First LEO Encounter - Friendswood, TX

[GlennGAH]

I was pulled over late last evening while driving home from the local Wal Mart. The Officer said that he stopped me for not having a front license plate. Per what I learned in my CHL course, as soon as I stopped, I tured on my cabin lights, rolled down my window, and kept my hands on the steering wheel. As soon as he was finished speaking, I informed him that I was a valid CHL holder, armed, and said the weapon was holstered on my right hip.

He thanked me for telling him and I handed over my TXDL and other information. He was very nice and asked me about the "Veteran" annotation on my TXDL. He was unaware that the Great State of Texas passed Legislation a few months ago to where all honorably discharged Veterans can have their TXDL's annotated with "Veteran." He was prior service Army as was I and we spoke about our previous military experience. He handed me my informatioin back, asked me to get a front license plate, and told me to be safe and have a nice rest of the evening.

The one thing that I learned during this encounter is that our Law Enforcement Brothers and Sisters understand that we are on their side and they see us as an asset. I have seen the horrible Dash Cam videos of incidents where LEO's are attacked while pullling someone over. I drive frequently for travel and always keep a sharp lookout for LEOS's who have pulled someone over. When I drive past, I try to observe what is taking place. I am committed to covering their backs if there is ever an incident and I am close enough to assist.

God Bless & Protect our Law Enforcement Officers!

[Jumping Frog]

I thought a front license plate was no longer required in Texas?

[jimlongley]

He thanked me for telling him and I handed over my TXDL and other information. He was very nice and asked me about the "Veteran" annotation on my TXDL. He was unaware that the Great State of Texas passed Legislation a few months ago to where all honorably discharged Veterans can have their TXDL's annotated with "Veteran." He was prior service Army as was I and we spoke about our previous military experience. He handed me my informatioin back, asked me to get a front license plate, and told me to be safe and have a nice rest of the evening.

. . .

God Bless & Protect our Law Enforcement Officers!

I wasn't aware either, but since I have a renewal coming up next month, you can bet I'll look into it.

[TLE2]

The only thing I do differently is have my DL and CHL in my fingers as I hold the steering wheel. When officer sees CHL, they will ask if you are carrying. I know that you don't have to show CHL until asked but this saves me from having to say "I got a gun".

[stroguy]

A front plate is required. There was new language in the law that made it ambiguous as to what the fine can be. But you are still required to have a front plate.

[GlennGAH]

My CHL class was in January and the Instructor said that when a LEO runs your plate during a traffic stop, their computer alerts them that the registered owner has a CHL. I'm not sure how long this has been in effect and I did not ask the Officer during the stop.

[WildBill]

My CHL class was in January and the Instructor said that when a LEO runs your plate during a traffic stop, their computer alerts them that the registered owner has a CHL. I'm not sure how long this has been in effect and I did not ask the Officer during the stop.

I think your instructor was wrong. The CHL is linked to the drivers license of the CHL holder, not the license plate of a car.

[stroguy]

My CHL class was in January and the Instructor said that when a LEO runs your plate during a traffic stop, their computer alerts them that the registered owner has a CHL. I'm not sure how long this has been in effect and I did not ask the Officer during the stop.

I think your instructor was wrong. The CHL is linked to the drivers license of the CHL holder, not the license plate of a car.

X2

[jbirds1210]

A front plate is required. There was new language in the law that made it ambiguous as to what the fine can be. But you are still required to have a front plate.

I agree. The "license plate" law is located in the Texas Transportation Code and again in the Texas Administrative Code with slightly different wording.

Jason

[Tbucher1218]

My CHL class was in January and the Instructor said that when a LEO runs your plate during a traffic stop, their computer alerts them that the registered owner has a CHL. I'm not sure how long this has been in effect and I did not ask the Officer during the stop.

I think your instructor was wrong. The CHL is linked to the drivers license of the CHL holder, not the license plate of a car.

X2

I have heard this also but think it pulls license information of registered owner.

[gringo pistolero]

A cross reference might work assuming you're not driving a company car, your girlfriend or boyfriend's car, your parents' car, etc.

[magillapd]

CHL info only comes up when a person or DL is ran, not vehicle. And then, only Texas CHL shows up in Texas only.

[alvins]

friendswood police arent that bad. If your doing somthing that requires more then 1 officer expect atleast half the police on duty to show up.

[The Annoyed Man]

The one thing that I learned during this encounter is that our Law Enforcement Brothers and Sisters understand that we are on their side and they see us as an asset. I have seen the horrible Dash Cam videos of incidents where LEO's are attacked while pullling someone over. I drive frequently for travel and always keep a sharp lookout for LEOS's who have pulled someone over. When I drive past, I try to observe what is taking place. I am committed to covering their backs if there is ever an incident and I am close enough to assist.

God Bless & Protect our Law Enforcement Officers!

A noble sentiment, and one that may well get you shot by the officer who is in trouble, or shot by his backup brother officers who are on their way to the scene. If I were you, I would work out WELL in advance exactly how you would insert yourself into such a situation without alarming the cop and bringing bad juju down on your own head despite your best intentions.

Look, I'm not knocking how you feel about it, and I think that most of us here have it at least in our hearts to want to be helpful in such a situation if we could do so without making things worse either for the cop or for ourselves, but your CHL is not a batman license. You are probably far more useful if you take a position behind cover (not concealment) and help with communications by calling 911 and providing them with an independent witness as to what is happening, and to whom. Only involve yourself as a shooter, or as a physical aggressor if you have no other alternative to save your own life, or if the officer in question ASKS for your help, or he's down and out of the fight and about to be killed. I'm betting that most of them won't ask, because it is not in their nature to drag citizens into danger, and doing so is neither in their job descriptions nor in their department policies.

Just my 2¢.

[GlennGAH]

You have a valid point and it's well taken. My hope and Prayer is that I will never have to unholster my weapon other than to fire it at the shooting range or clean it.