Quote:
Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter
In TX you are not required to have a concealed handgun license to have a concealed handgun in your vehicle.
I keep my handgun in my center console, my driver's license in my wallet, and my proof of insurance in the glove box. Quite frankly, since none are in the same place, the officer doesn't need to know about the firearm in my situation since there's no way he would ever see it during the stop unless he searched my vehicle. And that's not happening considering I'm clean as a whistle.
|
Actually,
the cop CAN search your car. He may legally search around your immediate seating area. Essentially any area you can reach while sitting in the car.
Now, The cop must have a legal reason to do so. However, he can always say something to the effect of "The subject in question was making furtive movements under/around his seating area while I approached the vehicle." or "Due to my training as a law enforcement officer, the subject was acting in a suspicious and highly agitated manner leading me to believe that he was in possesion of weapons and or contraband."
Again both of these statements, or statements to the same effect are highly subjective, and very difficult to disprove.
Now, in your state of Texas, it May be legal to carry as you do, and it May be legal to not inform the officer, THAT IS YOUR RIGHT. However, AND STRICTLY SPEAKING ONLY OF MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND BELIEFS- that is RUDE, and IF I catch you, I am lighting you up. For the intitial infractions as well as the 6 or so other infractions I can always find. Most of which are very silly and petty, but if you are rude...
Also, from my own personal experiences and beliefs, if you let me know right up front that you are cool dude, and have a cool attitude, or you are an insanely hot chick, I am MOST LIKELY to let you go with a warning.
9 times out of 10 (excluding Parking, Accidents, Striking a Pedestrian, or Illegal Right on Red, all of which in my jurisdiction REQUIRED a ticket, i.e. NO discretion on the officer's part) attitude was everything.
Also understand that I am a HUGE supporter of 2nd ammendment rights. I am a lifetime NRA member, etc. so I am not at all anti gun.
I also worked in an extremely violent district with major gun crime issues.