CHL does NOT get you out of a ticket

[BigBlueDodge]

Why do some folks think that having a CHL will get you out of a ticket?

When I was taking my CHL class, my instructor was quite adament that police officers were more friendly to CHL holders, and tended to give them more slack than regular folks. Well, I had my CHL for about 5 months before I got to test that theory. I was going dove hunting, and pulling a trailer with 2 ATV's on the back. I had bought the trailer from a guy specifically for the ATV's. As I was pulling into a gas station, a DPS patrolman was just bout to pull out. As soon as I parked, he whipped around and pulled right up behinid. He got out and we were having some very casual small chit chat. Then he informs me that he is going to ticket me because my trailer has farm tags and I was using it for non farm related reasons. The guy I bought the trailer from months before had registered it as a farm trailer. I honestly never though much about it because I've never had any vehicle/trailer registered as a farm trailer.

Well I thought for sure this would be an instance where my "Good ol' CHL" status might buy me a free-be. As it turns out, the officer wasn't impressed in the least bit. I got a $125 ticket for having farm tags on the trailer and using it for non farming purposes. I was EXTREMELY polite the whole time. So, I'm guessing if I didn't get a pass for the CHL, that pretty much no one else would.

[longtooth]

Didnt help me either.
Short story
July of 006 found out I had cancer & was going to SA to tell my son instead of calling on the phone. CHL & cancer did not help me. dont speed.

BTW they got it all.
Thank you Lord.

[dac1842]

The CHL is a license to carry a weapon. nothing else. it does not exempt any of us from any laws, it does not carry any special priveleges and it does not make us quasi law enforcement. I even had one CHL holder make the ignorant comment that we have been through the same background check as a police officer. The background we go through is no where near what a police applicant goes through. I know, I have been through the LEO background check. But back to the focus of this thread. Always expect to get cited if you get pulled over, always be courteous and if you get off, thank the officer for his courtesy and go on down the road.

[tesla]

The CHL is a license to carry a weapon. nothing else. it does not exempt any of us from any laws, it does not carry any special priveleges and it does not make us quasi law enforcement. I even had one CHL holder make the ignorant comment that we have been through the same background check as a police officer. The background we go through is no where near what a police applicant goes through. I know, I have been through the LEO background check. But back to the focus of this thread. Always expect to get cited if you get pulled over, always be courteous and if you get off, thank the officer for his courtesy and go on down the road.

Does this mean I have to return my cape, mask, and tights?

[aaronlalonde]

I sureley did not mean to turn this into a debate. I was speeding and got caught. Since I got caught I deserved the ticket. My commenyt about getting some slack was more in jest than a complaint.

Of course I had my license, chl and insurance ready, window down and radio off by the time the officer got to my window. I even pulled off into the grass so he could walk in the shoulder instead of the freeway. Tuens out he was walking up on the passenger side. My passenger window was down before he got there. When i hadnded him all three items with chl on top he kinda of chuckeled, and aked me if i was carrying to which i said yes sir and indicated the arm rest console.

Luckily with internet defensive driving and a cell card, I can take the course on my next trip out to clute to work!

[Locksmith]

No longer valid

[A-R]

I was a true "believer" in this for the first 5 years I had my CHL. I was pulled over at least twice per year and NEVER got a single ticket. Ever. But most of those were in smaller towns, Highway Patrol, local sheriffs etc. State Troopers especially seemed very quick to issue a warning to me as a CHL holder. And I'd received plenty of speeding tickets from Troopers officers BEFORE my CHL. As soon as I started living again in larger cities (San Antonio at the time) and traveling for a job to every large city in the state, I started getting speeding tickets again.

I am - and always have been - extreemly courteous to LEOs in any traffic stop. Stop car, roll down window, turn on dome light, turn off engine, hands on steering wheel. I had never thought to tell LEO BEFORE presenting my TDL & CHL that I have a CHL and gun. Usually when they see the CHL they ask about the gun, I tell them, and that's it. One Trooper asked my permission to remove my gun from a center console in my pickup and for me to follow him to the patrol car (likely because my wife was still in the pickup). But there were no problems, he issued me a warning, returned the gun to me, and that was that.

A few LEOs have been "interested" or even "impressed" when I tell them I have a gun in my front pocket - one actually said "really, you can fit a gun in there?" He asked what it was, told him it was a Kahr PM40 (my pocket carry gun at the time) and we chatted about whether I thought the gun would make a worthwhile choice for a backup weapon for him. Needless to say, I got off with a warning for that speeding violation.

But I do not "expect" to ever "get out of a ticket". I just treat the LEO with utmost respect and hope for the best. Saying "Sir" and "Ma'am" goes a long way too. These men and women are OFFICERS with very stressful and difficult jobs. They deserve to be called "Sir" and "Ma'am" by any citizen.

CHL is by no means any sort of "Get Out of Jail Free" card. But the "respect" most CHL holders have amongst LEOs (we've been background checked and are held to a higher legal standard than the average motorist) combined with a very respectful attitude toward the LEO during a traffic stop can go a long way toward convincing the LEO that you're a stand-up citizen who made a minor mistake and deserves only a warning.

[Rocket_Cowboy]

CHL is by no means any sort of "Get Out of Jail Free" card. But the "respect" most CHL holders have amongst LEOs (we've been background checked and are held to a higher legal standard than the average motorist) combined with a very respectful attitude toward the LEO during a traffic stop can go a long way toward convincing the LEO that you're a stand-up citizen who made a minor mistake and deserves only a warning.

This.

My stats regarding warnings vs tickets have improved greatly since getting my CHL, but I don't attribute it to the CHL itself. Having gone through the CHL class a couple of times and understanding what the LEO will get when they run your license and what they're going through, I'm now one of those people who informs the officer of my CHL status before reaching for any paperwork. I will tell the officer I have a CHL, am currently carrying, where the weapon is in relation to where my wallet/license are, and then ASK permission to reach for my wallet or whether the officer would prefer to disarm me first. I've gotten one ticket since first getting my CHL, but have had a few stops that turned out the other way. Looking back, I was a real goad to LEOs before I went through my first CHL training (bad advice given while growing up, along the lines that making the LEO nervous increased your chances of just getting a warning ... NOT!), and I think that attitude adjustment has done me well.

[dihappy]

You are absolutely right...It does not give you anything but maybe a free bowl of soup somewhere, and I haven't found that place yet...

Residing yourself to the fact that you should get a citation, just because, puts you in the proper, mature frame of mind (attitude) when the inevitable happens...Just have "all" the stuff ready to hand to them, "Yes Sir/Ma'am, No Sir/Ma'am"...And you should be ok...

This has worked for me for years...And the fact that I carry has never, ever been any kind of issue spoken or not in any traffic stop I have been in since...

But if you have a body, or bundle of funny stuff in the trunk...We'all...I don't think much can help you there pard'...

I too have resigned myself into accepting a ticket if pulled over for speeding. However, i must say that my CHL may have been the determining factor in my last 2 stops.

Previous to my CHL, i have never been let off with a warning.

[MAFWG]

Prior to getting my CHL I had not received a ticket for over 15 years, although I had been stopped at least a dozen times. I credit this to being polite and obviously concerned for the officer's safety.

However, since getting my CHL I have been stopped twice ...... and was ticketed both times for speeding (which I deserved). Since I had lost my warning mojo, I decided to slow down. Now I don't get stopped AND I don't get tickets! This new approach works even better than being polite.

MAFWG

[stevie_d_64]

Well, you can only assume that your CHL got you out of a ticket...

The last stop I was involved with I still got a ticket...

I survived...