Driving and carrying
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 3:23 pm
I received my CHL back about the first of March 06, and purchased a High Noon holster IWB for my CZ75 compact for carry purposes. Over the next month or so I got accustomed to carrying it whenever possible, as my work does not allow me to carry. It was not long and I was carrying everywhere except work and found that my choice of holster seemed to fit my needs without a problem.
In May we had to make an emergency trip to Michigan and I did not have the time to research the laws of each state that we would be driving thru on such a short notice. Reluctantly I left my weapon at home and the trip was made.
While in MI. we had an encounter that reaffirmed my desire to get my CHL in the first place. My wife and I were returning to our hotel room at about 10pm, the parking lot was lit but not well lit. As I parked the vehicle I noticed a single male standing just outside the entrance to the hotel smoking a cigarette. Before my wife could open her door I told her to wait, I wanted to see what this person was doing or would do. We had waited about a minute when another patron of the hotel parked and then exited their vehicle and headed for the entrance. About the time they got near the door this person in the shadows moved forward and stepped in front of them blocking their access. As they tried to pass around them he again moved to block their access. At this time I triggered my vehicle alarm which caused this person to rethink whatever he was thinking and he quickly vamoosed. While all this was happening the wife had dialed 911 and informed them of what was taking place.
Shortly thereafter a patrol car arrived and we gave him all the details we could. We had no further problems as we left to head back to Texas the following morning.
Fast forward to three weeks ago, again an emergency trip was required to be made to Michigan. This time I was a little more prepared and had done my research beforehand. I knew which states and where I could carry and would be taking my weapon with me. It seems as if the wife had the same thought as she asked me as we locked up the house and headed out “do you have your gun?� Simple yes was answered and nothing further was said.
Leaving from central Texas to Flint MI. is about a 21hr drive. The entire time I had my weapon on my person in an IWB. I never had any discomfort while on the drive, and the first day was a 12hr drive. Nearing the end of our second day on the road, we were about 40 miles inside the MI state line when the wife needed to stop for a break to stretch her legs.
We pulled into a rest area and parked away from the restroom area near a picnic area. We both got out of the truck and started walking around until the wife needed to use the restroom. As she headed off, I dropped the tailgate and had a seat. Not more than 30 seconds had passed when a MI state trooper pulled into the rest area and pulled into a spot adjacent to mine. He exited his vehicle and walked around it when he made mention of my being from Texas. I answered that yes we were, but that I and my wife were both originally from MI. He then started with a little chit chat and then questioned why we were in MI. I explained there had been a death in the family recently and we were here to address some legal matters.
The trooper then asked if he could look in my vehicle. I was somewhat shocked by the request and replied “is this an official request?� He replied he could make it one. I then advised him I would produce my ID for him at which point he would be more than welcome to search my vehicle. I then preceded to hand him my DL and my CHL. When it registered to him what he was looking at he hesitated for a second, at which point I advised him I was armed and it was IWB right side. His first comment was “I doubt you’re the one were interested in�. He then informed me they were targeting smugglers and with my plates being from Texas he just thought he would check. I advised him he could check all he wanted to.
It was about this time my wife returned from the restroom and made her introduction. When the trooper introduced himself my wife stated she had known another state trooper with the same name some 30 yrs prior. Low and behold this trooper was the son and we all sat there and laughed until we had to get back on the road.
After it was about over the trooper looked at me and said that the whole time we were talking he never could confirm if I had a weapon on me or not. I advised him it is there and pulled my shirt tight so it would print. He just shook his head and said damn!
We concluded our business and again returned to Texas without incident, but I will always carry whenever possible, even if I have to go somewhat out of my way to do it.
In May we had to make an emergency trip to Michigan and I did not have the time to research the laws of each state that we would be driving thru on such a short notice. Reluctantly I left my weapon at home and the trip was made.
While in MI. we had an encounter that reaffirmed my desire to get my CHL in the first place. My wife and I were returning to our hotel room at about 10pm, the parking lot was lit but not well lit. As I parked the vehicle I noticed a single male standing just outside the entrance to the hotel smoking a cigarette. Before my wife could open her door I told her to wait, I wanted to see what this person was doing or would do. We had waited about a minute when another patron of the hotel parked and then exited their vehicle and headed for the entrance. About the time they got near the door this person in the shadows moved forward and stepped in front of them blocking their access. As they tried to pass around them he again moved to block their access. At this time I triggered my vehicle alarm which caused this person to rethink whatever he was thinking and he quickly vamoosed. While all this was happening the wife had dialed 911 and informed them of what was taking place.
Shortly thereafter a patrol car arrived and we gave him all the details we could. We had no further problems as we left to head back to Texas the following morning.
Fast forward to three weeks ago, again an emergency trip was required to be made to Michigan. This time I was a little more prepared and had done my research beforehand. I knew which states and where I could carry and would be taking my weapon with me. It seems as if the wife had the same thought as she asked me as we locked up the house and headed out “do you have your gun?� Simple yes was answered and nothing further was said.
Leaving from central Texas to Flint MI. is about a 21hr drive. The entire time I had my weapon on my person in an IWB. I never had any discomfort while on the drive, and the first day was a 12hr drive. Nearing the end of our second day on the road, we were about 40 miles inside the MI state line when the wife needed to stop for a break to stretch her legs.
We pulled into a rest area and parked away from the restroom area near a picnic area. We both got out of the truck and started walking around until the wife needed to use the restroom. As she headed off, I dropped the tailgate and had a seat. Not more than 30 seconds had passed when a MI state trooper pulled into the rest area and pulled into a spot adjacent to mine. He exited his vehicle and walked around it when he made mention of my being from Texas. I answered that yes we were, but that I and my wife were both originally from MI. He then started with a little chit chat and then questioned why we were in MI. I explained there had been a death in the family recently and we were here to address some legal matters.
The trooper then asked if he could look in my vehicle. I was somewhat shocked by the request and replied “is this an official request?� He replied he could make it one. I then advised him I would produce my ID for him at which point he would be more than welcome to search my vehicle. I then preceded to hand him my DL and my CHL. When it registered to him what he was looking at he hesitated for a second, at which point I advised him I was armed and it was IWB right side. His first comment was “I doubt you’re the one were interested in�. He then informed me they were targeting smugglers and with my plates being from Texas he just thought he would check. I advised him he could check all he wanted to.
It was about this time my wife returned from the restroom and made her introduction. When the trooper introduced himself my wife stated she had known another state trooper with the same name some 30 yrs prior. Low and behold this trooper was the son and we all sat there and laughed until we had to get back on the road.
After it was about over the trooper looked at me and said that the whole time we were talking he never could confirm if I had a weapon on me or not. I advised him it is there and pulled my shirt tight so it would print. He just shook his head and said damn!
We concluded our business and again returned to Texas without incident, but I will always carry whenever possible, even if I have to go somewhat out of my way to do it.
I stopped in Detroit once for about one hour and decided that in the future I would do without whatever I needed from there. I will not return to the state, no matter what the circumstance. I think I would have had a hard time making friends when I was told that my state of origin had been used as probable cause to stop....but hey, I am touchy like that. 