TexasCHLforum.com

I would always show my CHL (If I didn't leave it my shorts...duh) and tell the officer I have a firearm. Just as someone said, out of common courtesy. I don't agree with the attitude of "If you tell me you have a gun, I'd be more inclined to let you off with a warning" though. It's a 2nd amendment right and as such, getting a citation for something shouldn't be subject to the temperament of the officer when informing him/her or not of exercising that right. I see it more as a safety issue. If the officer sees it for some reason, and I have not informed him that I have it, again....depending on the temperament of the officer, it could go badly.

I learned something about there being no penalty for not handing over the CHL immediately though. I did not know that. Thanks guys, you answered my question.

Thanks for the replies, guys. Very informative. So...I shouldn't wave my gun out the window, Yosemite Sam style, and yell "I have a gun!"?

Okay, I know what the law says but does anyone besides me find it odd that CHL holders need to go through this little routine when just anyone can carry in the car anyway? For what purpose does the officer need to see your CHL when he doesn't need to see one from Joe Public? Doesn't sound very well thought out to me.

So, if I'm reading this correctly, the requirements for a CHL holder are more strict than requirements for Joe Public? The reason I asked the original question was because I ride bicycles a lot and took my CHL out of my wallet and place it in my cargo pocket when I go riding so I don't have to carry my wallet. The other day, I forgot that I did this and neglected to transfer the CHL back to my wallet. I did not have it on me when I went to pick up my daughter but I did have my firearm on me. I was wondering if placing the firearm in my console would be okay. So, it's not a criminal offense but it's still on the books as a no no....got it. Seems silly to me that anyone can carry a gun in their car in Texas but CHL holders have an extra requirement when doing so, even though they've actually already been through more stringent background checks to begin with. Thanks for the reply.

New guy here...hopefully this hasn't been answered. I scanned the group but didn't see anything addressing it. Here's the question: I have a CHL. If I'm pulled over but my gun is concealed in the console and not on my person, is it required of me to still show my CHL to the officer? If so, why? If anyone, even those without a CHL, can carry concealed in the car, why is a CHL holder required to do more than the average citizen would have to do during a stop? Another question...If the car is considered an extension of the home, and I am not required to inform an officer at my doorstep that I have firearms inside my house, why must I do it in my car? Not trying to start any kind of argument, I'm genuinely curious.