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Motorist Protection Act
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:18 pm
by Animal Cop
Does this apply to people that are coming from another state, or just to Texas residents. Can anyone provide a link to the Motorist Protection Act. Thanks in advance for the help.
Animal Cop
Re: Motorist Protection Act
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:22 pm
by seamusTX
It applies to any person, regardless of residency.
Here is a thorough discussion of it, including a link to the text of the bill:
http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... =23&t=7834" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Jim
Re: Motorist Protection Act
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:21 pm
by Animal Cop
Thanks for the response.
Animal Cop
Re: Motorist Protection Act
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:36 pm
by seamusTX
If you have friends coming from out of state, please urge them to really understand this law, particularly the concealment requirement.
Some states allow you to carry a handgun openly in a vehicle, and some require it to be visible if you don't have a concealed-carry license. Someone from one of those states could get into trouble by following the rules that they are used to.
The old traveling exception still exists, but so do the old questions about what constitutes traveling.
- Jim
Re: Motorist Protection Act
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:37 pm
by bdickens
My understanding of the Motorist Protection Act is that it eliminated the "traveling" bit and just made it legal to carry a handgun in your car period (assuming, of course, that you are a law-abiding citizen in the first place).
Chuck Rosenthal is my hero!
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Re: Motorist Protection Act
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:41 pm
by seamusTX
The traveling exception has been there as long as it has been a crime to carry a handgun in Texas. It applies to people who are walking, riding a bicycle, riding a horse, or using any other means of transportation.
It is pretty much irrelevant to someone who is driving a motor vehicle.
- Jim
Re: Motorist Protection Act
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 7:21 pm
by stevie_d_64
Re: Motorist Protection Act
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 11:41 am
by Rex B
seamusTX wrote:The traveling exception has been there as long as it has been a crime to carry a handgun in Texas. It applies to people who are walking, riding a bicycle, riding a horse, or using any other means of transportation.
It is pretty much irrelevant to someone who is driving a motor vehicle.
- Jim
So are you saying that the same rules that now allow pretty much unrestricted motor vehicle carry applies to someone biking, or hiking, or riding a horse, CHL or no?
Re: Motorist Protection Act
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 11:51 am
by seamusTX
No, I am not saying that.
A traveler can carry a handgun (or "illegal knife" or club). You just have to convince the police that you're a traveler.
The Motorist Protection Act specifies motor vehicles.
- Jim
Re: Motorist Protection Act
Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:31 pm
by mls700
I'm going to print a copy of the
Motorist Protection Act and keep it in my glovebox.
It would not surprise me to learn that some police officers don't know the law.
Be a Boy scout and stay prepared
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Re: Motorist Protection Act
Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:35 pm
by seamusTX
Welcome to the forum. Please introduce yourself.
It can't hurt to carry around a printed copy, but after three years I suppose most officers know the "new" law.
The few cases of harassment that have come to light probably would have gone down the same regardless of what the person had said or shown to the police.
- Jim
Re: Motorist Protection Act
Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 9:40 pm
by mls700
Thank you for the welcome Jim.
I'm 52 yrs young, grew up in Pasadena,Tx. spent 3 yrs at Fort Bragg, NC as an 11B1pp4. (Infantry - anti-tank, TOW)
I've just purchase my first handgun in 20 years. It's a Glock model 22, 3rd generation. It was on sale at the local gun show for $485.00
Anyway, I went shooting last week and realized that this is a lot of fun and I'm still a pretty good shot. :tiphat
For the last 29 years I've worked at the same chemical plant doing engineering work.
My kids are grown and not it's just me and my wonderful wife. She is excited about going shooting with me and acquiring the CHL.
Re: Motorist Protection Act
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:39 am
by seamusTX
Good luck with everything. The MPA is a good law as far as it goes, but I think everyone who is eligible is better off with a "good guy card" (CHL).
- Jim