Requirement to Present CHL @ Time Of ID Request by Officer

[ClarkLZeuss]

Do LEOS keep silent when you show them your ID and CHL? The reason I'm asking is cause, what if you're driving your vehicle and you have passengers with you that don't know you're carrying your pistol and don't know you have a CHL, and you don't want them to know. Will LEOS ask you if you are armed in the presence of others? Anyone relate to this?.....Gracias.

I have no idea. But that brings up a question I've been wondering: if you're carrying, is presenting your CHL the only thing you're required by law to do? Or are you required to also announce that you're carrying?

[Bily Lovec]

I get pulled over fairly often, like every 3-4 months. (I drive too fast on the freeway)

geerally this is how it goes...
I kill the vehicle, roll down all windows (weather permitting) and have both hands on the top of the steering wheel holding my IDs/insurance.
If i have a pistol, the first thing they say and hear from me is I have a CHL. then they ask if i have a weapon and where is it and not to reach or point, just say where.Ive never had one ask to see it. yada yada yada.... never had any problem.

If im not carrying, I do all the above except I never mention the CHL. Ive NEVER had one question wether I had one or not. I prolly have not had a weapon, 3-4 times.

[llama]

So, if LEOS don't care to expose me as a CHL holder, how can I keep my passengers from knowing that I'm armed? Would it make matters worse if when asked for ID, and as I show my CHL, tell the LEO "yes, (meaning I'm armed) Please keep it private.(Meaning don't let my passengers know.)??????. I just don't want to let it be known that I carry. The less people to know. the better.

[Frost]

So, if LEOS don't care to expose me as a CHL holder, how can I keep my passengers from knowing that I'm armed? Would it make matters worse if when asked for ID, and as I show my CHL, tell the LEO "yes, (meaning I'm armed) Please keep it private.(Meaning don't let my passengers know.)??????. I just don't want to let it be known that I carry. The less people to know. the better.

This has been discussed before. You have a variety of bad options.

1. Hope he does not say anything
2. Pass him a note
3. Try to verbally communicate your desire for discretion without letting the cat out of the bag

I would suggest 1 or 3 simply because i don't know how he would react to a note. Personally i would say "If you have any questions about my ID i would prefer not answer them in front of my passengers." Because I wouldn't mind telling the passengers to mind their own business when that piques their curiosity.

[battalion74]

Their was a time when I was carrying that I was pulled over by a Kingsville PD officer for failing to use turn signal. I was turning into the Wal-Mart at the time. I turned on my interior lights and put my hands on the top of my steering wheel. I waited for him to approach my window before lowering it. He asked for license and registration and I also handed him my CHL, also stating that I had my pistol with me. At the time I had my Beretta 92 on a shoulder harness on left side, I just pointed at my left side and he made a move to back away from my truck and put his hand on his pistol, still holstered though. Followed by him telling me not to touch my pistol, I in response told him I was just pointing where it was. He then reached in my truck, reached into my jacket, unsnapped my pistol and laid it on top of my truck.
He then moved to his vehicle, me guessing his running my ID, then 2 other police cars show up behind him. At this time I started wondering why he called for backup, but I didn't ask. He then came back and told me why he pulled me over and warned me to be careful next time. Then he stated that I can get out of my truck and retrieve my pistol from the top of my truck once he drives away.
Never told anyone else about this, even when I renewed my CHL twice.

[llama]

Thank you Frost. I guess every incident when pulled over by a LEO will be different. However, I would assume that all LEOS should have the right common sense to understand that the "C" in CHL means" CONCEALED" so in other words meaning NO ONE SHOULD KNOW. I would also assume that having a CHL is not public information. Still ,I just wonder how LEOS feel when they they see a CHL. Do LEOS see us as a threat because we are armed, or would they feel more relaxed knowing that if you have a CHL , you would be considered a more responsible person because of state and federal background checks. Not everyone is elgible. I was just trying imagine that if I was a LEO, having a person showing me his CHL would give me a sight of relief and put a smile on my face. I'm just very proud of my CHL and the responsability that comes with it.CHL holders are very special persons who are on the side of the law.My respects.

