I have been pulled over a number of times with my CHL (each time I was carrying) and only once (pre-CHL) when I had the pistol loaded but in the center console.flintknapper wrote:nitrogen wrote:OK folks: Disarm != Confiscate. If you're stopped, if an officer deems it necessary (and whats considered necessary is a discussion onto itself, lets skip that for now) he or she can remove the weapon from your custody for the duration of the traffic stop.
After the stop, they must return it to you, unless they make an arrest.
Now if you get arrested, of course they can confiscate your gun and CHL if both are material to your arrest.
EDIT: Beaten by seconds by TXi.
Apparently, (according to more than one account) they can also remove the magazine (if so equipped), empty the chamber, empty the mag., hand you back the whole mess afterward....and request that you not recharge the weapon until after they have left??????
I don't know if taking it to that level is "legal" or not, and I've only heard of a few accounts of this happening. Sure irks me though.
Anyway, I'm taking this off topic.....sorry.
The only time the pistol was temp. taken from me was when I was a non-CHL with it. The state trooper asked where it was, if it was loaded (yes) and if there was a round in the chamber (yes).
He took the pistol out of the console, dropped the mag, ejected the round, and ran it to see if it was stolen.
I was giving a warning for not having a front plate I believe and given everything back. He did NOT hand anything to me. He placed the pistol with the slide open, full mag, and the round that was chambered back in the console and asked me not to touch it till I stopped again.
I continued my drive, he pulled a U-turn and I reloaded.
During each pullover as a CHL.....they never took the pistol or asked to see it. They just assumed I had it on me or nearby.
I also have not been cited a legit ticket (had one was dismissed for police confusion/oversight) since I became a CHL.
Becoming a CHL was a great decision I made after watching a ESPN special on pro athletes who LEGALLY carry and have defended themselves. It gets you thinking.....