i don't get it.

[JohnKSa]

basically it is currently legal to have a gun in your vehicle either loaded or unloaded because the state shows no difference between the two, though it has to be concealed.

Long guns don't have to be concealed. Handguns must be concealed.

The penal code doesn't differentiate between loaded & unloaded guns, so if you can legally possess a gun, you can also legally possess it loaded.

do you have to be able to prove WHY you have the weapon in the car? for example "i'm on the way to the range, i'm on the way home from the range, i'm taking it to get serviced, i'm on the way to my ranch" etc? or can you just....... have it?

It's legal. Just like having a pen in your pocket or wearing a red shirt or driving a car on public streets with a driver's license. There's no law against it so you don't have to explain why you have it. Besides, if it's concealed, why would the topic even come up?

Now, legally, if you don't have a CHL, you are not required to tell him you have a weapon.. does that account for when he asks specifically? "Do you have any knives or firearms or drugs in the vehicle i should know about?"

Do NOT lie to a police officer. If he asks you any questions about the contents of your vehicle, you can either tell him about the contents of your vehicle, decline to answer, or you can answer that the contents of your vehicle are legal.

the officer says " do you have a weapon with you now?" and i say "No.. i don't" and he says "are you lying to me? slowly step out of your vehicle and place your hands on top of your head... do you mind if i look around?"

There's really no reason for him to start interrogating you about firearms. If he does, you can either answer or not, it's your choice if you don't have a CHL. If you do, then follow the laws that apply.

It's going to be problematic for him to arrest people for doing legal things. If he makes a habit of that he won't last long as a police officer.

You've always been able to carry a concealed and loaded gun in your vehicle in Texas under the "travelling" provisions of the state constitution, which was not defined and therefore not recognized by Harris County (and probably others)

The problem with the law was that the burden of proof was on the citizen. If you were caught with a handgun in the car, you could be arrested and charged. Then it would be up to you to prove, in court, to the state that you were travelling.

A couple of years ago, the Texas legislature changed the law so that if you are in a vehicle you are presumed to be "travelling."

That made it better. Basically it shifted the burden of proof to the state. While that law was in effect, the state, in the absence of evidence to the contrary was required to assume that you were travelling. However, a number of TX DAs grouped together and basically said that they were going to work around the new law and instructed officers in their area to ask questions at traffic stops which, if a citizen answered without thinking, could destroy the presumption of travelling.

That upset the TX legislature since it was clearly contrary to the intent of the new law and so they changed the law again. Now it explicitly states that it is legal to carry a concealed handgun in your car barring a few exceptions like engaging in illegal activity other than Class C traffic offenses, being a gang member, etc.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Someone has already mentioned Massad Ayoob's book. Mas also offers classes, called Lethal Force Institute.

Take one.

 

[SWglockmagnum]

john, awesome addition, thanks

 

[medalguy]

You haven't taken a CCL class yet. That shows from the questions you are asking. I can assure you, all of those questions SHOULD be covered in your class before you send in the paperwork for the license. If they are not, for any reason, you might want to ask those questions of the instructor.

I've been licensed in Texas since the very first and I've been to three classes. As someone said, I also take away something new every time also. I have also taken classes in two other states and carry permits from those states.

Even though we are no longer required to inform a LEO that we carry, I have been stopped several times for speeding, and I always hand the nice officer my CHL on top of my license, just so he knows right off the bat that I am carrying. I believe they appreciate the gesture, because I've had several of them comment "Thanks" and hand the CHL back. A couple of them asked if I were carrying, and if so where was the gun, then said just leave it where it was. I have never had any of them ask for the weapon, ask me to step out of the vehicle, or try to disarm me. Of course I'm not a teenager, and not riding around at 2 AM in a hot rod. I'm sure the situation makes a difference.

 

[JohnKSa]

Even though we are no longer required to inform a LEO that we carry...

Actually the law has not changed in terms of the requirement to inform. The only change was to eliminate the penalty for failing to comply.

 

[SWglockmagnum]

lol.. yeah i haven't been a teenager for a while now either but that thought still looms in my sub-conscience for whatever reason, though yeah, i can see how it really wouldn't be an issue these days.

and i am trying to sign up for the class on the 5th if they still have one available where i want to go. if not, i'll seek other options. and as stated im sure a lot of it will be mentioned at the class, its just good to ask others who have personal experience as well for their opinions.

 

[TenRing]

You will find yourself becoming more comfortable carrying as time goes on. If you have the right gun for you, it will be as natural to carry as your wallet has been all these years. If it doesn't feel natural, then you probably don't have the right gun for your situation.

Ask around your local gun community for training course recommendations. Handgun license training has become a cottage industry with wide disparity in quality from place to place. You will likely find a good course at a local range since range time should be a major portion of the course.

Continue taking courses after you get your license but be more selective and only take the best ones with a proven track record and many good references from reputable people. Good luck.