[mctowalot]

Every once in awhile I have to go to the main HPD station in downtown to update permits. After passing through a metal detector you usually wait in a line to approach the "reception" desk officers. There is a big sign that states "have your Driver's Lic. or ID ready to show the officer at the desk" - yet I've watched folks ahead of me fumble through their pockets or handbags for these items after they reach the desk. Once presented the officers "run" them - presumably checking for warrants or what have you. And I've seen people arrested right then and there as they were not aware of oustanding tickets and the like.

Even though I'm not carrying, when I present my DL I hand them my CHL also and state clearly "I do not have my weapon with me". They will hand it right back but seem to appreciate the gesture. It saves them from having to ask the obvious since it's going to pop up when they run my license.

On that note I once noticed a "heated debate" between a CHL holder and a couple of Officers. Seemed the citizen wanted to enter the station armed ( legal? You tell me [please] , but worth debate when you have pressing business?) His rationale was that he "might need it in the parking lot when he left the station". As I walked to the elevator I heard one of the Officers offer to escort him to his car if he felt that scared .
(Before I get flamed I will admit I have heard of assaults or worse taking place in Police station parking lots - I thought about taking them up on the escort offer)

I got on the elevator and when I got to my floor I realized I had left some paperwork in my car and I only had 15 mins. to submit it or I'd have to come back the next day. I was worried that the line for the metal detector and what not would be too much of a delay but I went for it. The guy was still standing there arguing with the Officers! I told them I'd be right back, that I forgot my stuff. When I went back in they (still talking with this guy) made a point of waving me through security. The guy turned beat red. IMHO I think he should have just taken them up on the police escort offer and left his gun in car.

[Liberty]

Their was a time when I was carrying that I was pulled over by a Kingsville PD officer for failing to use turn signal. I was turning into the Wal-Mart at the time. I turned on my interior lights and put my hands on the top of my steering wheel. I waited for him to approach my window before lowering it. He asked for license and registration and I also handed him my CHL, also stating that I had my pistol with me. At the time I had my Beretta 92 on a shoulder harness on left side, I just pointed at my left side and he made a move to back away from my truck and put his hand on his pistol, still holstered though. Followed by him telling me not to touch my pistol, I in response told him I was just pointing where it was. He then reached in my truck, reached into my jacket, unsnapped my pistol and laid it on top of my truck.
He then moved to his vehicle, me guessing his running my ID, then 2 other police cars show up behind him. At this time I started wondering why he called for backup, but I didn't ask. He then came back and told me why he pulled me over and warned me to be careful next time. Then he stated that I can get out of my truck and retrieve my pistol from the top of my truck once he drives away.
Never told anyone else about this, even when I renewed my CHL twice.

You have had 2 renewals since that means this incident was more than 10 years ago. Thee was a lot of overeaction in the early days. An incident like this is less likely today than it was back them.

[Liberty]

I told them I'd be right back, that I forgot my stuff. When I went back in they (still talking with this guy) made a point of waving me through security. The guy turned beat red. IMHO I think he should have just taken them up on the police escort offer and left his gun in car.

The other gentlemen is perfectly within his rights to carry in there. Unless it is specific security area where prisoners are housed. Then the department is obligated to provide safe storage for his handgun.

[stevie_d_64]

So, if LEOS don't care to expose me as a CHL holder, how can I keep my passengers from knowing that I'm armed? Would it make matters worse if when asked for ID, and as I show my CHL, tell the LEO "yes, (meaning I'm armed) Please keep it private.(Meaning don't let my passengers know.)??????. I just don't want to let it be known that I carry. The less people to know. the better.

This is exactly one of the things that has bothered me for years about this provision in the law...You certainly want to keep the issue private as it should be...But it is difficult to accomplish this if you do not exit the vehicle to conduct business in stops like this...Most Law Enforcement I know prefer to have the occupant stay in the vehicle the entire time during the "stop"...

So if you are riding with a "mixed" crowd in the vehicle, and are not sure of how they are on the issue, you certainly do not want to advertise or be asked if "you have the gun on you right now?" question...

