This is incorrect. If you have a CHL, you are required by law to inform the officer. There is no penalty if you do not, but you will definitely not be on the officer's good side when he looks you up, finds out you have one and you didn't bother to tell him, especially if you are armed (which you should be). Given how some officers seem completely ignorant of the law, I wouldn't be surprised to see you arrested and charged with the misdemeanor that used to attach to that "crime".3dfxMM wrote:It doesn't say anything about passengers and the public having access to it. The under control part is in reference to the motor vehicle. It just means that if you are the driver it doesn't have to be your vehicle.
I am curious as to why you told him that you had a firearm. Unless he asks, there is no real reason to mention your firearm whether you have a CHL or not.
The September 2009 amendment removed the misdemeanor penalty.Texas Government Code Sec. 411.205. REQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY LICENSE. If a license holder is carrying a handgun on or about the license holder's person when a magistrate or a peace officer demands that the license holder display identification, the license holder shall display both the license holder's driver's license or identification certificate issued by the department and the license holder's handgun license.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 10.01(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 9.17(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1146, Sec. 12A.02, eff. September 1, 2009.