TexasCHLforum.com

txinvestigator wrote:

Big_Hitter wrote:Do I need to let the LEO know that I have a firearm in the vehicle?

Any bad consequences?

Thanks

Depends. Do you have a CHL? Is the "firearm" a handgun?

If it's not, he's got an awfully big console.

Big_Hitter wrote:

NcongruNt wrote:All that said, don't forget your wallet. If you can remember your gun, you should most certainly be able to remember your wallet. If this is troublesome for you, make it part of your routine to always pat your wallet when you put on your gun - whatever it takes to make sure the two are always connected.

the weapon pretty much stays in the console of my vehicle and I had just come home from work, changed and was at the driving range when I noticed I didn't have my wallet

I just didn't know what to do if I got pulled over on the way back to the house (4 miles away)

Thanks all

Don't get pulled over.

I can understand the predicament. I've got ADD tendencies and forget things a lot, particularly if something happens that's out of my ordinary routine, or there are too many distractions going on at once. This is why small things like what I mentioned above are so important to me.

Technically speaking, if you're in your car you are covered under the traveling clause, which should apply even if you left your wallet. Letting the LEO know is still important, IMO, as the question will come up anyway. Harris County may be one of the places where this can go bad, though.

BrassMonkey wrote:Jail I would imagine. Unless you get lucky... You ABSOLUTELY need to let the guy know you have a weapon. And tell him you are CHL too. He is gonna find out as soon as he runs your ID and crosses it with your DL.

This of course is only if you have a weapon.

I'd make sure to tell him you have a CHL even if you're not carrying. As I said previously, it's going to come up when he runs you for ID. It would behoove you to make sure there is no uncertainty and that he doesn't have to ask.

Big_Hitter wrote:Do I need to let the LEO know that I have a firearm in the vehicle?

Any bad consequences?

Thanks

Yes, you should in my opinion. He's going to run you for ID, and your CHL is going to come up when he does. You are required under your CHL to inform him as soon as you are asked for ID, and you're breaking the law if you don't. If he comes back after finding out from looking you up, I'm betting he's going to be awful miffed. If you forgot your wallet and told him, he might let you go (don't hold me to that). If you are carrying and don't tell him, you're most likely going to have some trouble.

All that said, don't forget your wallet. If you can remember your gun, you should most certainly be able to remember your wallet. If this is troublesome for you, make it part of your routine to always pat your wallet when you put on your gun - whatever it takes to make sure the two are always connected.