Have/Would you ever use your CHL as a genearl purpose ID?

[Purplehood]

I show my TXDL and my USAR ID card. That should suffice in my case.

[stash]

The only two forms of picture ID that I have are a DL and CHL. I guess if I had to, I would show the CHL. I wonder if you have a CHL can you have both a DL and state ID card and would both be linked to your CHL?

[agbullet2k1]

I have about 5 forms of photo ID, from school to federal, so it takes a special case to get to the CHL, but I did have to use it a couple times at airports when I first moved to TX and all I had was my temporary (non photo) DL. My passport was expired and MIA, my school ID apparently wouldn't cut it with TSA, and my federal badge was in my carry-on already going through the scanner. The TSA agents looked it over and didn't even bat an eye. My wife said it was the first time she had gone through security without getting the full search.

[Luggo1]

I was forced to do this in the St Louis airport once....I don't recommend it...

[pbwalker]

I had to this weekend actually. I was going through the border patrol checkpoint on Highway 57 just north of Eagle Pass. I was holding my drivers license and when I was about 2 cars behind the check, I dropped it between the seats. So I had to grab my CHL and use it. No problem whatsoever.

[psycho_bob42]

I used to work as a cashier at a home improvement store. This happened when Texas became a SHALL issue state. I guy was paying with a check, I asked to see his ID. He handed my his CHL and stood back and smiled at me. He obviously was proud of it. I told him I needed to see an drivers license or Texas ID. He said that the CHL should be good enough. I told him I hadnt been trained to recognize a valid CHL, only DL or Texas ID cards. He was upset and shoved it back into his wallet and pulled his id out.

[SC1903A3]

Yes, It was the only option available to me

I was applying for credit on a purchase and the store said they wanted a second form of ID in addition to my DL. She went bug eyed on me when I gave it to her. I got the purchase.

[Kurt_S]

I had an experience like another poster on this thread did. I was going to a meeting at a large international oil company here in Houston, had been there many times before and knew the drill. Signed in, told the security desk who I was there to see, handed over my business card and what I thought was my TDL. The female security receptionist looked at it and looked at me like I was a Klingon storm trooper in full dress uniform or something. She asked me if I had a TDL- I realized what I had done and tried to hand over the TDL without looking embarassed or stressed.

I might add that this place is posted 6 ways to Sunday, 30-06 and "No Weapons" signs all over the place.

Kurt

[Smokewagon]

Technically, it's probably not valid as ID. Even LE wants to see a DL or ID card in addition to the CHL.

[Ace_Inthe_O]

Is it a valid ID being that you have you carry both a DL and CHL when carrying? Anyway I thought it would be amusing once to use it for ID when going through the San Francisco Airport (SFO). TSA found it less amusing then I did and they called over a 2nd agent to come look at it. I was then asked who issued it (I proudly said the state of Texas) and if I would be carrying on the flight today. I told them no not today. They then asked me how I was able to get this "type" of ID (I dont think they even knew what a CHL was) and I explained to them that it was more difficult to get then a drivers license which is especially true in California where they give anyone a drivers license. After that they let me through with out ever asking for another form of ID. I have shown it at DFW many times and it is treated just like any other ID.

[BigBlueDodge]

I don't know. Showing your CHL when you have other forms of ID (namely a DL) seems an awful lot like boasting. It's almost like the people who have a Centurian American Express (aka the black Amex). The people who get those, really don't need a credit card when they could just flat out pay cash. In my opinion, they get it to let other's know of their status. There's nothing that will quiet a dinner crowd quicker when someone pulls out the black credit card to pay.

Not many would admit it, but I bet there are a fair amount of holders that are somewhat of a braggard of their status as as CHL holder. Posts like psycho_bob42, demonstrate they are out there. When I first joined the forum, I made a rather bold post where I discussed the apparent "machoism" that I observed with my CHL class members, and I took a bit of heat over it. But it is there. Go to any gun show, and it is VERY easy to get the CHL crowd to show themselves. It typically goes like this..

Two guys who don't know each other are looking at pistols, and one guy says to the other... "boy that Sig is a nice gun". The other guy, unprovoked will say, "yeah, it's a nice gun, but I generally carry a Glock". And then the guy will pull his Glock out of his IWB and show the other guy and start talking about the virtues of when/where he carries it. This scenario happens at EVERY gun show without fail. Some CHL guy will openly let other people know that he carries with little to no provoking. While I'm proud to be a CHL holder, I don't feel a need to make it a point to let other's know I have a CHL, unless specifically asked. As a result, my behavior would be to not use my CHL as any form of identification.

I was under the impression that a Texas CHL was not an "official" form of Identification, and was thus not recognized in the same manner as a DL or TX Identification card.

[atxgun]

Two guys who don't know each other are looking at pistols, and one guy says to the other... "boy that Sig is a nice gun". The other guy, unprovoked will say, "yeah, it's a nice gun, but I generally carry a Glock". And then the guy will pull his Glock out of his IWB and show the other guy and start talking about the virtues of when/where he carries it. This scenario happens at EVERY gun show without fail. Some CHL guy will openly let other people know that he carries with little to no provoking. While I'm proud to be a CHL holder, I don't feel a need to make it a point to let other's know I have a CHL, unless specifically asked. As a result, my behavior would be to not use my CHL as any form of identification.

I don't see anything wrong with this. You're in an environment where you know you're around others you can discuss it with. I don't see talking about CHL related things at that venue much different than talking shop on this forum.

Edit: I would see something wrong with pulling out your concealed weapon to show it off. I just meant I don't see anything wrong with discussion there.

[Bily Lovec]

my credit union refused my CHL once.

they knew me but insisted on an ID due to rules and my CHL was on top so i grabbed it and showed it to the cashier, she said that wouldnt do and wanted a DL, i argued and commented that the CHL was much more difficult to get than a DL and asked for the manager on duty.

I showed my DL but told him them should realize the CHL is state issued and more strenious background checks ran than a DL.

[Oldgringo]

Inasmuch as we don't ordinarily have our Passports on us, our CHL's are our secondary photo ID. What's the big deal?

[Ace_Inthe_O]

I don't know. Showing your CHL when you have other forms of ID (namely a DL) seems an awful lot like boasting. It's almost like the people who have a Centurian American Express (aka the black Amex). The people who get those, really don't need a credit card when they could just flat out pay cash. In my opinion, they get it to let other's know of their status.

Actually American Express cards are not credit cards they are charge cards which you must pay off each month and can not carry a balance. So although yes they could pay with cash why would you want to carry all that cash around when you can just have a piece of plastic(actually titanium) ? [/rant]