TexasCHLforum.com

In the years since I got my CHL, I've received 3 performance awards from various agencies. Once, I was disarmed.

1: Under what circumstances? (ie traffic stop, you are the complainant, witness in a crime and asked for ID, ect)
Routine highway traffic stop. Going 10 over. The area was heavily patrolled, because the speed kept going from 55 to 65 and back. They obviously knew they'd catch people with their cruise control on... like me. The guy was able to point to the 55 sign behind me and I could see the next 65 sign ahead. That's how often it was switching. I'll never spend a dime in that county again. But I digress. I was alone in the vehicle, broad daylight. Well maintained vehicle, and I'm a clean cut professional, other than having a goatee. I was clearly not intoxicated or driving erratically. It was honestly the first time in my life I was thinking, "What the heck am I getting lit up for?"

2: Was the weapon removed from you? or were you allowed to remove it and hand it over to the officer?
My weapon was in a versipack messenger bag. The officer had me hand him the bag.

3: Did the officer state the reason for disarming you? if so what was it? (safety, serial number check)
He stated it was "for his safety."

4: Did the officer at any point say or indicate the disarming was a department rule, policy, recommendation?
No

5: Where did this happen and what department?
It happened on 175 between Athens and Jackson. I don't recall further details.

The officer did say, "Do you mind if I disarm you for my safety?" So I suppose that since I didn't really know my rights at the time, I just went along with it, but it did anger me. Now, I'd ask if he had a legal reason to disarm me, since he was asking instead of giving me an order.

I will further note that the urban legend of "being a CHL carrier says you're a good guy and you probably won't even get a ticket" has been proven false 100% of the time in my experience. I don't find a problem with this... I did the speeding, I understand the ticket is a risk... I'm just saying that I got no slack in any stop.