OK guys got a question.....

[aj's 40 cal]

say the girlfriend is driving and stoped by local pd for somthing minor like a tail light out.

shes not carrying, but has her permit, i as the passenger am carrying my firearm and have a permit. do i need to inform the officer as quickly as i would if i was the one driving?? or do i just keep quiet untill if/ when he speaks to me? how would you handle the stop?

i live in texas so im hoping fellow texans will help. thanks!

 

[Switch]

Go up to the top of this page and click on permit info, then click your state. The info there is sketchy at best but in reading it, it sounds like the officer has to ask first rather than your volunteering info. But best to check it out by contacting the Atty. General's office in Texas for a specific answer.

 

[Ed Hamberger]

Exact same advise I would have given Switch...

 

[Camerondavidl]

This is a grey area. The law in Texas states that any time you are stopped by an officer and asked for identification you must first state that you are carrying a permitted weapon before reaching for any ID. It is a safety issue for you and the officer. As a passenger there is quite a chance that you will not be asked for your ID. (Therefor you are not subjected to this law)
There is no actual law that states you must if you have no interaction with the officer.
With that said. I did take a bit of time to think about this. I have been around law enforcement all of my life with both parents retired police officers. I know how stressful and unsure a "routine" traffic stop can be. Personally, I think that unless asked for ID or given any reason to reach around, there should be no real reason to draw attention to your concealed weapon.
The law is black and white and there is no law that says you have to announce your carry status in this type of situation. It is completely up to you as to what you do "if" this situation comes up.

 

[Bkc1972]

Law changed 1/1. Not obligated to tell leo if carrying. CHL is tied into drivers license and registration. Officer will ask the driver a general question like, "Is there a firearm in the vehicle?" this requires a yes.

 

[aj's 40 cal]

ya ive read the info on the page, and know what to do if im the one driving, but seeing as im not driving or being asked questions, i didnt think i would need to bring it up unless the leo asked if there was any guns in the car, then i would offer my chl and tell him where on my person the gun is.

thank you for the replys, sometimes the girlfriend askes questions i never thought of, and this is why i love this site so much!

oh and bkc1972~ i didnt hear about the laws changing, can you point me to where you saw this info?? thanks.

 

[Bkc1972]

GC 411.205 - This is on page 28 of Texas CHL book. Translated to you don't have to inform unless asked. This book is a free download from Texas.gov. TexasCHLforums.com also has great info.

 

[Bkc1972]

If you are carrying and asked for ID, you must show CHL. Law change in 2009 or 2010. This is law that CHL instructor quoted when I got my CHL in Oct 2010.

 

[mrjam2jab]

I don't know the answer to the question involved...but I do know:

TX law changed only in that there is no penalty if you don't inform...the must inform is still there.

 

[Big_Guns]

I'm not from Texas, but do have an opinion. IF you are going to reach for your CCP, I would FIRST inform LEO I was carrying, and ask if it was ok to get my ID out. If LEO sees a weapon while you are getting your license or whatever out, and you had not warned him/her first, bad things could happen fast.

 

[Smokewagon]

The requirement to notify if carrying and asked for identification is still there. Only the penalty for not doing so has been removed, since Sept 1, 2010. A Texas CHL is only cross referenced on a DL, and not vehicle registration.
In a traffic stop like that, the officers business is with the driver. Don't say or do anything unless asked.

 

[handgonnetoter]

That is an excellent question. I know that Texas is one of ten states that require you to inform the LEO if you are armed, but I never thought about the passenger. If I were the passenger I would not say anything until called upon by the police, then if they asked if I was armed then I would show them my permit and tell them I was armed.