TexasCHLforum.com

one eyed fatman wrote:This threads is kind of strange to listen to. In all my 53 years and all the times I have been pulled over by the law not one single time has any officer ever asked me if I had a gun in the car. Are people getting freaky here or have I just been real lucky?

Before I got a CHL, I had at least 2 police officers ask me if I had a gun during regular traffic stops. I did not and answered so and that was the end of it.

Years ago my uncle got stopped as he was driving thru West Texas. They asked him if he had any guns. He said yes. The officer said to show him where. Uncle showed him 2 rifles in the trunk. The officer asked if he had any more, my uncle told him he had a handgun under the drivers seat. Police officer checked out all the guns, but let my uncle go as he was most definitely traveling at the time.

Maybe they ask some people more than others?

stevie_d_64 wrote:What is Chucks big rub with this law???

I think he must be upset with the idea of people with no official license and training carring a handgun in their car(legally or not)... while it's always been legal to carry a rifle or shotgun. Makes perfect sense

I looked at HPD's crime statistics:

http://www.houstontx.gov/police/cs/pdfs ... ummary.pdf

The numbers HPD has for 'Unlawful weapon carrying, possession' are around 1100-1400 per year since the CHL law kicked in.

Since Rosenthal said: "Last year, this office handled about 5,000 weapons cases"... I would imagine that 3,000-4,000 weapons cases come from the other law enforcement agencies in the county.

Since Rosenthal said: "I do not expect a decrease in that number because of this change in the law." He must assume all the law enforcement agencies in the county are on the same page.

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As a side note, it is interesting that before the CHL law kicked, HPD had around 1,800 to 3,200 'Unlawful weapon carrying, possession' cases per year. That's almost twice as many.

txinvestigator wrote:

Paladin wrote:

txinvestigator wrote:

Paladin wrote:
If they find a handgun(on or about your person without a CHL), they will arrest you.

Who are they? Houston City Police, Harris County Sherrif, Harris Constables?

Where did you get this information that "they" WILL arrest you?

Rosenthal said as much publically. I would suppose all police in Harris county that take direction from the Harris County DA. More than just HPD. I have personal knowledge that its true.

NO LE agency talkes direction from any DA. It does not work that way. LEO's get their directives from the agency where they work.

I hate to do it, but I am calling bull on your assertation that any LE agency in Harris County is under direction of Rosenthal. I all call bull that "If they find a handgun(on or about your person without a CHL), they will arrest you.".

If he gets a UCW case, I believe he will prosecute.

What is this "personal knowledge"?

txinvestigator,

I have personal knowledge that this has indeed happened. You can cover your eyes and ears and pretend this stuff isn't happening all you want, but I can assure you it's true.

I've never been an LEO, but I know for a fact that DA's do indeed inform LEOs on the law. Your average cop is not a lawyer and gets legal information from their local DA's office.

And as far as calling bull... I'm going to have to call bull on your signature line. That quote "Speed is Fine, but accuracy is final" is a 19th century quote from Wyatt Earp (personal knowledge).

KinnyLee wrote:This kinda sucks, but wouldn't this encourage more people to actually apply for their CHL?

The CHL does look pretty cheap by comparison. Or maybe people will just carry long-guns instead of handguns.

txinvestigator wrote:

Paladin wrote:
If they find a handgun(on or about your person without a CHL), they will arrest you.

Who are they? Houston City Police, Harris County Sherrif, Harris Constables?

Where did you get this information that "they" WILL arrest you?

Rosenthal said as much publically. I would suppose all police in Harris county that take direction from the Harris County DA. More than just HPD. I have personal knowledge that its true.

In the future I may be able to give more details, but for now all I can say is that I've got some inside info on how Car-Carry of a handgun(on or about your person without a CHL) is being currently being handled in Harris County.

If you are stopped by police for any reason, they may ask you if you have a gun. If you've got a CHL, you know what to do. If you don't have a CHL, don't lie, but don't say you've got one. And also, don't consent to a search. It may keep you out of further trouble.

If they find a handgun(on or about your person without a CHL), they will arrest you.

Bond for Unlawful Carry of a Weapon starts at $1,000 in Harris County. Bond is more with any kind of criminal history.

Bail Bondsmen will charge 12% plus fees (Over $200 between bond and fees)

Even if you are legal under the current traveling law, you will be charged with Unlawful Carry of a Weapon. A Class A Misdeamenor punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000 and/or confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year.

The Prosecutor may plead ignorance as to knowing about any change in the traveling law.

Even if you are completely legal under the new law and have done nothing else, expect the Prosecutor to ask for a guilty plea with time served and to give up your gun forever.

Most people would be rather intimidated by this time.

At this point you need a lawyer or you're going to have a serious conviction on your record. Plan on making lots of trips to the court house as well.

A criminal defense lawyer will probably want several thousand dollars up front for your defense.

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I certainly don't agree with any of this, but it's what's going on right now.

The Harris County DA has said "Last year, this office handled about 5,000 weapons cases. I do not expect a decrease in that number because of this change in the law."

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mp ... al/3330477

So it would seem that Rosenthal is content to prosecute hundreds-or even-thousands of people per year who are legal under the Texas traveling law.