CHL presentation question

[joe817]

Yeah, I hear ya!

[Afff_667]

I also keep my CHL and TDL together with my insurance card and all came out together and were presented the one time I've been stopped since getting my CHL. I wasn't carrying, either, but heeded the advice of my CHL instructor. I agree with all who have stated that it's simply "easier" all the way around to make this SOP during a traffic stop. I got the ticket I deservered, the DPS trooper was the perfect image of professionalism that I have come to admire in them, and he appreciated me presenting my CHL and informing him that I was not armed.

However, I can think of one excellent reason not to present my CHL when stopped and not carrying...because I DON'T HAVE TO. BY LAW, I AM NOT REQUIRED TO DO SO. It's that simple. It's not my responsibility to train LEOs, and it's certainly unethical (if not illegal) for one to threaten me with punishment for a violation/crime I did not commit.

Presenting when not armed as an effort to prove what a good, law-abiding person you are in hopes of getting out of the ticket you probably deserve is questionable, too. A CHL is a license to carry a concealed handgun according to the laws of the State of Texas and nothing more. Sure, it makes a comment on the license holder to some extent, but I don't agree with the sentiment that I should "take full advantage of it." It happens, and I don't think I'd question an LEO's wisdom at simply giving me a warning if I get stopped in the future...I am not crazy.

In practice, I agree with just about all of the reasons previsously mentioned that presenting even when unarmed is a good idea. Like I said, I've done it and will probably always do so. However, I feel the way I do because of all of the negative reasons and scenarios that I have read and heard about such as that one from the OP. I realize that there's often a disconnect between what would occur in a perfect world and what we experience in real life, but it would be nice if all of the good guys could and would understand and play by the same set of rules.

I am sure I'll get flamed on this, so I've dawned PBI drawers....

[firehiker]

I fully expected a ticket.
You're just pizzy because you got the ticket you deserved. HAHAHAHA!

There is a fine line between "I don't have to" and "I should probably..."

In many places it is not illegal to carry a shotgun while taking a walk...probably not a good idea to exercise that right in practice, however. Or exercising my right to crack my dark tinted window enough to slip my DL through the crack when getting pulled over at 3am on a dark, unlit street.
I liken this to the guy that is lying in a mangled pool of city bus-pedestrian-collision-bloody mess...on his back in the street, mustering up enough life to mutter "pedestrians have the right-of-way!"

You do what you do...and we'll do what we do. Why? because people like you do what you do.

that was fun...thanks for the opportunity! ha! ;^)

PS...I KNEW you were a firefighter at "PBI"

[SlowDave]

This discussion reminds me of a little Chris Rock video. [WARNING: Link is not 10 yr old daughter approved as it uses terms other than "posterior."] Keep in mind that this is intended to lighten the mood and is not intended as serious instruction. (Thought I'd include that for any humor-challenged forum members.)

[USA1]

[mikeintexas]

Pretty entertaining! The Chris Rock bit is funny!! Thanks for putting a smile on my face!

[firehiker]

that was great.

[geoelectro]

Hadn't seen that before. Hilarious!!