Trooper at DPS office says no need to show CHL

[A-R]

Had to go to local DPS office to renew my TDL last week. I guess you can only renew online every other time because they want a new photo of you every other time. Anyway, took a number and prepared to wait. Then a state trooper came out and said she would take any renewals (which are quicker/easier process I guess) in a separate line to get us in and out quicker (MUCH APPRECIATED).

When it was finally my turn, she asked to see my license and I handed her both TDL & CHL and she politely said "I only need to see this if we're on the side of the road, sir" and handed the CHL back to me. I said "OK, thanks" and we proceeded with the renewal. But it left me wondering ...

She is a peace officer, in full uniform, who asked me for my ID. Wouldn't I have been in violation if I only showed her my TDL? I understand this would be different if it was just one of the plain clothes DPS employees conducting my rewnewal. But this was a trooper in uniform.

I actually did not have my gun on me at the time (was fairly sure it was "legal" to carry it inside the DPS office, but not 100% sure). So, after re-reading the code GC 411.205, I guess technically I did not have to show the CHL because I was not carrying. But this trooper had no way of knowing that. Seems to me that if I had been carrying it, then I would have been required to show the CHL. Correct?

[dicion]

The statute does not specify where you are. It specifies any time an officer asks for ID, and you are carrying, you must present both.

So no, you did not have to, but only because you were not carrying. If you were carrying, then by law, you were required to show your CHL. Guess the officer doesn't know it, but we've seen examples of plenty of officers not knowing the law on this forum already.

You did the right thing IMO :)

Better a "I didn't need to see that" then them typing in your DL# into the computer, and getting the Red 'CHL HOLDER" on their screen, without you telling them.

[joe817]

The statute does not specify where you are. It specifies any time an officer asks for ID, and you are carrying, you must present both.

So no, you did not have to, but only because you were not carrying. If you were carrying, then by law, you were required to show your CHL. Guess the officer doesn't know it, but we've seen examples of plenty of officers not knowing the law on this forum already.

You did the right thing IMO :)

Better a "I didn't need to see that" then them typing in your DL# into the computer, and getting the Red 'CHL HOLDER" on their screen, without you telling them.

and would have done the exact same thing. Good job.

[longtooth]

Same response here but I would have been armed.
In Greenville this past Friday Mom & I went to the DPS office where a cousan of mine works. We got ther & were directed to here area. When we got there BIG SIGN saying "Secure Area". Told Mom to go in & let me hold your purse.

No issues w/ anyone asking Qs.
Left w/o incident. While there I did see a hat w/ a Flag on it so walked that way to start a conversation & he was also wearing a Ga ga ga glllaa, T-Shirt. (Yall know that word I cant say.)
Good talk til Mom finished & we went to the house.

[quidni]

While there I did see a hat w/ a Flag on it so walked that way to start a conversation & he was also wearing a Ga ga ga glllaa, T-Shirt. (Yall know that word I cant say.)

You could just refer to it as "BT" - i.e. "ballistic tupperware." That would read as, "he was also wearing a BT T-shirt." We'd know what you meant.

[bryang]

I had the same thing happen to me when I moved and went to the DPS to get my address changed on my DL. I wasn't sure, but had rather make a little mistake and not a big mistake... anyway, she reached out to take them and she saw the CHL and jerked her hand back and said "We don't do that here!" I guess she thought I wanted it changed too, I don't know, but I said "thank you" and stuck it back in my pocket.

-geo

[jbirds1210]

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

[KFP]

LT must be in bed already... or is too ashamed to respond.

[Keith B]

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

That picture HAS to be 'Photoshopped'.

[jbirds1210]

Keith-

I could almost swear that you were standing there when the picture was taken. Maybe it was taken the year before I met you. Good stuff.

Jason

[stevie_d_64]

Now I have seen everything...

I'll do my best and put in a good word for ya LT...No guarantees...