bounty hunters?

[rguerra911]

i was watching a new show about bounty hunters and noticed that they open carried rifles and handguns. they even had badges. does texas allow this? the last time i checked "bounty hunters had to be licensed p.i.. and that does not allow any kind of badges or open carry. just wondering.

rob

[txinvestigator]

i was watching a new show about bounty hunters and noticed that they open carried rifles and handguns. they even had badges. does texas allow this? the last time i checked "bounty hunters had to be licensed p.i.. and that does not allow any kind of badges or open carry. just wondering.

rob

In Texas a person who conducts bail enforcement must be EITHER a Private Investigator working for a Licensed company OR a Commissioned Guard working for a licensed company. Doing so without registration is a third degree felony.

They must follow all rules regarding uniforms and the carry of weapons. A quick summary;

Commissioned guards must be in a distinctive uniform and the weapon must be in plain view. Under Texas law, commissioned guards can carry a shotgun if certified, but rifles are not permitted. Badges are permitted, but the badge or uniform cannot have the State Seal or State Flag, or wear anything or make any statement with the intent to
give an impression that the person is connected with the federal government, a state government, or a political
subdivision of a state government; or use a title, an insignia, or an identification card or wear a uniform containing the designation “police.�

Also they cannot display a badge, shoulder patch, logo or any other identification which contains the words "Law Enforcement" and/or similar word(s) including, but not limited to: agent, enforcement agent, detective, task force, fugitive recovery agent or any other combination of names which gives the impression that the bearer is in any way connected with
the federal government, state government or any political subdivision of a state government.

sources; Texas Occupations Code 1702 and the Texas Administrative Code


PIs cannot carry a handgun under the authority of their PI registration, but they are NOT prohibited from carrying under their CHL if the have one. Open carry is not allowed for PIs acting as Bail Enforcement.

PIs CAN wear a badge too. PIs are also not restricted regarding rifle or shotgun carry under the Private Security laws.

Hope this helps.

[dustyb]

I enjoy the program, but am amazed they have not been shot. It is my understanding from the show that they can legally "break and enter" into a home that is listed on the bail application, or that they "know" the bail jumper is in. I don't believe that would work as well in Texas, as it does in California.

Thanks for all of the information, txinvestigator, that is very interesting. I am glad to see that "bounty hunters" are regulated in Texas.

[dustyb]

They might have a hard time getting a whole season's worth of footage filmed. I am glad Robert Dick, the younger guy on the show, got rid of his mullet for the new series. I have seen another, older Bounty Hunter program where he was sporting a full plumage mullet.

[nedmoore]

Dusty is right! That dudes mullet was the MULLET OF ALL MULLETS! I for one will miss it! We need more mullets out there! I would like a forum on this site for CHL's with mullets, photos of hair and guns!

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

Business in the front, party in the back!!!

[stoneface]

txinvestigator--

Do you have a cite for the section of the law where rifles are not permitted for commissioned officers? Just curious as this issue has come up where I work. I don't remember anything on it one way or another when I took my commission school.

stoneface

[txinvestigator]

txinvestigator--

Do you have a cite for the section of the law where rifles are not permitted for commissioned officers? Just curious as this issue has come up where I work. I don't remember anything on it one way or another when I took my commission school.

stoneface

(d) Commissioned security officers or personal protection officers shall carry only a firearm of the category with which they have been formally trained and of which training documentation is on file with the board. Firearm categories will be shown on the individual's registration card and will be:

(1) SA: any handgun, whether semi-automatic or not,

(2) NSA: handguns that are not semi-automatic,

(3) STG: any shotgun.


http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/rea ... h=35&rl=34

[KD5NRH]

(d) Commissioned security officers or personal protection officers shall carry only a firearm of the category with which they have been formally trained and of which training documentation is on file with the board. Firearm categories will be shown on the individual's registration card and will be:

(1) SA: any handgun, whether semi-automatic or not,

(2) NSA: handguns that are not semi-automatic,

(3) STG: any shotgun.

That's interesting; I know a few of the folks working at the nuclear plant nearby, and they're commissioned private security. I was under the impression that they are carrying rifles.

[Rokyudai]

Dusty is right! That dudes mullet was the MULLET OF ALL MULLETS! I for one will miss it! We need more mullets out there! I would like a forum on this site for CHL's with mullets, photos of hair and guns!

ah yes....Business up front and party in the back!

TacTex...we are on the same wavelength~

[rguerra911]

txinvestigator,

i was checking around a couple web sites and found one that says PIs can not wear anything that would give the impression that the person was connected to a federal government or state government. so would this mean that PIs can not wear a badge? just wodering....


http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/pi.aspx

[txinvestigator]

txinvestigator,

i was checking around a couple web sites and found one that says PIs can not wear anything that would give the impression that the person was connected to a federal government or state government. so would this mean that PIs can not wear a badge? just wodering....


http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/pi.aspx

No, it does not mean that. I would NEVER wear or even use a badge as a PI, but I know several who do. They say things like "private investigator", which does not violate the law.

[txinvestigator]

(d) Commissioned security officers or personal protection officers shall carry only a firearm of the category with which they have been formally trained and of which training documentation is on file with the board. Firearm categories will be shown on the individual's registration card and will be:

(1) SA: any handgun, whether semi-automatic or not,

(2) NSA: handguns that are not semi-automatic,

(3) STG: any shotgun.

That's interesting; I know a few of the folks working at the nuclear plant nearby, and they're commissioned private security. I was under the impression that they are carrying rifles.

I would not doubt that they are. ;)

[BrassMonkey]

Weren't you a cop Jeff? Did you ever have run in's with PI's who were wannabees?

txinvestigator,

i was checking around a couple web sites and found one that says PIs can not wear anything that would give the impression that the person was connected to a federal government or state government. so would this mean that PIs can not wear a badge? just wodering....


http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/pi.aspx

No, it does not mean that. I would NEVER wear or even use a badge as a PI, but I know several who do. They say things like "private investigator", which does not violate the law.