Stopped By Police in Greenville Texas

[julric95]

My wife and I are new CHL holders. This past weekend we were headed to an IDPA match held by CCIDPA and were lost. She made an illegal left hand turn from a right hand turn only lane after checking that it was safe. Well, we immediately were pulled over. She presented her DL and CHL. The officer immediatley asked if we had weapons in the car and she obliged, yes we do, on the way to the range. He ceased the weapons, called in the serial numnbers (it took some time because of the weapons being stowed in range bags inside a pistol sleve but at the end of the day he sent us on our way). The question I have , although the officer asked if he could seize the bags is, what should we have done. At the end of the day, no ticket just some directions to get where we intended to go, but I felt like because we were CHL holders although not carrying concealed at the time, it was a serious process (they were unoladed since it is a cold range, and I was not carrying my concelead weapon at the time) what should we have done.

My concern is, since getting the license I carry a hot weapon most of the time. Meaning, registerd to me, loaded with one in the chamber. If I had been doing so at that particular time what course of action should I take. Sorry about the dumb question but I moved from a state where concealed carry is absolutely not allowed.

[matriculated]

My concern is, since getting the license I carry a hot weapon most of the time. Meaning, registerd to me, loaded with one in the chamber.

What do you mean "registered" to you?

Oh, and my understanding is that referring to a weapon as "hot" generally indicates that it's been used in a crime.

And as for your question, just hand over the DL and CHL, and then follow the officer's instructions. Keep your hands visible and don't, under any circumstances, reach for your weapon. You're good.

[AEA]

He means he does not know what he is talking about.....

[CC Italian]

If he asked for your permission I would personally say no. He is looking for a reported stolen firearm. I have been pulled over twice and asked for my id while carrying but not driving once now since getting my chl in jan of 08 and I have never been disarmed or had any firearms checked. Sounds like another one of those towns to not get pulled over in if you ask me.

[Beiruty]

In your CHL class all those questions should have be asked and answered.

In short, if you are carrying loaded pistol and have a CHL.
After being stopped by LEO and asked for ID:
1) Hand over both DL AND CHL and state" Sir, I would like to let you know that I am carrying my firearm. How do like me to proceed?"
2) Follow the instructions from the officer.

[CC Italian]

Ownership of a firearm in Texas is having it in your possession pretty much. This isn't New Jersey and it doesn't matter if you are carrying your fathers gun, best friends gun, strangers gun etc. You are in control of the firearm when carrying doesn't matter!

[Glenn61]

I would have done the same thing you did. I've heard some say things like--you don't have to tell them--since in Texas you can carry in the vehicle (in a glove box or trunk) without even having a license. I've also heard that LE can't search unless they have probably cause or you allow them to. Either way, I've also been warned that if you tell them--you might be subject to the type of situation you just experienced. Every police officer reacts differently--some are experts at handling CHL users and some not--meaning they might not fully understand (or dislike) the program. I don't have my CHL yet but I do regularly take my firearm to the range--by storing it in the glove-box or trunk--in both cases unloaded. Every case is different and difficult to call. My view is that if it makes you (or the officer) feel comfortable--what do you have to lose--except a little time? The last thing I want to do is get on his bad side. On the other hand, I could get an officer who despises CHL holders and chooses to make an example of me. It's a tough call. I would hope that if I show respect for his authority/safety--I will get treated the same way. You'll find a lot of different views out there.

[Glenn61]

In your CHL class all those questions should have be asked and answered.

In short, if you are carrying loaded pistol and have a CHL.
After being stopped by LEO and asked for ID:
1) Hand over both DL AND CHL and state" Sir, I would like to let you know that I am carrying my firearm. How do like me to proceed?"
2) Follow the instructions from the officer.

[matriculated]

I would hope that if I show respect for his authority/safety--I will get treated the same way.

I have found this to be the case in 99% of my dealings with the police. I always put emphasis on making him/her feel safe. When they pull you over, they don't know if you're an honest citizen or a criminal who's about to dispatch hot lead in their direction. I always roll both my front and back window down on the driver's side, make sure to pull over far enough off road so that the officer isn't standing too close to the road when he walks up (I've seen too many videos of distracted drivers plowing into cops and pulled over cars), keep my hands on the steering wheel, if it's night I put the dome light on, I address him or her as "officer," etc. I find that I get very good treatment no matter what my infraction was, and have multiple times been let off with a warning when a ticket was warranted. All this is notwithstanding the 1% who give the others a bad name...

[CC Italian]

Read up on your CHL book! I had a friend who recently asked if he could borrow a handgun on a trip out to west Texas. I said sure and gave him my P95 after taking him to a quick range visit so he was familiar with it. He asked if he would get in trouble if he got pulled over because the gun is "registered to me" I just shook my head and laughed but I guess since he only owns a shotgun for home defense and isn't a big gun guy he just didn't know. Firearms are not registered in Texas! Proof of ownership is your receipt if you have one.

[speedsix]

...and proof of ownership cannot legally be required if it's in your possession and you've not broken any law...any LEO who runs it in NCIC and finds it not listed stolen must give it back to you...if nothing else is involved, such as being arrested...

[apostate]

He means he does not know what he is talking about.....

I'm always amazed at first posts like these but I suppose I shouldn't be anymore.

[C-dub]

I'm about ready to step in it big time since the OP hasn't returned yet. Most of us are aware that a LEO may disarm us for their safety, but what about taking other guns out that are being transported in closed cases to run serial numbers? That doesn't sound okay for a speeding stop. Maybe most of you know this answer too, so it could just be me.

[speedsix]

...I personally don't mind if he runs the guns I'm CHLing...if and while he's "holding them" for his safety and mine...but not cased guns...that's a search...and I'm not sure that he has the right to run the CHL guns in NCIC...I just know it's not that big a deal to me and MANY crimes have been solved by running a gun found on a traffic stop in NCIC...so I'm personally for it...it's a fine line...but not a faint one...

[C-dub]

...I personally don't mind if he runs the guns I'm CHLing...if and while he's "holding them" for his safety and mine...but not cased guns...that's a search...and I'm not sure that he has the right to run the CHL guns in NCIC...I just know it's not that big a deal to me and MANY crimes have been solved by running a gun found on a traffic stop in NCIC...so I'm personally for it...it's a fine line...but not a faint one...

Thanks. That didn't sound quite right, but not only am I not a lawyer I am also not nor have I ever been a LEO.