What to do in WVA

[chasfm11]

Sorry, but I'm trying to work through some hypothetical situations. I understand that WVA is not a reciprocal CHL State with Texas. We have relatives there and may be visiting. WVA takes speed traps to a whole new level and there is always the possibility of getting caught in one. Let's suppose that I do.

Now what?

I understand what I'm supposed to do in Texas. I also understand when and how a Texas LEO finds out that I have a CHL (when my plastic finally arrives). To me, the last thing that I want to do is hand the WVA LEO my CHL, even if there isn't a gun in the car. If I don't show it to him, will he find it out on his own? Would it be the same in IL?

[jester]

AFAIK the Texas CHL information is not shared across state lines.

[chasfm11]

AFAIK the Texas CHL information is not shared across state lines.

Thanks for the reply. Our daughter is a police dispatcher in Bedford, TX. What she told me is that the CHL info shows up when a "regional wants and warrants" search is done against the DL. I'm assuming that any LEO, anyplace can perform that search. She said that her officers always do that search in her city but other States may not perform the same search and, as you point out, may not get the same results.

I had this discussion with her because I didn't want her to be surprised if a search against the registered owner of her vehicle (me) turned up my CHL information and got her a bunch of extra questions. We travel a lot and there is always the possibility of a traffic stop in a non-reciprocal State. I'm just trying to understand.

[aaangel]

AFAIK the Texas CHL information is not shared across state lines.

agreed!
I go to morgantown WV 2-3 times a year. My sister is a 2nd year resident @WVU.
best thing after you get your TX CHL, is to acquire a PA License to carry. then you should be good to go!

[Oldgringo]

Sorry, but I'm trying to work through some hypothetical situations.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is your friend where you can research your questions state by state. Give it a look...please.

[chasfm11]

Sorry, but I'm trying to work through some hypothetical situations.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is your friend where you can research your questions state by state.

I do understand the link and did read it before I posted this thread.

I saw the section where it said "anyone with a valid concealed permit can carried concealed for self defense purposes only." I still new enough at this to be looking for something like "from any issuing State" to clarify that the valid concealed permit doesn't apply to WVA or reciprocal States only. I also saw the provision for OC in a vehicle but the disclaimer on that was enough to make me want to avoid it. The rest of the language appeared to read like the Federal transport rules. Being highly conservative, I'd probably opt for the latter. I saw nothing any place that required me to disclose as it does in the Texas regulations.

I'd still like to get back to my original question. Assuming that I were using the Federal transport method, and were stopped on a traffic violation, I'd not be inclined to tell the LEO that I had a gun on board. I'm not carrying concealed and I don't want to add more to the traffic stop than I need to. If he were going to find out about the Texas CHL anyway, the I'd better tell him, even though I'm not carrying concealed.

I also read the information on IL and decided that, without a FOID card, I was definitely under the Federal transport rules only. This is exactly the place were the LEO being informed that I have a Texas CHL might open up a line of questions that I'd rather not. There was nothing on disclosure in the IL writeup either.

I do understand that all these different State gun laws are more fuzzy area than clear definition. I can read all of this stuff and think that it makes sense and that I understand it
To take off on one the the other threads, I might be in the middle of my own Dunning-Kruger effect. There is no substitute for someone else sticking there hand up and saying "be there, done that."

[tomc]

West Virginia does not honor a Texas CHL, so I would not carry concealed there without some other reciprocal permit. WVa does not issue non-resident permits. WVa does, however, recognize a permit, resident or non-resident, from Pa. With a Tx CHL, you can get a Pa non-resident permit for $26 and it only takes a few days.

You may also open-carry in WVa without any permit. If you do, though, be careful because LE anywhere will respond to a "man with a gun" call; you will probably beat the rap but you will take the ride if the cop wants you to!

Go to http://www.handgunlaw.us/ for more info.

[08thunders]

I hear the New River Gorge is pretty.

[chasfm11]

West Virginia does not honor a Texas CHL, so I would not carry concealed there without some other reciprocal permit. WVa does not issue non-resident permits. WVa does, however, recognize a permit, resident or non-resident, from Pa. With a Tx CHL, you can get a Pa non-resident permit for $26 and it only takes a few days.

You may also open-carry in WVa without any permit. If you do, though, be careful because LE anywhere will respond to a "man with a gun" call; you will probably beat the rap but you will take the ride if the cop wants you to!

Go to http://www.handgunlaw.us/ for more info.

Thanks. I guess I figured that it would be a lot more difficult than that to get a PA CHL. $26 and a couple of stamps is definitely worth it. I have to wait until I get the Texas plastic first.

I read the disclaimer on the WVA OC. Nope, I don't want to take a ride Not going to do it. WVA has the dubious honor of being my last speeding ticket. I wouldn't trust my luck in that State.

I'm still curious, however, about whether or not an out of State LEO can do the regional wants and warrants pull and see the Texas CHL. I'm going to see if one of our relatives in PA can get one of the local LEOs there to run my DL number after I get my plastic. Inquiring minds want to know.

[chasfm11]

I hear the New River Gorge is pretty.