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So, a few friends of mine and I were extremely bored this evening. Being photographers, we decided to go to Downtown Dallas to take some photos. After a few hours down there we went to Downtown Fort Worth to do the same.

After that, we decided to head to Founders Plaza directly north of the DFW Airport to do some plane takeoff/final approach/landing trails. Mind you, it's now 1:00am, and the gates were wide open and we didn't notice a sign driving in that it was closed. So we're there about 15 minutes, and a car pulls up, and 2 officers get out and come up and start chatting with us. They asked us what we were doing, we explained, and then they said well, you know this place closed at 9:45. But one officer lit up a cigarette and said, "But you guys can keep going until I finish this."

This being my first contact, I was instantly nervous. I started to go over in my head if I were to tell them that I am a CHL or if it's okay not to tell them. I remembered that I dont have to tell them, but I respect the hell out of police and what they do, and as a courtesy, I should probably tell them. So I tell them, hey, I'm not sure if I HAVE to let you know, but out of courtesy, I'll let you know that I am a CHL, yes I do have my firearm on me. Now, here's where the rookie mistake occurred. One officer asked "Okay, where is your firearm?" And out of nervousness, I patted on my right hip and said "Right hip". He quickly said "now dont touch it". I quickly raised my right hand to my chest and replied yes sir. He then said "Just make sure I see your right hand at all times". I said yes sir again. He then goes "I'm not really sure you had to tell me, but I appreciate you telling me. In fact, I dont even think you have to tell us that you're a CHL when you get pulled over anymore..."

So after that, we just talked about photography and what my other profession is, and after he finished his cigarette, he said "Well boys lets pack it up" and we all parted ways.

Very positive experience. And a mental note, NEVER tap your firearm when asked where it is!

FYI, only when they ask for ID do you need to show them the CHL.
Then an only then, if they ask are you carrying do you have to tell them.

and yes, when they pull you over you (and again, ask for ID) you do have to show the CHL
they removed the penalty for not showing the ID, but the law still says you have to.

Oh I know, it was just in the "moment" my brain went "uhhh duhhhh hurr durr".

But out of courtesy I went ahead and told them. It was kinda one of those "If I was them, I'd like to know" situations.

un0fficial wrote:Oh I know, it was just in the "moment" my brain went "uhhh duhhhh hurr durr".

But out of courtesy I went ahead and told them. It was kinda one of those "If I was them, I'd like to know" situations.

I say you did the right thing

I would say you did right by telling them, I know I would have and atleast now I know not to tap my weapon

I do some photography myself, mostly youth sports and motocross stuff but have yet to make it out to Founders... and I live 5 minutes from there.

ALCSTUDIOS wrote:I would say you did right by telling them, I know I would have and atleast now I know not to tap my weapon

I do some photography myself, mostly youth sports and motocross stuff but have yet to make it out to Founders... and I live 5 minutes from there.

What tracks do you usually frequent?

Mx217 wrote:

ALCSTUDIOS wrote:I would say you did right by telling them, I know I would have and atleast now I know not to tap my weapon

I do some photography myself, mostly youth sports and motocross stuff but have yet to make it out to Founders... and I live 5 minutes from there.

What tracks do you usually frequent?

I must be honest, I haven't been out much this year because I'm a fair weather guy and don't do well in the cold, my favorite place to photo is River Valley, Oak hill and Village creek, I do like Burleson alot too but it's just not as "open" as the other tracks.

ALCSTUDIOS wrote:

Mx217 wrote:

ALCSTUDIOS wrote:I would say you did right by telling them, I know I would have and atleast now I know not to tap my weapon

I do some photography myself, mostly youth sports and motocross stuff but have yet to make it out to Founders... and I live 5 minutes from there.

What tracks do you usually frequent?

I must be honest, I haven't been out much this year because I'm a fair weather guy and don't do well in the cold, my favorite place to photo is River Valley, Oak hill and Village creek, I do like Burleson alot too but it's just not as "open" as the other tracks.

That's cool. I'm actually going to River Valley in the afternoon tomorrow. I love the red dirt out there! I learned to ride at village creek when I was ten years old so I practically grew up there. It's a great track that's close by. I raced at Burleson last year for the first time. It's definitely an old school style track but still super fun! Oak hill and now underground are some of the top facilities in the state right now, just quite a haul to drive to from where I'm at. If you ever see a guy on a #217 honda wearing fluorescent orange and yellow troy lee designs gear(hard to miss lol) come say hi! It's always nice to meet a fellow gun enthusiast that's into MX!

Nice

texanjoker wrote:

un0fficial wrote:Oh I know, it was just in the "moment" my brain went "uhhh duhhhh hurr durr".

But out of courtesy I went ahead and told them. It was kinda one of those "If I was them, I'd like to know" situations.

I say you did the right thing

And I think it was totally unnecessary. For one reason or another, I've had probably a half-dozen such encounters in the last year. Something like I'm working late at the church and an officer stops by to check and we chat a while. I have never mentioned or thought the need to inform him I was carrying. If it doesn't require him asking for my ID, he has no need to know.

From the story, it seems as if the officers got neverous *after* you told them you were carrying. So things were better before.