TexasCHLforum.com

seamusTX wrote:Never say, "I have a gun," or anything that could be construed as a threat. That phrase is a hot button for many officers (with good reason).

Let the officer ask you if he needs to know.

- Jim

BOTH Hands on the wheel ... don't move them. 'Officer, I am LEGALLY armed."

LEO: Where is it?

On my right hip, right above my wallet.

LEO: Leave it there. Do you have a CHL?

Yes, sir

LEO: Do you have it with you?

Yes, sir.

LEO: Go ahead and show me your DL and CHL

[Move hand slowly to wallet]

NO problem.

Very polite. Both of us.

(Yes, still got the speeding ticket.)

Spelling may not be your only problem. You may want to brush up on reading and posting on internet forums as well. The words that you quoted, '"My pistol is bigger than yours".' are not 03Lightningrocks' words, and they are sure not mine either. They were pulled out of context from remarks by TDDude in a post on page one.

huh???

lunchbox wrote:huh???

I had to look back to see what he was talking about. It looks like something got mixed up when you quoted some other posts. I have been known to make crude comments...but I didn't make that one... .

im still lost i never said anything about having a bigger gun

Texian wrote:Spelling may not be your only problem. You may want to brush up on reading and posting on internet forums as well.

You mean, such as quoting for context, instead of inserting a random reply several pages later?

Well, it happened to me this week (x2). The family and I were on a vacation trip to the Davis Mountains (Indian Lodge, snorkelling in Balmorhea). The S&W 642 was in my front cargo pocket of my shorts in a Nemesis holster. I was pulled over on Highway 17 in the mountains between Balmorhea and Fort Davis by a very polite DPS Trooper. Unrolled the window, 2 hands on the wheel, handed him my CHL, DL, and Insurance card. He said he pulled me over for no front license plate and for going 62 in a 55 (?). Probably just the front plate. He quietly asked if I "had my pistola", to which I replied "yes sir". He told me when he handed my licenses back that he spoke that way so as not to necessarily let my kids know I was carrying since he didn't know if I had filled them in (I haven't told them -- a 10 and 12 yr old, despite my warnings, would probably tell their friends). Gave me 2 warnings and sent me on my way.

Driving back home via the same route, I was pulled over again for no front plate. This time, I asked the trooper if there was something going on. He was down from San Angelo working a "special task force". I didn't ask the reason, he didn't offer. My guess is that they are pulling people over in that region for front plates, failure to signal, etc., and then checking for illegals, drugs/gunrunning, etc., since it seems to be a problem down in that part of the state from news reports. Again, I gave him all the credentials, he asked if and where I was carrying. I told him I was, he asked what I chose to carry, and we had a brief discussion. He said he always asks CHL holders out of curiousity mostly, and thanks them for taking on the responsibility of protecting themselves and their families. Off again with just a warning.

2 good encounters this week (if getting pulled over and then made fun of by your kids classifies as good).

Cheers.

03Lightningrocks wrote: They pulled me over because they thought I had a radar detector. My cell phone was laying on the dash and they saw the light from it.

Maybe somebody could make a cell phone that doubles as a radar detector. Oh, yeah, that's probably something for another forum.

E10 wrote:

03Lightningrocks wrote: They pulled me over because they thought I had a radar detector. My cell phone was laying on the dash and they saw the light from it.

Maybe somebody could make a cell phone that doubles as a radar detector. Oh, yeah, that's probably something for another forum.

Neither Trooper said anything about the Escort radar detector on my windshield during either stop.

camjr wrote:

E10 wrote:

03Lightningrocks wrote: They pulled me over because they thought I had a radar detector. My cell phone was laying on the dash and they saw the light from it.

Maybe somebody could make a cell phone that doubles as a radar detector. Oh, yeah, that's probably something for another forum.

Neither Trooper said anything about the Escort radar detector on my windshield during either stop.

AFIK, radar detectors are perfectly legal in Texas, provided you are not in a commercial vehicle. I don't use one, I just drive the speed limit.

camjr wrote:
Neither Trooper said anything about the Escort radar detector on my windshield during either stop.

I didn't look back to see where you were when you got stopped but radar detectors are legal in most States. Virginia has a real issue with them. I have heard stories of folks getting radar detectors that were not even plugged in confiscated there. I used to cross through Virginia when I was running back and forth to the east coast racing. I had mentioned the part about Virginia in my original post but at some point my post was edited and snipped down through quotes leaving out the Virginia part.

Best advice yet:

I would answer, be exactly as you should always be - courteous and compliant. Be sure to show your CHL to an officer when asked for ID, even if you're not carrying. The law doesn't require that, but that little bit of courtesy can go a long way toward defusing the situation.

I have been stopped twice, once by a Texas DPS officer, and once by a City of Irving Police officer. I simply handed them my DL and CHL. Each asked me if I was armed, and then thanked me for informing them. That was it. Both were courteous and professional after that. One gave me a ticket (which I deserved), and one gave me a warning. It has been my experience that if you treat a peace officer with courtesy and respect, it will be appreciated and reciprocated. If you look and behave like some character off the TV show COPS, you'll be treated accordingly.

boomerang wrote:I think 99% of traffic stop etiquette is the same after you get your CHL as it was before you applied and started your long wait.

The only difference is armed licensees are required to show the LEO our DL and our CHL when asked for ID.

This seems like this would be the wise thing to do.

-geo

ezypikns wrote:It has been my experience that if you treat a peace officer with courtesy and respect, it will be appreciated and reciprocated. If you look and behave like some character off the TV show COPS, you'll be treated accordingly.

This is a very accurate assessment of what you can expect.

It should not be interpreted to mean that if you behave like a respectful citizen the officer will never issue a citation. This is his call, but good behavior during the stop will give you the best chance that he'll decide a warning would be sufficient in your case.