carry without CHL

[sticky]

I've just moved back to TX about a year ago and I'm going for my CHL again.. its been expired for 4 years now.

Things have changed in the past years. I bought a new HK p2000 yesterday and walked right out of the store with it.. No waiting period or anything... sweet. Then, I'm hesitant to carry it in my car until I find that HB 1815 went into effect Sept 1, 2007 while I was away.

I'm thinking.. home run, now I only need the CHL to carry on my person around town when not walking to my car or to my house, but for running around to-from work I'm covered as I work in a scummy area and feel more secure with a weapon.

However, I'm still not comfortable with a pistol in my car if an officer pulls me over without CHL as I just feel more comfortable telling him/her I'm armed, but I'm not sure of their response as I understand its more of a case-by-case with the officers as to how they treat you on the subject. You can quote them the law, but if they had a bad day they still run you through the process.

Does anybody have any experience with how officers are responding to hp-1815 with civilians in cars carrying without CHL?

[Keith B]

I've just moved back to TX about a year ago and I'm going for my CHL again.. its been expired for 4 years now.

Things have changed in the past years. I bought a new HK p2000 yesterday and walked right out of the store with it.. No waiting period or anything... sweet. Then, I'm hesitant to carry it in my car until I find that HB 1815 went into effect Sept 1, 2007 while I was away.

I'm thinking.. home run, now I only need the CHL to carry on my person around town when not walking to my car or to my house, but for running around to-from work I'm covered as I work in a scummy area and feel more secure with a weapon.

However, I'm still not comfortable with a pistol in my car if an officer pulls me over without CHL as I just feel more comfortable telling him/her I'm armed, but I'm not sure of their response as I understand its more of a case-by-case with the officers as to how they treat you on the subject. You can quote them the law, but if they had a bad day they still run you through the process.

Does anybody have any experience with how officers are responding to hp-1815 with civilians in cars carrying without CHL?

sticky,

First off, welcome to the forum. You will find some great information here.

On your question, there has been a TON of discussion on car carry without CHL in the forum. I suggest using the search feature of the forum and finding some of the threads.

As for reactions, most agencies seem to understand the law and should not hassle you. However, there may be individual officers out there that are not in favor of it personally and be a little gruff it if they find you have it. However, it IS legal if you can legally own your firearm and keep it concealed in the vehicle.

One note, without the CHL, you do not have to disclose to the officer you have a firearm unless asked. However, if you feel it might come up during the stop, my feelings are always be courteous and say 'Mr. Officer, as a courtesy I want to let you know that I have a firearm in the vehicle' in a nice calm tone.

Enjoy the forum!

[TexCaboCat]

After September of 2007 it is perfectly legal to carry (out of sight) in your car anytime. You are also legally able to transport to and from you car, too.

[Rex B]

You are also legally able to transport to and from you car, too.

I thought it was "To" but not "From".
Did they fix that?

[LCP_Dogg]

What happens if you get pulled over and the officer asks you to step out of your vehicle? Do you disarm and hope he doesn't see and shoot you on the spot? Or do you hesitate and try to explain why? Or nothing?

For this reason, if I didn't have a CHL license, and wanted to be armed in my vehicle, I would keep it off my person but within reach, vs. on my person. Just a thought....

[TexCaboCat]

You are also legally able to transport to and from you car, too.

I thought it was "To" but not "From".
Did they fix that?

They did fix it. You can carry in your car, RV, boat (except core of engineers lakes) without any problems now. There were some problems in the past with the word "traveling" used in the previous law. Some counties were defining the word traveling as an overnight trip or more than two county lines past so they re-wrote the law to allowing for carry in your vehicle. But, it does have to be concealed.

[flb_78]

You are also legally able to transport to and from you car, too.

I thought it was "To" but not "From".
Did they fix that?

They did fix it. You can carry in your car, RV, boat (except core of engineers lakes) without any problems now. There were some problems in the past with the word "traveling" used in the previous law. Some counties were defining the word traveling as an overnight trip or more than two county lines past so they re-wrote the law to allowing for carry in your vehicle. But, it does have to be concealed.

What he is referring to is the way the law is written, you can only carry to your vehicle, not away from it. So when you get home, you have to leave your firearm in the vehicle!!

[GrillKing]

What he is referring to is the way the law is written, you can only carry to your vehicle, not away from it. So when you get home, you have to leave your firearm in the vehicle!!

I'll bet this is so you cannot remove your weapon from your vehicle UNLESS you are at home, a sporting event, hunting, etc, where UCW wouldn't apply and you can carry from the vehicle anyway. Seems redundent though as UCW would apply to carry from the vehicle even without this law. DELETED remainder of post..... Didn't make sense!!

[sticky]

geez... its much easier to just carry a loaded shotgun around and not worry about it.

I need to find one of those racks to put in the back of my vw window. That way if LEO comes around he will be preoccupied by the super black eagle in the back and not think about the pistol in my door pocket, and I will not worry about telling him there is a gun in the car.

[CompVest]

geez... its much easier to just carry a loaded shotgun around and not worry about it.

I need to find one of those racks to put in the back of my vw window. That way if LEO comes around he will be preoccupied by the super black eagle in the back and not think about the pistol in my door pocket, and I will not worry about telling him there is a gun in the car.

I like the concept! Only now I would worry that my vehicle is target for BGs to break into. Still I like the idea. lol

[LCP_Dogg]

Yes, good idea, but somehow the idea of my AR-15 in the back window of my Dodge Charger just doesn't sound that appealing, not to mention the loss of an already limited visibility (low roofline).

[Abraham]

A little clarification please.

I thought you could "possess" (for lack of a better word) a concealed pistol IN your car when exercising the Castle Doctrine, but I never considered it to mean carry it ON your person.

So, you can either keep it in a concealed place somewhere in the car OR wear it on your person? Either/Or?

(as a non-CHLer wearing it in the car is fraught with problems...)

[mr.72]

You can carry in your car in whatever manner you choose, provided it remains concealed.

On your person, glove box, center console, trunk, holster attached under the seat, etc.

Do some searches, this has been brought up many times and there is lots of detail you can find. But the short answer is, if you are in your car, you are not restricted as to how you have to carry other than hand guns must remain concealed.

[Abraham]

mr.72,

Thanks for the info.

[Keith B]

A little clarification please.

I thought you could "possess" (for lack of a better word) a concealed pistol IN your car when exercising the Castle Doctrine, but I never considered it to mean carry it ON your person.

So, you can either keep it in a concealed place somewhere in the car OR wear it on your person? Either/Or?

(as a non-CHLer wearing it in the car is fraught with problems...)

It is not the Castle Doctrine that allows this, but the Motorist Protection Act that went into effect Sept. 1 2007. And you can have it anywhere in the vehicle as long as it is concealed. Just be aware that if you have it on your person and have to exit the vehicle quickly and can't disarm, you will be illegal with no CHL unless on your own property or property you are in control of.