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...Texas Gov't Code 411.205

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The requirement to display doesn't make it illegal to carry if you have a CHL but lost your DL. Texas Penal Code 46.15 says what we need to carry legally. It's right there in black and white.

...you asked...scoff at the law if you choose...

What's the penalty for failure to display? What's the penalty for unlicensed carry? Here's a hint...they're not even close.

...doesn't change the law...doesn't justify breaking it...the law isn't an opinion poll...

Scott in Houston wrote:Woohoo!!
It was in my wife's purse... have no idea why (maybe I should look into that? ) but I'm just happy to not have to fight the DPS lines tomorrow.

I will take your advice on a state ID. That's some sound advice there, and would save a lot of heart ache if I ever do lose it for real.

Is she trying to impersonate you??? Need a fake id to buy booze??? Got watch them wives,,,,mine just takes money out of my wallet and leaves me cashless without telling me....

Scott in Houston wrote:Woohoo!!
It was in my wife's purse... have no idea why (maybe I should look into that? )....

Good plan!

Ameer wrote:What's the penalty for failure to display? What's the penalty for unlicensed carry? Here's a hint...they're not even close.

Actually, that's an excellent point. I was painting with too broad a brush. At worst, you would be guilty of failure to display (since it would be an improper display without either a state ID or DL) rather than UCW. [Granted that failure to notify is now a crime without punishment]

Sorry--I didn't mean to slip into "Practical" vs. legal LOL. The actual code I'm referring to is (as mentioned above):

GC §411.205. REQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY LICENSE. (a) If a license holder is carrying a handgun on or about the license holder's person when a magistrate or a peace officer demands that the license holder display identification, the license holder shall display both the license holder's driver's license or identification certificate issued by the department and the license holder's handgun license.

And I'm thrilled you found the DL. I know there are DPS offices around Houston that aren't just swamped, but the last time I went through the process, it was about a 4 hour mess for me (I was fairly new in town, and didn't know where all the offices were, so I went to the one right around the corner from me.)

FYI: If you live in Jefferson or Orange counties the DL office at 711 Hwy 87 in Orange is not as busy as the one in Beaumont or Port Arthur.

The requirement to display only happens if a peace officer or magistrate asks for ID. It has nothing to do with the question if it's legal to carry a concealed handgun without a drivers license.

If I have my concealed handgun license but not my drivers license, I still get the benefit of 46.15, and it's legal for me to carry concealed when I shop at the grocery store, go to a restaurant, etc. However, if I'm not carrying my CHL card, I don't get the benefit of the 46.15 exception for CHL.

On my chl it has my DL NUMBER also, couldn't they run that if you lost your license?

agarcia82 wrote:On my chl it has my DL NUMBER also, couldn't they run that if you lost your license?

Good point, but the law still requires that you have the actual DL if asked.