Critique my pre-CHL carry strategy plz.

[TexasComputerDude]

Hey yall, I was wondering if yall could find any problem with the way I have been thinking about carrying, I'm almost 60 days into my application and haven't received my chl yet.

Basically, I live out in the deep country, its 3 miles to a highway and 15 miles into town. When I get dressed I put my pistol in its holster and walk out the door and get into my truck. I then go to one of our family businesses, and get out and do whatever it is I need to do there.

If I have to go somewhere that isn't on property owned by my family or where I don't have permission I just take the gun out of its holster and put it in the center console of my truck.


I am legal doing this right? or is it a bad idea even if it is legal.

[seamusTX]

It sounds legal to me, and given where you live, no one would give it a second thought.

The tactical problem that I see is that if some bum breaks into your truck, he easily gets your pistol, and you might return to find him armed and waiting for you.

- Jim

[TexasComputerDude]

It sounds legal to me, and given where you live, no one would give it a second thought.

The tactical problem that I see is that if some bum breaks into your truck, he easily gets your pistol, and you might return to find him armed and waiting for you.

- Jim

well, I really don't leave my truck where its easily available to break into. On the occasion that I do, I'm usually leaving to go on a supply run with my dad so I just keep it with me. Our town has a few _____'s but I learned that if I give them a buck or two sometimes they will generally be pretty helpful and watch out for anybody going to do anything to our stuff. Simple security that doesn't cost much more than helping a guy out with a few cents.

[fm2]

If I have to go somewhere that isn't on property owned by my family or where I don't have permission I just take the gun out of its holster and put it in the center console of my truck.

I like to put the gun in a holster or at least a gun rug in the console.

[TexasComputerDude]

I have a clean protective rag in there to put the gun on, plus, I don't keep anything but the gun in the center console. I may save up for a holster or lockbox for it, but right now my system is decent and as I'm a college student, I've taken a temporary vow of poverty.

edit: my center console is a huge one being that I drive a 03 silverado. I can prob. fit 3 handguns in there.

I'm can't stand to have junk or papers in my center console, its just a pet peeve of mine.

I don't expect my chl to take longer than a month to get to me, and once it does my glock 30 or kimber ultra carry (once i've saved up the funds) will never leave my possession.

Maybe I should invent a pair of boxer, underwear, or pajama holsters for comfortable carry around the house.

[E10]

I don't expect my chl to take longer than a month to get to me...

Don't bet next semester's tuition. Some of us have been waitin' more than 100 days.

Beretta has a 'Security Pack', "featuring eXomesh’s revolutionary high-tensile stainless steel cable core," they're "slash-proof, snatch-proof, and tamper-proof." I'm gettin' one. They're on sale right now, along with a lotta other nice stuff.

http://www.berettausa.com/ click 'e-store', 'Special Deals', and 'Clearance Items'.

[thejtrain]

I don't expect my chl to take longer than a month to get to me...

Don't bet next semester's tuition. Some of us have been waitin' more than 100 days.

Yep - at the moment they seem to be shipping completed CHLs that were received in March, with a couple of Aprils slipping in early. See my sig. If you mean not much longer than a month from now, well you might not be far off - 6 weeks from now would put you @ 95 days so it'll likely be right around there (unless the CHL office slows down even more - heaven forfend).

[LedJedi]

yep, looks legal to me.

quick question to others though...

the law clearly states that OC on your own property is not an offense as well as in your place of business, BUT... can a NON-CHL conceal carry on his own property or place of business? Could the fact that he's concealing get him whacked with a concealed weapon charge since he's technically not a CHL at the moment?

This brings about another question i've pondered....

You have a chl and carry concealed into a gun range to practice. You get up to the line and pull your concealed weapon out to shoot. You're breaking concealment at that point even though the business is firearms related and it's assumed you're legal to shoot there. Is this an offense?

[seamusTX]

Penal Code 46.02 states that it is an offense to carry a handgun (among other things) on or about your person except on premises that you own or control. (I'm leaving out the complicated vehicle provisions). There is no mention of open or concealed carry on premises that you own or control.

PC 46.15 gives the exceptions to 46.02. They include traveling, hunting, and engaging in shooting sports. In those cases, you do not need a CHL to carry a handgun and you do not need to conceal it.

You have to think back to the 19th century, when these laws were written. Someone riding his horse from Abilene to Amarillo could strap on a Peacemaker and be on his way.

- Jim

[barres]

There are three exceptions to UCW (Unlawful Carry of a Weapon). One is to have your CHL (PC§46.15(b)(5)). Another is to be on property you own or is under your control (PC§46.02(a)(1)). It does not say anything about the manner in which you carry on that property, so conceal if you want or OC if you want. The third exception is carrying at or to a sporting event where a firearm is used, such as hunting or a range where a competition or practice is held(PC§46.15(b)(3)). Therefore you could OC to the range from home and not be guilty of UCW, but you might be hassled about it if you're pulled over on your way there .

[seamusTX]

That is precisely correct. You do not have to conceal or have a CHL when you are on your way to or from a range. The problem is pesuading the nice policeman that you are really doing that, and you are on the most direct route.

Stopping at Dairy Queen in that condition might not turn out well.

Not directly relevant to Texas, but last year, in New York City, a woman in a wheelchair who had the appropriate permits was on her way to a range when a criminal tried to rob her. She gave him a dose of .357 Magnum and was not even arrested. (Of course, they could not have found a jury to convict her if they tried.)

- Jim

[The Annoyed Man]

I don't expect my chl to take longer than a month to get to me...

Good luck with that.

FWIW, I have noticed owners/employees open carrying inside their place of business on several occasions. The two most recent that I recall: one was the employee of a popular indoor shooting range in Ft Worth; the other was the owner of a taxidermy shop in northeast Tarrant County.

In the first case, I doubt that anyone cares - unless it was out of envy.

In the second case, the man does very expensive mounts of exotic animals taken on African safaris, and my guess is that the finished but still unclaimed mounts in his shop are worth an extraordinary amount of money. However, if you want to rob the place, you'll have to get past the smell inside before you can even confront the owner, and you'd better bring a big truck and a forklift because some of those mounts are huge...

[flb_78]

I've taken a temporary vow of poverty.

I drive a 03 silverado.

[propellerhead]

Take the magazine and +1 round with you when you leave it in your truck. The downside is more handling of the gun. The upside is less chances of coming back to your truck and finding an armed bad guy.

[LedJedi]

Take the magazine and +1 round with you when you leave it in your truck. The downside is more handling of the gun. The upside is less chances of coming back to your truck and finding an armed bad guy.

I'd take the slide too. less chances of coming back to the gun being gone. magazines are easy to get. slide assemblies with all the barrel, spring, rod, etc aren't so much. I believe the legal portion of the gun is considered to be the frame so I doubt you'd be breaking any laws.