TexasCHLforum.com

camlott wrote:

There are a range of opinions on this board, running from "I'm not showing my ID (or CHL) to anyone whether I'm armed or not because I am a sovereign citizen and the cops can go to hades,

Why would someone that falls into this category even bother with getting a CHL in the first place?

Perfectly good question. I actually have a friend up in OKC who carries regularly and refuses to get his OK permit for those reasons — which means that his behavior is actually consistent with his declaration. On the other hand, he's also a retired LEO (in his 70s now) and he may have the privilege to carry concealed under that authority, for all I know.

M1A wrote:Am I to understand if the firearm is not on my person I don't have to present my CHL or mention that it is locked in my vehicle? If the LEO was to run my DL and see I was a current CHL holder (assuming he was not informed beforehand). I would not be violating any laws because the firearm was not on my person, correct?

I know I am not required to present my CHL if I don't have a firearm on my person, though I would if ever pulled over for a traffic violation, etc. I just wonder if its something worth mentioning due to my close proximity to the weapong in a circumstance such as this.


I just want to avoid any possible situation if something similar to this was to occur. To be clear, I would not be bringing a weapon anywhwere it was not permited in the first place and I would not be drinking or inebriated while carying a weapon on my person. The people I accociate with are not violent, stupid people. SOME do however get loud at times, this could draw attention by the law.


Thank for the continuied assistance,

You are correct, in that you are not required to present your CHL to an officer unless you are armed and he/she asks to see your ID.

There are a range of opinions on this board, running from "I'm not showing my ID (or CHL) to anyone whether I'm armed or not because I am a sovereign citizen and the cops can go to hades," to "I will show my ID (and CHL) whether or not I am armed and whether or not I am required to, as a professional courtesy to people who are performing a difficult job," and all the degrees between those two extremes.

To each his own, but I personally tend to fall into the second group. You have to decide what is right for you.

M1A wrote:I recieved my CHL a few months ago and have been wondering a few things.

Say I was camping at the lake in a state park. I have my pistol locked in my vehicle during the day (during water activities, etc.). I would probably leave it in there until I hit the tent for bed. If some friends or acquaintances got loud or stupid enough to draw attention and the Police came to investigate and I was somehow tossed into the mix, what next? If I was intoxicated and they asked for ID from everyone. I of course show both CHL and DL and they ask if I have a gun on me, do I tell them "no" or do I inform them its in my vehicle? Would saying its in my vehicle open me up for more problems?

I am not loud and don't cause trouble, but I can see a situation similar to this happening at some point in my life and I am wondering what the correct course of action would be. Keep in mind I would not have a firearm on me while consuming alcohol.
Also, is having a firearm in your tent covered by The Castle Doctrine?

Thank in advance

Is this a Corps of Engineers lake? If so, you may not have your gun on your person, in your tent, or in your vehicle under any circumstances. My answer would be, show them your TDL. You're not required to show the CHL unless you are armed (which would be illegal on COE land). Now, if they run your TDL, they're going to see that you have a CHL, and they may give you grief for not presenting it. If they do, you're on your own for choosing to carry into an area where it is forbidden by law, because that line of questioning is almost certainly going to lead ultimately to a search of your car, whether or not you give permission.

I'm not endorsing any of of the above government nonsense, but if firearms are barred by law from a camping area, your two best choices are A) leave the gun at home, or B) don't go there — particularly a camping area where there is a high probability of drunken hijinks by other campers. If I can't carry my gun into my campsite, then I'm not interested in camping there. Simple enough. Therefore, I have yet to camp on a COE lake anywhere... ...and I live about 5 miles from one.