Peace Officer means ,,,

[zigzag]

In the Texas penal code, peace officer can mean what, police or sheriff officers only when asked to show ID? how about a police officer working parttime in a supermarket store? a federal officer in a SOcial Security building? a DEA or Border Patrol Agents asking for identification when driving thru El Paso highways? Is one still obliged to show his CHL to them?

[longtooth]

Dont forget Gamewardens, City Marshals. Basically, if they have a uniform & badge I will give it to them & declare my weapons. If it is illeagle I will sort it out later.
Never argue w/ the badge.

[seamusTX]

The definition of peace officer is given here, with extensive discussion.

Off-duty police officers who are in uniform and working for a private party are in a fuzzy legal area. Personally, I consider them the same as on-duty, because they can arrest me.

- Jim

[nuparadigm]

...or Border Patrol Agents...

Texas does not consider BPA's to be Peace Officers. The other border states do.

[4t5]

Never argue w/ the badge.

Just step right in this here boxcar. We're going to take you to a relocation camp for your own safety.

[frankie_the_yankee]

Never argue w/ the badge.

Just step right in this here boxcar. We're going to take you to a relocation camp for your own safety.

The example you give is not really relavent to the current situation here in TX or anywhere in America. And if it ever DID come to that, nitpicking over who qualifies as a peace officer would be the least of our troubles.

[txinvestigator]

In the Texas penal code, peace officer can mean what, police or sheriff officers only when asked to show ID? how about a police officer working parttime in a supermarket store? a federal officer in a SOcial Security building? a DEA or Border Patrol Agents asking for identification when driving thru El Paso highways? Is one still obliged to show his CHL to them?

Peace Officer in the penal code has the meaning given in the Texas Code if Criminal Procedure. It means persons licensed in TEXAS by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer standards and Education. It includes City cops, Sheriffs and deputies, the DPS troopers, Constables, School district police, hospital district police, police of any legal taxing entity (like the Dallas Area Rapid Transit), Game Wardens, Investigators of various agencies
http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/do ... tm#2.12.00

It does NOT include Federal officers of officers of other states.

There is NO obligation to show your CHL to the DEA or Border Patrol agent.[/url]

[seamusTX]

(34) officers commissioned by the State Board of Dental Examiners under Section 254.013, Occupations Code, subject to the limitations imposed by that section.

Every time I see this list, I think of one of the charges against King George III in the Declaration of Independence:

He has ... sent hither swarms of Officers, to harrass our people, and eat out or substance.

- Jim

[DSARGE]

Whether or not a Fed Officer/Agent is considered a peace officer makes no difference if I declare my CHL or not. Besides, they are Federal, thus higher on the food chain. If they are a Law Enforcement/Security Officer and the situation dictates, I will let them know I am legally carrying. My experiances with all the above tell me that 1) You are in a field interview or similar circumstance and they discover on thier own that you are carrying without knowledge of your legality, you may become a human pretzel, or they draw on you. 2) It puts EVERYONE involved at ease. Besides, why not tell? Some may argue that it is none of thier business, but what real threat is it to you if they know you have a CHL or not. To me, the pro's of informing them far outweigh the negatives that could occur by not informing and them finding out on thier own. However, I understand both sides.

[LedJedi]

to my knowledge there is generally no problem with informing folks you are carrying in general (I know this is being discussed in another thread too) so long as it's done so in an un-threatening manner.

in my mind the real question would not be "do i reveal that I'm carrying". It would be "do they have the right to disarm me?"

As I understand it any peace officer has the right to do that, but they are required to return the weapon before discharging you from the scene.

This brings yet another question to mind though... Are there major factors in deciding if an officer confiscates your weapon for a shooting (justified)? I've heard it both ways and it seems pretty much up to the discretion of the officer. Some seem to take the weapon as evidence and others will let you keep it if it seems the use of force was justified.

[Venus Pax]

Yes, they have the right to disarm you. I hear that they typically don't, but they can.
It makes me very uncomfortable. I don't like the idea of having to hand my gun to anyone.

[stevie_d_64]

Never argue w/ the badge.

Just step right in this here boxcar. We're going to take you to a relocation camp for your own safety.

uh ohhhhhhhh...