Motorist Protection Act

[Animal Cop]

Does this apply to people that are coming from another state, or just to Texas residents. Can anyone provide a link to the Motorist Protection Act. Thanks in advance for the help.
Animal Cop

[seamusTX]

It applies to any person, regardless of residency.

Here is a thorough discussion of it, including a link to the text of the bill:
http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... =23&t=7834" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[Animal Cop]

Thanks for the response.
Animal Cop

[seamusTX]

If you have friends coming from out of state, please urge them to really understand this law, particularly the concealment requirement.

Some states allow you to carry a handgun openly in a vehicle, and some require it to be visible if you don't have a concealed-carry license. Someone from one of those states could get into trouble by following the rules that they are used to.

The old traveling exception still exists, but so do the old questions about what constitutes traveling.

- Jim

[bdickens]

My understanding of the Motorist Protection Act is that it eliminated the "traveling" bit and just made it legal to carry a handgun in your car period (assuming, of course, that you are a law-abiding citizen in the first place).

Chuck Rosenthal is my hero!

[seamusTX]

The traveling exception has been there as long as it has been a crime to carry a handgun in Texas. It applies to people who are walking, riding a bicycle, riding a horse, or using any other means of transportation.

It is pretty much irrelevant to someone who is driving a motor vehicle.

- Jim

[stevie_d_64]

Chuck Rosenthal is my hero!

Dead bananahhh

[Rex B]

The traveling exception has been there as long as it has been a crime to carry a handgun in Texas. It applies to people who are walking, riding a bicycle, riding a horse, or using any other means of transportation.
It is pretty much irrelevant to someone who is driving a motor vehicle.

- Jim

So are you saying that the same rules that now allow pretty much unrestricted motor vehicle carry applies to someone biking, or hiking, or riding a horse, CHL or no?

[seamusTX]

No, I am not saying that.

A traveler can carry a handgun (or "illegal knife" or club). You just have to convince the police that you're a traveler.

The Motorist Protection Act specifies motor vehicles.

- Jim

[mls700]

I'm going to print a copy of the Motorist Protection Act and keep it in my glovebox.
It would not surprise me to learn that some police officers don't know the law.
Be a Boy scout and stay prepared

[seamusTX]

Welcome to the forum. Please introduce yourself.

It can't hurt to carry around a printed copy, but after three years I suppose most officers know the "new" law.

The few cases of harassment that have come to light probably would have gone down the same regardless of what the person had said or shown to the police.

- Jim

[mls700]

Thank you for the welcome Jim.

I'm 52 yrs young, grew up in Pasadena,Tx. spent 3 yrs at Fort Bragg, NC as an 11B1pp4. (Infantry - anti-tank, TOW)

I've just purchase my first handgun in 20 years. It's a Glock model 22, 3rd generation. It was on sale at the local gun show for $485.00

Anyway, I went shooting last week and realized that this is a lot of fun and I'm still a pretty good shot. :tiphat

For the last 29 years I've worked at the same chemical plant doing engineering work.
My kids are grown and not it's just me and my wonderful wife. She is excited about going shooting with me and acquiring the CHL.

[seamusTX]

Good luck with everything. The MPA is a good law as far as it goes, but I think everyone who is eligible is better off with a "good guy card" (CHL).

- Jim