Do Off-Duty LEO's Open Carry In Texas?

[Abraham]

They did when I was a teenager, but it certainly wasn't common.

In my small town, we had one city cop who open carried when off duty. He was the only one to do so in a force of approximately fifteen officers.

He was known as something of a cranky, odd duck. He would grocery shop in the store I worked in after school. Weekly he could be seen pushing his shopping cart, pistol on hip, wearing a perpetual scowl. He never spoke a single word.

I think he used his pistol as an accessory to prevent conversation, (and it worked) but I digress...

My questions: Do (some?) off duty LEO's still open carry in public? (I haven't seen it done since the sixties)

Or, is it verboten even for LEO's?

[seamusTX]

I used to see LEOs in plain clothing carrying openly around the Galveston County courthouse and jail, mostly in restaurants. They usually had a badge attached to the holster itself or their belt.

I say "used to" because almost nothing around the courthouse is in operation now.

I saw one as recently as this month in Kroger.

- Jim

[Keith B]

Most departments I am aware of require it to be concealed if off duty. However, I think legally you can carry in plain clothes with a badge (and NOT a CHL badge ) displayed. The ones I have seen in plain clothes are detectives on lunch/dinner break, or going about their regular duties during the day. Even in the open carry state I came from our department required you to carry concealed when off duty in public and plain clothes unless you were on a special assignment, then you wore your badge displayed on your belt.

[grim-bob]

Do they have to have a CHL to carry concealed when off duty or is it covered under a different law? Just curious what the law is.

Funny semi-related story yesterday while at Bass Pro. Local officer comes in to do some shooting. The guy at the range counter get's all excited cause the greeter didn't tie the officer's gun that was brought to shoot. It's understandable for him to be upset for an employee not following the company rules. BUT then he opines that the greeters just don't know the intricacies of the law and how they don't care that his carry sidearm is concealed under law but that the gun he brought to shoot is clearly not concealed and now illegal. !!!The gun was in a case!!! You could see no part of it so it was very concealed in my opinion. This on top of the fact the the concealment laws have nothing to do with being able to transport to/from the range.

[seamusTX]

LEOs are exempt from PC 46.02 and 46.03 at all times, so they can carry concealed or openly whether on-duty or off.

You are also correct about the range. Anyone can carry a handgun in any condition to and from a range or sporting event in which it is normally used.

These exceptions are in PC 46.15.

P.S.: All this applies only to Texas. Some states place more restrictions on what LEOs can do off-duty.

- Jim

[JLaw]

My questions: Do (some?) off duty LEO's still open carry in public? (I haven't seen it done since the sixties)

Yes, some still do. My bro-in-law is a Montgomery County Sherriff's deputy, he frequently open carries in public while off duty. Handgun on right hip, spare mag on left hip, handcuff case in the rear, and badge in the front on his belt. I've seen several, but not many, off-duty LEO's carrying openly around here.

JLaw

[waterpump1]

I was in a cafe in Tyler, Texas last week there was at least 20 LEO's open carrying they did have badges displayede on belt next to gun.

[carlson1]

Most LEO will display the badge on the belt when they open carry. DPS open carries a lot or did in the 80's and early 90's and displayed NO BADGE. I know several men from local PD's here that open carry, but with the badge displayed. I recently preached a funeral for an LEO and half the crowd (100-125) where open carrying, but with badges on belts.