TexasCHLforum.com

Yes, some people are confused as to when they have to produce their CHL. You may get varying responses to this question by intelligent, well intentioned CHL holders.

So, when carrying only, if I.D. or D.L. is requested by an LEO, we CHLers have an obligation to show our CHL. Understood. Which, I have no qualms about doing. Why would anyone who is a law abiding citizen?

My confusion existed because I thought one didn't HAVE to produce it if unarmed and that it was the CHLer's OPTION to show it as a courtesy if so chooses.

And please forgive me for being dense, but posting the exact wording of laws as they exist on the books isn't always illuminating for me. (I suspect I'm not alone)

In fact, such arcane wording very often needs interpretation by a plain speaking lawyer for the average citizen to comprehend.

If I sound a bit frustrated, I am, but not in any person's direction.

I think, (maybe I'm wrong too) we have two schools of thought on producing our CHL when it's not required by law. Those who do it automatically as a courtesy and those who'd rather not if it's not absolutely required by law.

Am I wrong?

Has the law changed or am I slipping?

When I got my first CHL, I could swear if an officer stopped me while driving, I didn't HAVE to show my CHL unless requested. In fact, there were some officers who would get huffy because they hadn't requested it if you produced without request. At least, that's what our instructor relayed to us.

So which is it - Automatically produce it with your D.L. or only when it's requested?

P.S. My wife was NOT carrying when about 2 yrs. or so ago she was stopped for a minor traffic violation. She produced her CHL along with her D.L. and the officer told her it was a very good thing she had also produced her CHL or she would've been mighty P.O.'d.

So, it seems both the CHL holders and the law are confused.

(To the officers credit, she encouraged my wife to carry and was concerned for my wife's safety with her traveling without her handgun.)