your arms to reach something on the top self. Likewise, I bend over a lot less now, and instead squat down to pick stuff up. Bending over will push the butt of your gun out the back your shirt, sticking out like a beacon.

Not long ago my wife (not named Susie, but a schoolteacher) was in the local W-Mart buying ammo for her new Kimber. While she was waiting another customer came up to the counter and had the butt of his pistol hung on his jacket, exposing it to every passerby. She noticed, and quietly told the fellow, "That which is to be concealed...isn't." Susie Schoolteacher isn't necessarily going to freak out if you unintentionally show your weapon...she might be carrying as well. For that matter, nobody in the WM paid the guy much attention either; so far as I know the guy had walked all the way in from the front to the ammo counter without anyone noticing that his weapon wasn't concealed.

It's kind of funny the notions that the general public has about us schoolteachers. There are a lot of us out here who aren't right-wing, liberal, anti-gun weenies. There are several avid hunters and target shooters in my district. Some of us schoolteachers are CHL-holders too!

[Crossfire]

She noticed, and quietly told the fellow, "That which is to be concealed...isn't."

I had a similar incident with my husband, but I guess he is a little too comfortable carrying now. We were shopping at Home Depot and his Glock was peeking out fom under his vest. I whispered "honey, you need to cover up", so he checked his fly...

[mr fixit]

It's kind of funny the notions that the general public has about us schoolteachers. There are a lot of us out here who aren't right-wing, liberal, anti-gun weenies. There are several avid hunters and target shooters in my district. Some of us schoolteachers are CHL-holders too!

No offense intended, I hope no one thinks I have a bad/different impression of teachers; My wife is a school nurse, my father retired from the school system haveing been a coach/principal/transportation director, I am a substitute teacher, a friend I am on the deer lease with is/was a teacher....
"Susie Schoolteacher" was just the first stereotype that I came up with.

And, by the way, most of the school empoyees i know, are very right wing.

[racer32]

It's kind of funny the notions that the general public has about us schoolteachers. There are a lot of us out here who aren't right-wing, liberal, anti-gun weenies. There are several avid hunters and target shooters in my district. Some of us schoolteachers are CHL-holders too!

No offense intended, I hope no one thinks I have a bad/different impression of teachers; My wife is a school nurse, my father retired from the school system haveing been a coach/principal/transportation director, I am a substitute teacher, a friend I am on the deer lease with is/was a teacher....
"Susie Schoolteacher" was just the first stereotype that I came up with.

And, by the way, most of the school empoyees i know, are very right wing.

No prob mrfixit! just wanted to get it out there that we're not all a bunch of pacifists who would freak out at the sight of an armed civilian. I'd bet it's more likely the parents and students would freak out if thet knew I carry everywhere it's legal. Noticed just now in my prior post that I STILL can't tell my right from LEFT!

[longtooth]

Hey fixit, I sub too. Principal at the high school has CHL too. Several teachers at our range.