TexasCHLforum.com

I have heard things like this. A friend of mine was reluctant to get his CHL because he said that CHL holders are held to a higher degree of accountability (i.e. may be judged more harshly if they use their weapon improperly). He even mentioned that there was a case where a prosecutor argued that the very act of getting the CHL implied premeditation. I don't know if that's true or not, and of course the argument sounds ludicrous to me.

Even if some of this is true, I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. It resolves a lot of ambiguity about borderline situations where you might or might not be okay to carry as a non-CHL. (e.g. I arrive home in my driveway and am carrying concealed pursuant to the Motorist Protection Act (MPA). Is it okay for me to walk out to the center of my cul-de-sac to get the mail before going into my house? Without a CHL, maybe not. With a CHL it's clearly okay.) A CHL also eliminates the need to disarm before you step out of your vehicle to fill up with gas, go into the mall, etc. How many times have we heard of people getting robbed at gas stations, parking lots, etc.? I'd rather not be one of these statistics.

Another ambiguity that a CHL resolves relates to the "Gun Free School Zone Act". If you're carrying in your vehicle pursuant to the MPA, but you drive within 1000 feet of a school, you have technically committed a federal felony. This law, of course, is ridiculous because in many areas it's pretty much impossible not to pass within 1000 feet of a school property line just driving around town. My understanding is that most local law enforcement are not that concerned with enforcing it unless you're already up to no good (e.g. dealing drugs near a school and packing heat at the same time). But still, if you get stopped for doing 5 mph over in a school zone and are carrying in your car as a non-CHL, and the cop is having a bad day or just wants to be a jerk, you might be going for a ride. However, if you have a Texas CHL, you're exempt from this as long as you're in Texas. (Carrying into school buildings and onto the actual grounds where school-sponsored functions are taking place is still forbidden, though.)

Also, there is the issue of dealing with law enforcement, traffic stops, etc. Each LEO is different, but on average people seem to report that CHL holders get hassled less because LEOs recognize you as one of the "good guys". It's not a "get out of jail free" card and it's not a license to drive as fast as you want without getting ticketed. But still, I have heard of instances where that piece of plastic seemed to smooth things over (e.g. "Okay, Mr. XXXX, just slow down, drive carefully, and have a nice day.")