TexasCHLforum.com

cb1000rider wrote:

VMI77 wrote: Yeah, doesn't seem so unreasonable to me. It's a bad idea to have necessary papers or ID in the same place you've got a gun. I've never had an officer express any concern about the gun on my hip but I'd expect to be disarmed if I had to reach for something in the same place I kept a gun.

So how do they handle you reaching for your wallet with a gun on your hip?

It's not an issue for me because I don't carry ID in my wallet. If my wallet is lost or stolen I prefer to have retained my ID (it's in a neck wallet). Also, I have my ID in hand and both hands on the steering wheel by the time the officer gets to my car (light on inside too if it's dark out). If I was asked for insurance I'd have to reach into the glove box for it, at the officer's direction, but there won't be a gun in there. However, I can't even remember the last time I was asked for my insurance card.

If for some reason I had to reach for my wallet I expect it would be like others commenting have said. Wallet, left hip rear, gun right hip side. I'd be reaching for my wallet with my left hand, right hand on the steering wheel, after getting the go ahead from the officer. I don't take my hands off the steering wheel unless directed by the officer. I have no interest in causing alarm and getting shot.

BTW, I've never said "I'm armed." I just hand over my DL and CHL. About half the time the officer just hands it back and doesn't even mention it. The other half of the time he asks where I have the gun. I say on my right hip and that's the last it is mentioned. I've never been asked to disarm. I wouldn't be offended if asked to disarm but I would be a little concerned about the potential for an accident or misunderstanding due to handling the gun, so I'd ask exactly how he wanted me to remove the gun and what he wanted me to do with it.

Scott B. wrote:Sounds like an interesting fourth amendment issue. Did he ask your permission, or just told you that's the way it was going to be?

I'm pro law enforcement and wouldn't have said or done anything different. But, just for giggles - what if another driver or passenger of the vehicle had left a baggie of illicit substances in your console, or something like an unlabeled pill bottle?

If you're carrying contraband it would be really really dumb to put it in the same place you would have to reach for your insurance card during a traffic stop. If you're letting people who use and transport illicit substances use your vehicle or driving them around then I suppose you might as well expect to spend some time in jail --especially if they're dumb enough to put their contraband in your center console. I'd say that if someone is hanging out with those kind of people it's time for new friends...unless the person finds the prospect of jail time appealing.

TVGuy wrote:

mojo84 wrote:
I would recommend keeping your insurance card separate from where your gun is stored. That way you may be able to avoid being disarmed and/or a cop rifling through your console in the future.

This. Handgun in console, insurance in glove compartment.

Yeah, doesn't seem so unreasonable to me. It's a bad idea to have necessary papers or ID in the same place you've got a gun. I've never had an officer express any concern about the gun on my hip but I'd expect to be disarmed if I had to reach for something in the same place I kept a gun.