TexasCHLforum.com

Unless they are licensed as a peace officer by TCLEOSE in the state of Texas they do not meet the definition of "Peace Officer" in Texas. The statue reads that you are required to display your license when a magistrate or peace officer demands. Federal Law Enforcement Officers are not certified by TCLEOSE unless they pursue this certification and must be serving in this capacity not as a Fed.

Looks good to me, so use good judgement and enjoy the disappearing lake and be thankful that it's not a COE lake. Now the question whether or not you are required to inform LE (NPS or TX P&W) that you are armed when they do a no-notice inspection of your vessel and you have not been stopped for any violation or cause. The last time I was inspected they never asked for ID, just life jackets and fire extinguisher. NPS Rangers are not by definition Peace officers certified by the state. I don't believe the CHL statue mentions federal LE

The following is directly from the NPS Lake Meredith website, hopefully this will put this to rest. "It is unlawful to be in possession of a hand gun not being utilized as a primary hunting weapon (including a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun) during the entire hunting season in the boundaries of Lake Meredith National Recreation Area."

If you can tell me where those exceptions are in writting I would greatly appreciate it. I got into a long conversation over this subject with a Texas Parks and Wildlife Agent and he couldn't cite any document or current regulation. In the end of the conversation he agreed with me and promised to let me know if he heard anything to the contrary that was reputable. As far as hunting not applying to pistols, that is wrong as hunting with a pistol in Texas is legal and the lake follows Texas Parks and Wildlife regulations. I wish someone could produce some document concerning this subject but I really don't want 50 people calling the Park Rangers all that does is bring attention to a subject thats all about concealment. The only thing I can find is Texas Law concerning firearms and the NPS HQ refers to state law concerning every area except a national park.

Did the ranger give you a basis or reference for this? Lake Mer. is not a COE lake, the lake is managed by the NPS and is classified as a National Recreation Area it therefore follows state law reguarding firearms possesion such as hunting. I've researched this and I have yet to find anything federal or state prohibiting carry on the lake or the land surrounding.