TexasCHLforum.com

bigcarl64 wrote:Easy solution is to put a plastic sticker of similar color on the gun covering the serial number. I have not found anything in TX statutes that prohibits covering the serial number. No more plain sight.

That sounds like a bad idea to me. You just covered the serial number. It's enough to trigger interest some LEO interest... Assuming that covering the serial doesn't serve a practical purpose (like a grip) - then you just provided a fact that is probably material in justifying a search.

I don't like the fact that the serial can be run either, but as the firearm can be removed from your person, that's just how it is.. There are bigger points of contention that I'm concerned about.

nightmare69 wrote:I seriously doubt a CHL holder would be carrying a stolen gun. I know I would feel at ease around a armed CHL holder as do most LEOs that I've asked.

How do you know? I buy guns from private parties from time to time.. I'm not talking about a back alley, but I do buy from people I don't know otherwise.
It's much easier for me to run a VIN than it is a firearm serial number. All I can do is get the name and info of the person that sold me the firearm.

Buying it and then taking it to law enforcement, if it is stolen, is about like the lady that bought crack and took it to the PD to prove that her neighbor was dealing... It's not going to work out very well.

Why can't we have a simple interface for checking if a firearm is lost/stolen/involved in a crime? What am I missing?

Texas1999 wrote:If an LEO ran the serial number of my gun after disarming me, I would have to question what gave him reasonable suspicion or probable cause to believe my gun was stolen/used in a crime/etc. and thus allowed him to legally run the serial number and "investigate" the status of my gun.

You can ask, but he/she doesn't have to discuss that with you. In fact, if he/she wanted to keep things calm and cool, they should probably pass on discussing it with you.

jbarn wrote: Right. We would jump up and down, and rightfully so, if your GPS device, laptop, camera, etc was run for stolen on every traffic stop. Why is our firearm different? I have no disagreement with disclosing I carry, or surrendering the handgun if an officer wants to. But running serials is just wrong, IMO.

Look I don't agree with the serial number check either.
On the cell phone issue, if officers get it in their hands incident or as part of a search and it's unlocked, courts have ruled it fair game.
Since the "safety" of the officer is the reason for disarming you, I can see the natural extension of the court's current latitude until a ruling changes it..