Most HPD encounters I have had over the years has been silent on the issue...They just hand it back and not say a word...But in some jurisdictions I know they ask, just because...

It certainly has an effect on people you might work with when you are on your way to lunch sometimes...And if the boss is with you...Sometimes it is positive, but the risk of it being a negative, especially in the tenuous employment environment we live in these days, it is something I would be concerned with...

Just my opinion...

[KC5AV]

Hopefully the legislature in Austin will smile up on us this session, and the obligation to provide our CHL will be removed. Of course it will take a while for word of that to filter down the LEO community. I can see it now. We will go from arguing that we don't have to provide it if we aren't armed to arguing that we no longer have to provide it.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Every once in awhile I have to go to the main HPD station in downtown to update permits. After passing through a metal detector you usually wait in a line to approach the "reception" desk officers. There is a big sign that states "have your Driver's Lic. or ID ready to show the officer at the desk" - yet I've watched folks ahead of me fumble through their pockets or handbags for these items after they reach the desk. Once presented the officers "run" them - presumably checking for warrants or what have you. And I've seen people arrested right then and there as they were not aware of oustanding tickets and the like.

Even though I'm not carrying, when I present my DL I hand them my CHL also and state clearly "I do not have my weapon with me". They will hand it right back but seem to appreciate the gesture. It saves them from having to ask the obvious since it's going to pop up when they run my license.

On that note I once noticed a "heated debate" between a CHL holder and a couple of Officers. Seemed the citizen wanted to enter the station armed ( legal? You tell me [please] , but worth debate when you have pressing business?) His rationale was that he "might need it in the parking lot when he left the station". As I walked to the elevator I heard one of the Officers offer to escort him to his car if he felt that scared .
(Before I get flamed I will admit I have heard of assaults or worse taking place in Police station parking lots - I thought about taking them up on the escort offer)

I got on the elevator and when I got to my floor I realized I had left some paperwork in my car and I only had 15 mins. to submit it or I'd have to come back the next day. I was worried that the line for the metal detector and what not would be too much of a delay but I went for it. The guy was still standing there arguing with the Officers! I told them I'd be right back, that I forgot my stuff. When I went back in they (still talking with this guy) made a point of waving me through security. The guy turned beat red. IMHO I think he should have just taken them up on the police escort offer and left his gun in car.

I had a very similar situation at HPD's downtown office that I don't want to publish on an Internet forum. It resulted in making a friend of a very good HPD Captain and getting more in the new "Law Enforcement Facility" portion of the Gov't Code.

Chas.

[mctowalot]

"Liberty" wrote "The other gentlemen is perfectly within his rights to carry in there. Unless it is specific security area where prisoners are housed. Then the department is obligated to provide safe storage for his handgun."

I don't know if the "safe storage" option was offered to the gentlman or not - but thanks for answering the question in my post (Legal or not - you tell me).

And Mr. Cotten I thank you as well for your efforts in regards to this matter.

Gentlemen, as often happens after posting, I stand humbled and educated!

Thanks again, mctowalot

[KRM45]

So, if LEOS don't care to expose me as a CHL holder, how can I keep my passengers from knowing that I'm armed? Would it make matters worse if when asked for ID, and as I show my CHL, tell the LEO "yes, (meaning I'm armed) Please keep it private.(Meaning don't let my passengers know.)??????. I just don't want to let it be known that I carry. The less people to know. the better.

Once you are pulled over you really don't have any control over how the encounter goes. You can be respectful and ask for discretion, and it may work, but it may not. The best bet is to not get pulled over in the first place. There is no way to make sure you don't inadvetantly commit an infraction, but being knowledegeable of the law, and being a respectful and courteous driver will help. Here is a link to the Texas Transportation Code: http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/tn.toc.htm There is a lot of information in there. It is pretty easy to run afoul of the law...

[rm9792]

Just curious but why would you have people in your car that you dont want to know? I cant remember ever having a rider I wanted it hidden from. If it is that big a deal they can take their own car. Also, if you have riders you want it kept secret from then wouldnt you drive more carefully, signaling and such? I know things happen but errors on your part can be minimalized.